Although most people use disposable air filters in their HVAC system, opting for a reusable filter can save money. Unlike a disposable filter, however, you need to clean reusable filters periodically, which can be time-consuming. You also need to make sure you’re careful when cleaning the filter so that it lasts as long as possible or else it could end up costing more than disposable filters. In this article, we’ll explain the best way to clean a reusable filter and also compare reusable and disposable filters to help you decide which option is the best choice for your home.
Tips for Properly Cleaning a Reusable Air Filter
Cleaning a reusable air filter isn’t difficult, but you need to clean it thoroughly so that it doesn’t clog again soon after the cleaning. It’s also important to clean it gently or else you could end up putting a hole in the filter, in which case you’ll need to buy a new one.
Before removing the filter to clean it, shut your HVAC system off. You never want to run it without a filter in place. The face of the filter will usually have quite a bit of dust, lint, and hair on it, and you want to try to remove as much of this debris as you can before washing the filter. You can try to remove everything by hand, but a more effective option is to use your vacuum. If you do choose this option, you want to make sure to use the brush attachment so that you don’t accidentally damage the filter.
After the initial cleaning, the next step is to use warm water to rinse the filter as well as you can. Using your kitchen sink sprayer or a sprayer on your garden hose will work best to rinse away all the debris. We’d then recommend using a soft-bristled brush and warm, soapy water to gently scrub both faces of the filter to ensure it gets fully clean before rinsing it again.
The last step is to set the filter aside and wait for it to completely dry before putting it back in place. Putting a filter away while it’s still damp could lead to mold and mildew growth, negatively affecting your indoor air quality as your HVAC system circulates fungal spores throughout your home. If mold is growing on the filter, you’ll then need to take extra steps to fully clean and disinfect it or the mold may quickly return.
If you decide to opt for a reusable HVAC air filter, it’s a good idea to buy two of them. If you only have one, leave your HVAC shut off while washing the filter and wait for it to fully dry before replacing it. If you have two, you can pop the second one in and turn your HVAC back on immediately before cleaning the other one. This is especially useful during hot Texas summers when your home could quickly get too hot if you have to shut your air conditioning on for any period.
How to Know When to Clean Your HVAC Air Filter
Cleaning or replacing the air filter is one of the most important parts of maintaining your HVAC system. The basic recommendation is to do it every 90 days at the very least. However, many HVAC systems will benefit from having the filter cleaned or replaced more often. In Texas, you’ll have times during the winter months when you can go longer without cleaning or replacing the filter since your HVAC won’t run much.
Nonetheless, experts recommend always removing and checking the filter monthly so you don’t ever wait too long to clean or replace it. If you have a reusable filter, the main thing to check is how much debris is on its face. If you can wipe most of the debris off and the filter still looks fairly clean, you can wait at least a few weeks before fully cleaning it. If you instead use disposable filters, the main thing to check is if the filter is starting to look dark or black since this indicates it is nearing cleaning time.
You also need to regularly check your vents to feel how much air is flowing out of them. If you notice that the airflow is starting to be weaker than when you last cleaned or replaced the filter, the filter could be overly dirty, restricting the airflow and forcing your HVAC system to work harder. Longer cooling or heating cycles can also indicate your filter is quite dirty, but this is a less reliable measurement since it can also indicate your HVAC has various other issues.
Comparing Reusable and Disposable Air Filters
If you’re trying to decide whether to invest in a reusable air filter or use disposable air filters, the first thing to know is many of the reusable filters on the market are low quality and not efficient enough. That means you can still end up with much more dust and debris passing through the filter and getting sucked into the central part of your HVAC. This can then eventually lead to poor performance and decreased energy efficiency. Using a filter that isn’t efficient enough can also lead to frequent breakdowns and potentially cut a few years off of the life of your HVAC system.
The efficiency of most HVAC air filters is rated using the MERV scale. For residential HVAC systems, you always want to use at least a MERV 6 filter. Opting for a MERV 8 filter is even better since it will trap more debris and work to protect your HVAC system more effectively. If you have anyone in your household with allergies or are concerned about indoor air quality issues, you should go with at least a MERV 10 filter. On the other hand, you generally never want to use anything higher than MERV 12 in a residential HVAC system. If the filter is too efficient, it could restrict airflow excessively and create similar poor performance and decreased efficiency issues as when running the system with a dirty filter.
The choice between using reusable or disposable air filters mostly comes down to price versus convenience. Buying a quality reusable filter will cost more upfront, but it will also save you money in the long run since it should last five to 10 years. The main benefit of opting for disposable filters is that it will save you time since it only takes a few seconds to remove the dirty filter and slide the new one in. You also won’t need to worry about shutting your HVAC off like you do if you have one reusable filter.
Contact Us for HVAC Assistance
With many years of professional experience, On Time Experts is the home service company you can trust for all your heating, air conditioning, indoor air quality, and plumbing needs. We serve customers in Garland and throughout the Dallas area and are ready to answer any questions you have about which type of air filter you should use. If you have any questions or need any home comfort service, contact us to get the expert advice and assistance you need.
