Replacing an Air Filter in a Ductless Mini-Split AC System: What You Need to Know

Most people know that air filters should be replaced every one to three years, but this can vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of the system and equipment. If you have pets, it is recommended that you change the filter every 60 days or every 2 months. For homes with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it is best to change the filter every 20 to 45 days. Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't get much use usually wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months.

The more you use your home, the more often you'll need to change your air filter. Each indoor minisplit unit will have its own air filter. It can usually be accessed by opening the front panel and removing the filters. There can be several air filter elements, such as a nanoplatinum filter and an anti-allergenic enzyme filter.

Most ductless units have filters that must be cleaned with water. Ductless heat pumps, such as mini-split, portable and window air conditioners, are an excellent choice for contemporary homes. They work without relying on a duct network and offer multiple advantages compared to duct systems. Once the ice has melted, thoroughly clean the evaporator coils with compressed air, making sure there are no obstructions in the inlet and filter.

Multi-zone systems have several indoor air controllers connected to a single outdoor unit, allowing multiple rooms to be cooled and the temperature controlled individually in each zone. During the cooling season, particles can “stick to the fan wheel and the air conditioning coil”, causing greater inefficiency and providing food for any living organism (such as mold). Transform your home into a comfortable oasis with the Cielo Smart Thermostat and Cielo Breez Smart Air Conditioning Controllers. As a general rule, you can get an idea of the size of air conditioner required by calculating the size of your room in square footage.

Air conditioners are also a type of heat pump, but without a reversing valve, and can only be used for cooling. It's not used to purify the air you breathe, but rather to protect the sensitive components of your HVAC system.

The only type of filters that trap allergens and spores are HEPA filters, or high-energy particulate air filters.

Installing the unit near the ceiling will not necessarily affect its efficiency, as hot air will eventually circulate and heat the entire room. It's quite simple to open the hood and check the filters from time to time to see if they need a quick cleaning.

Pleated filters are often better than non-pleated filters, as they allow a larger surface area to accumulate dust, pet hair and other debris that floats in the air. Air filters are usually made of spun fiberglass (the same thing that forms attic insulation) or pleated paper (26%) framed with cardboard for greater stability and stiffness. Ductless minisplit air conditioning systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and installation flexibility. As air passes through a building's air conditioning system, air filters trap and collect large and small particles, such as dust, allergens, and microorganisms.

Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than that recommended by the boiler or air conditioner manufacturer can affect its performance. Window heat pumps and wall-mounted heat pumps are small, packaged air conditioners, with all components assembled in a single unit.

Simon Genz
Simon Genz

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