A regular central heating and cooling system usually has an air filter that you change regularly. It’s often located at or near the indoor air handler or furnace. With a mini-split, though, every indoor air handler will have either one or two reusable filters. It’s very important that you clean them every two to four weeks. If you don’t, they will become clogged, which can lead to numerous performance issues.
Restricts Airflow Through the System
When the air filters on a mini-split are dirty, this ends up restricting airflow. If you put your hand over the air vent, the air may feel weaker than usual, even if you have it set to the highest fan speed. And since there’s less airflow, this can make your living spaces uncomfortable. Some rooms may stay much warmer in the summer or too chilly in the winter, leading to you constantly adjusting the thermostat.
Cause the Mini-Split to Run Longer Than Normal
The restricted airflow can also lead to a mini-split that runs longer cycles than normal in an attempt to keep the living spaces at your desired temperature. Every time it runs longer cycles, it adds more wear to mini-split equipment, including the blower motor, compressor, and fan motor. Over time, the extra wear can lead to premature breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Increases Your Heating and Cooling Costs
When a mini-split runs longer cycles because of dirty air filters, it also means the equipment is consuming more energy to keep the home comfortable. Therefore, it’s not unusual to see increases in your heating and cooling costs despite no changes in your temperature settings or usage habits. This is why experts often recommend cleaning the air filters first when you notice an unexplained increase in your energy bills to see if it fixes the efficiency problem.
Increases the Risk of Frozen Coils
The evaporator coil on each indoor air handler needs steady airflow at all times to effectively absorb heat. Dirty filters restrict this airflow, which is why moisture on the coil may become so cold that it starts to freeze over. You don’t ever want to run a mini-split with a frozen coil because it raises the risk of damage and efficiency issues.
How to Clean the Air Filters
As we already said before, most mini-splits need their air filters cleaned at least once every two to four weeks. To do this, you’ll simply turn the air handler off and open the front panel. There will be either one or two filters to remove. Once you have them out, you just rinse them with lukewarm water and then let them completely dry before reinserting them.
The two- to four-week timeframe is a basic rule of thumb. Checking your setup’s manufacturer guidelines is the best way to learn how often your system needs its filters cleaned. If you have concerns or require ductless mini split services, contact Champion Comfort Experts in Hendersonville, NC.
