How To Clean Rv Air Conditioner Filter

Marking Stevens
May 15, 2020
RV Life
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With the summer approaching, thousands of Americans are going to be hitting the highways and byways across the state looking for RV take chances. The thrill of getting out on the road for a trip to a favorite family unit vacation spot, or somewhere entirely new, is exhilarating.

Earlier yous head out on a road trip, it's critical to ensure that you inspect and service your vehicle. The last thing you demand on your holiday is for something to go wrong with the engine, power organization, or electronics of the RV.

While checking all these components is vital, many people fail to service the air conditioner unit of measurement on the vehicle. Even seasoned veterans of the RV world probably forgot to service the Air-conditioning system the first time they took their rig on the road.

A muddy Ac filter will reduce the air quality inside your RV. Traveling across the country with your cabin smelling of old socks doesn't audio very highly-seasoned. Fortunately, it's not as well challenging to make clean or supplant your rigs AC filter yourself.

In this guide, nosotros'll requite yous a convenient, step-by-step guide to cleaning or replacing the air conditioner filter.

A Step-by-Stride Guide to Cleaning Your RV Air Conditioner Filter

Earlier yous starting time, you lot demand to bear in mind that there are two types of air conditioner filters. Reusable air filters are suitable for washing, reconditioning, and replacement into your system. Even so, disposable filters require replacement after a specified period of operation.

Disposable filters are typically cheaper to purchase than reusable models, merely with a reusable model, y'all never accept to worry nigh finding replacement parts. A reusable filter can last for decades before y'all need to supersede it.

Most RVs come with reusable filters that you can rewash as they start to lose filtering efficiency . When the filter gets muddy, you start to notice a subtle decline in the air quality inside your RV. Later on a week or then, information technology will begin to develop astrong dried olfactory property, indicating the presence of bacteria or mold in the filter.

At this stage, it'south time to either wash or replace your AC air filter .

How often should you clan your unit's filters ?

In one case a month!

Step 1 – Remove the AC Filter

Turn off the electricity supply to the Ac unit and remove the protective shroud. Some RV units take screws to remove the embrace, while others pop off with tabs.

Review your RV owner's manual, or the AC manufacturers transmission for the exact instructions for removing the Ac air filter.

To find out verbal instructions on removing the air filter from your air conditioner, consult the AC'southward user manual.

Pace 2 – Vacuum the Air conditioning Filter

Later on successfully removing the filter from the Air-conditioning unit of measurement, take it outside for cleaning. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush tip plumbing equipment to clean off all the large dust and droppings trapped in the outside of the filter.

Don't press down on the filter when vacuuming, as the force could damage the filter and cause the need for a replacement. If yous clean your filter regularly, yous tin go away with a light vacuum cleaning like this one time a month or every 45-days.

When replacing the filter, make sure that you lot wipe out the within of the machine properly before plumbing fixtures the filter.

Step three – Wash the AC Filter

If the filter is filthy, and there is the presence of crud or mold, so yous'll probably demand to launder the unit to ensure you get rid of all the mold spores and dirt out of the membrane.

Fill a saucepan or the kitchen sink with warm h2o and add some balmy soapy detergent. Place the filter in the water and let information technology soak for 15 minutes. Avert using strong cleaning detergents like bleach, as this may damage the membrane in the filter. If the solution does damage the filter, yous'll need to replace it.

If the filter is very grimy, then yous might have to leave it to soak for up to ii-hours to loosen all the dirt. After soaking the filter, use an sometime toothbrush to brush abroad any dirt deposits or grime from the surface of the filter.

Using abrasive brushes on the filter may cease up damaging it, and so stick to soft bristles like toothbrushes.

Step 4 – Manage Leaner

Afterward washing out the filter, y'all need to kill off any pathogens, like bacteria and mold, that remain behind. Fill a spray canteen with equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray down the filter, and so exit it to soak for 10-minutes in a shady area before rinsing make clean with water. Alternatively, you tin can spray the filter down with an antibacterial solution to protect the filter, and your lungs, from pathogens.

Step 5 – Dry and Replace

Let your filter air-dry entirely before placing it dorsum in your air conditioner. However, don't exit the filter in the direct sunlight, equally the harsh UV rays may impairment the sensitive materials in the filter membrane, causing it to lose efficiency.

After drying out the filter, wipe down the interior of the shroud and the Ac unit and then replace the filter.

Step vi – (Optional) Cleaning the RV Air-conditioning Condenser and Evaporator

If you recently purchased a preowned RV, information technology's a skillful idea to bank check and clean the AC filter. Many buyers don't think to check the air conditioner to come across if it'south dingy, and then wonder why their new RV doesn't have that "New RV Odour."

Nonetheless, if you're cleaning the air workout filter, it might be wise also to have a look at the condenser and evaporator fins while you are at it. RV owners should remember to cheque these parts for wear and tear every few years. Proper maintenance of these evaporator coils ensures good airflow and prevents the unit from overheating.

Over the years, the cooling fans on the Air-conditioning unit will start to clog with dirt and debris, dropping the efficiency of your AC unit. You can utilise a skillful foam or spray cleaner to clean the vanes on the fans and around the housing.

Clean the condenser coils at least once a year.

Before yous kickoff cleaning, brand sure you cover the air vent leading into the cabin. If you lot don't, and so dirt and droppings will fall into the vent and enter the cabin when you beginning upwardly the Air-conditioning.

It'south also important to annotation that the fins or vanes on the fan are thin and frail. Exist careful not to damage them in the cleaning process. Bending or great the fins results in inefficient airflow, and you'll accept the supplant the entire fan.

Uses a soft bristle brush or vacuum to carefully remove any buildup of dirt or droppings from the evaporator coils.

TIP: Use compressed air, bravado from the within, out, you'll get to clear any droppings that may have gotten trapped in the condenser coils.

At present it's as well a good time to straighten any aptitude cooling fins – using a comb knife or other small, apartment wedge- as bent fins volition restrict airflow through the unit reducing the air conditioner's cooling ability.

Pace seven (Optional) – RV AC Compressor Repair or Replacement

If your RV is an older model, and your Air conditioning unit stops working, the chances are that the compressor packed upward. Unfortunately, the compressor is the nigh expensive part of the Air conditioning system in your RV. In some cases, it might be possible to become away with a inexpensive repair, but in well-nigh cases, y'all'll finish up having to replace the unit of measurement.

New compressors can run y'all up to $800, depending on the model. In most cases, you'll find that replacing the entire Air conditioning unit of measurement is non much more expensive than buying a new compressor – accept that into business relationship before you lot decide to spend your money on a repair or replacement compressor.

Step 8 (Optional) – Servicing and Repairing the RV Ac Fan Motor

After removing the Air conditioning shroud, y'all can inspect the fan motor for maintenance. Information technology's disquisitional that yous remember to plow off the ability supply before yous get-go work on the AC unit, or yous could finish up with a severe injury that sends you to the hospital.

When working with the starter capacitor, apply gloves, as there may be residual accuse remaining in the capacitor. Make certain that the fan spins easily with a touch of your mitt and make clean the fins of whatever clay or droppings using lightly soapy water.

Oil the bearings in the fan motor, you'll find oil tubes to aid yous lubricate the fan. Put a few drops of oil in the tubes on either stop. If the motorcar uses sleeves, then distill some oil on the area where the sleeves contact the fan motor shafts. Wipe away whatever excess oil after spinning the fan.

When starting your AC unit, the fan might seem sluggish or slow. If that'south the case, then information technology'southward time for a replacement. If your compressor or fan motor fails to starting time, information technology's usually a sign of a failed starting capacitor that needs replacement.

When replacing your capacitor, it'due south critical that you select the right voltage and size for your rooftop AC unit of measurement. You can social club these parts online from the Air conditioning manufacturer or licensed dealer.

What are the Leading brands of RV AC Units?

There are several leading manufacturers of RV air conditioner units. However, in our opinion, the top brands include Coleman, Atwood, and Dometic.

Coleman RV AC units are a common feature on most of the premium-finish motorhomes in America. Dometic was i of the first manufacturers to introduce with the rooftop air conditioner, every bit well every bit water ice machines and camper refrigerators. Atwood is another leading brand with RV air filters available in a variety of materials.

All three of these manufacturers offer elevation-quality air conditioner systems and spares. Most of the parts in these models are replaceable, and with the correct maintenance, your AC organisation will final for years.

If you're using a mesh-fashion foam filter, make sure yous clean it advisedly to avoid tearing the membrane. Never use a garden hose on loftier pressure to clean your filter as it will damage the fibers.

Replacement filters for these brands are readily bachelor from online dealers. Replacements are typically not expensive, just you'll save money if you wash and refurbish the unit yourself. Check with your possessor's transmission to see if yous take a replaceable or washable filter in your Ac unit.

Terminal Tips for RV Air Conditioner Filter Maintenance

RV owners should clean the air conditioner filter according to the use of the unit of measurement. If you only have the RV out on the road in one case or twice a year, then the chances are an almanac cleaning is more than adequate.

Nevertheless, if you're a regular camper, y'all might need to launder your AC filter every other month or at least one time a quarter to proceed it make clean.

Betwixt cleanings, you lot can reduce the buildup of dirt, dust, and grime in your air filter by following these tips.

Utilize the Motorcar-Cleaning Function

Many modern RVs come with an auto-cleaning function on the unit. Past using this cleaning office after each use, you extend the service life of your Air-conditioning unit of measurement. These units feature an internal brush that cleans the filter, preventing the buildup of dirt and grime on the membrane surface .

Withal, RV owners mustn't over-rely on this auto-cleaning function for maintaining their AC system. Yous'll still need to clean the filter from fourth dimension to time and ensure the inner housing is clean and free of debris.

Clean the Filter Regularly

Past at present, you should empathize the importance of keeping your air filter make clean. A dirty filter drops the efficiency of your Air conditioning unit , and places pressure level on the other components in the machine, causing premature failure.

Some manufacturers recommend that RV owners clean the AC unit of measurement afterward each trip, while others permit for quarterly cleaning. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines before cleaning your air filter.

Replace Your Air Filter If Required

Every RV filter, even reusable models, have a service life . If you lot're cleaning a filthy air filter, then you lot might not be able to restore it to its original condition. If that's the case, it'due south time to find a replacement. Replacement filters vary in size and price , depending on the size of your Ac unit, and the model.

When washing your filter, if you observe whatsoever tears or holes in the textile, you'll accept to replace information technology. The holes will allow dirt and debris to enter the internals of the car, causing a breakdown.

Avoid Unnecessary Utilise

Only run your RVs AC unit of measurement when you demand it. This strategy reduces the soiling of your filter and drops your power consumption.