Does Your Air Conditioning Circulate Clean Air?
During the summer time, you might want to close up and use your air conditioning units – and even though you might need to close your windows and doors and reduce airflow from outside, your device could be enough to purify your air without any additional help
How can an AC unit provide clean air?
While the main purpose of these devices is to provide you with cool and fresh air, you can’t overlook the fact that they also have filters to decontaminate the air that they bring in from outside. This can range from dust to pollen, and while cheaper filters may not catch as much, higher-quality ones are likely to greatly reduce the amount of allergens that can reach your indoor rooms.
While a proper ventilation system is generally an important part of having clean indoor air, AC units with good filters that are regularly cleaned can often do an excellent job of removing any unwanted particles from travelling inside.
How often should you clean your filters?
If you are intending to use your air conditioning for cleaning out allergens, it’s important that you freshen up and change out your filters often to prevent them from getting clogged up with dirt – a very common issue that some individuals don’t even realize is a problem. Some people may believe that dirt can help the filters to work better, although it’s important to know that it actually makes it far more difficult for the machine to provide clean air as the dust can decrease airflow and cause more dirt and particles to pass through.
It’s also worthwhile to remember that the evaporator coils tend to need cleaning too, although some may need an expert (there are many units that don’t require a skilled individual though).
How to prevent AC pollution
Research on old and poorly maintained air conditioning units has shown that a lack of care can result in health issues, like respiratory difficulties, and they can even allow diseases to be spread. To prevent this, you may need to learn how to look after your air con device – and the good news is that it doesn’t have to be too much of a challenge at all. Here are some of the things that you should consider:
• Clean it regularly (for filters, once every two weeks. For coils, at least once a year)
• Read the manufacturer’s instructions before changing filters
• Replace your unit every 10 years (unless it becomes faulty before then)
• Hire an expert to perform annual maintenance checks
Overall, as long as you look after your air con, you shouldn’t have to worry about outside particles and chemicals getting inside, not to mention pollutants that are already indoors.
Refrigeration and air conditioning engineer with over thirty years hands on experience.
