What You Need To Know About Hepa Filters (Can You Put It In A Window Air Conditioner?)

You might be wondering if you can install a HEPA filter in your window air conditioner after hearing about them.

HEPA filters greatly restrict airflow, hence they shouldn’t be utilized with window air conditioners. You already have an air filter in your window air conditioner, but it doesn’t work as well as a HEPA filter at removing dust and dirt particles.

Given that HEPA filters are more effective at catching allergens and pollutants, it does make sense for some of us to consider replacing our standard air conditioner filters with them.

What Distinguishes A HEPA Filter From A Regular Air Filter?

A standard air filter is made to remove dust and other particles from the air by trapping them in a mesh-like structure. Only dust and pollen can be filtered by an air conditioner air filter. This will ensure that there are no obstructions to the ventilation inside your property.

A HEPA filter, on the other hand, filters the air in a different way. It works by trapping microscopic particles in a web of pleats in addition to dust particles. These tiny pleats enable the filter to capture minuscule particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Using a HEPA filter has clear advantages. It might be challenging to breathe through your nose because of all the allergens floating around if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions.

You may prevent those allergens from entering your lungs by installing an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your house.

Why Are HEPA Filters Incompatible With Window Air Conditioners?

The airflow through your window air conditioner system will be significantly decreased if you install a HEPA filter. You’ll observe that the air conditioner’s circulation is degraded. This is caused by how tightly and finely the filter’s mesh is knitted together.

Without adequate airflow, your AC unit will use more energy and the compressor will have to work harder, which is bad for the longevity of the device. Due to the restriction in airflow, cold air will begin to condense on the coils and eventually freeze them.

Due to decreased efficiency, a frozen evaporator coil won’t be able to efficiently chill your home as much as it could.

It’s likely that your air conditioner is restricting airflow if you’ve observed it running a little bit louder and/or less effectively than usual. Perhaps it’s time to clean it.

Therefore, if you wish to use a HEPA filter to filter allergens, you must get an air purifier that contains one.

How To Keep High-Quality Clean Air In Your Home?

It’s crucial to maintain regular air cleaning if you reside in an area where there is a lot of dust. They ought to be cleaned at least once a month, according to the US Department of Energy.

Your air conditioner will have to work harder because of a dirty air filter, which will shorten its lifespan and decrease performance. Keep your air conditioner clean and well-maintained if you want it to last as long as possible.

If you want a HEPA filter to be installed in your home to filter the air that is circulated throughout it, you may also purchase a standalone air purifier.

How Is A Window AC Air Filter Cleaned?

1. Take the air filter off. A window air conditioner’s air filter is often located behind the front panel. Depending on how your window air conditioner is made, you can either grab the air filter and pull it out or snap the front panel out.
2. The air filter should be cleaned with a cleaning solution. You can use white vinegar and a mild soap solution, although the first choice is ideal if you don’t want the vinegar smell.
3. Allow the cleaning solution to soak in and completely dissolve all the dirt and dust particles by letting it sit for a time.
4. With clean water, clean the air filter. Forcing the dirt out of the filter is best accomplished using a high-pressure garden hose.
5. Reinstall the air filter in the air conditioner after drying it off.

How Can You Tell Whether Your Air Filter Needs To Be Cleaned?

The majority of people tend to delay taking action until they notice an issue with their air conditioner. A typical error made by many homeowners is waiting for a sign that their air filter needs cleaning or to be replaced.

This is so because air filters are intended to be changed, or at the very least, cleaned, on a regular basis. They are your home’s first line of defense against pollen and dust.

Failure to maintain or replace your air filter is a recipe for health issues as well as a shortening of the life of your air conditioning system.

What steps can you take then to determine when it’s time to clean your air filter? The simplest way to tell if it needs to be cleaned or replaced is to see if dust is already coming out of it.

Any white sheet material, particularly one that is fibrous, like a cloth or tissue, can be hung for an hour just a few inches from the vents. If there is a lot of dust on the sheet, the filter is likely unclean.

What Air Filter Is The Best To Use Without Affecting Airflow?

It’s necessary to first understand how air filters are graded in order to be able to respond to this question.

The common way to gauge how many airborne particles an air filter eliminates is through its MERV rating. The amount that the concentration of airborne particles is reduced depends on the number. More airborne particles cling to the atmosphere when the MERV is lower.

MERV ratings for window air conditioner air filters range from 1 to 4, so investing in a MERV 5-rated air filter should take your performance to the next level. In order to choose the air filter that is appropriate for your needs and your home, it is crucial to understand how air filters differ from one another.

How Will Your Window AC Get Affected If It Operates Without An Air Filter?

If you use your air conditioner without an air filter in place, it may experience a variety of problems. First off, the compressor will be exposed to more dust and particles than usual if the air filter is removed. This may eventually lead to compressor issues.

The system will eventually get completely clogged with accumulated dust, and coils and blower motors may also start to prematurely wear out. Your system could be unable to cope with the heat if the airflow through the system is lowered to an unacceptable level.

The installation of an air filter should be done as soon as possible.

A Failing Window Air Conditioner’s Compressor: Warning Signs

An increase in noise is a classic indicator that your air conditioner compressor is deteriorating. You may easily see this in yourself, especially while you’re asleep.

Additionally, you might observe that it needs more power and struggles to deliver the same cooling output as previously. As soon as you hear a loud clicking or grinding noise coming from your air conditioner, it’s crucial to have it looked at.

What’s Going On If My Air Conditioner Is Running But Not Cooling?

Within a minute of starting on, your AC unit should be able to start pumping cool air out of vents. There are a few things you can check to make sure your air conditioner is functioning properly if it is running but not giving the amount of comfort you want.

1. Verify The Condenser Coils

One significant reason your AC unit runs but doesn’t lower the temperature is a clogged condenser coil. Check your condenser coils visually to make sure they are in good working order.

Your unit’s back holds the condenser coils. With a soft-bristled brush, carefully clean it, looking for any indications of blockage.

Blow air through the coils after brushing them to soften the accumulation.

2. Low Level Of Refrigerant

Look for leaks of refrigerant. If your air conditioner lacks refrigerant, it will likely need to work harder to produce cool air. This is so that cold air can be produced without having to compress the refrigerant. It uses a lot of power when working hard, which can result in expensive electricity costs.

The component of your air conditioner that creates cold air is called a compressor. The process of cooling the air down requires less effort and stress when an air conditioning system has enough refrigerant.

Your unit will have to work a little bit harder to produce cold air if it runs out of refrigerant. This explains why despite operating, your air conditioner is unable to produce a frigid temperature.

Conclusion

Before installing one, it’s critical to comprehend the distinctions between a HEPA filter and an air filter. The air filter you now have is sufficient for protecting you and your air conditioning system by filtering the air. Your air conditioning system’s performance won’t be improved by mounting a HEPA filter on it. You should think about getting an air purifier if you wish to benefit from a HEPA filter.