In humid regions, an air conditioner is necessary to keep the temperature safe for both people and their pets. Typically, an air conditioner is built-in into RVs. The air filter media filters the air that moves through the air conditioner. Pollutants, dust, pet fur, and grime are filtered in this way.
Therefore, only clean, fresh air will circulate in the RV.
To ensure that only pure, fresh air circulates in the motor pool, you should keep the camper AC filter clean. How to clean RV air conditioner filter is the critical question. Continue reading for some tips.
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What to Prepare?
Here are the tools you will need to clean a camper air conditioner filter:
- Screwdriver
- New air filter if your filter is due to change
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Damp Cleaning Cloth
- A toothbrush or Small Soft-Bristle Brush
- Mild Soap and Water Mixture
- RV Shower Head
- Garden Hose
- Vinegar and Water Mixture
Step 1: Turn off your air conditioning unit
Before air conditioner filter cleaning, make sure that you turn off the air conditioner and disconnect from the power supply. This will prevent you from getting an electric shock and will keep you safe in the process.
Step 2: Remove the AC filter
Go to the location of the air conditioner filter and remove it after turning it off. When using an RV ducted air conditioner filter, there are typically two or more filters installed in the ceiling or under the covers of the air conditioner.
To keep things from getting dirty all over the place, you must carefully remove them.
The best way to do this is to locate the air conditioner’s handbook, which should include instructions on how to remove the filter securely.
Depending on the model, there may be screws at the rear of the air conditioner. For instance, Dometic ac filter cover removal includes this step, as they often have four screws to secure the cover.
Similarly, to access your Jayco jay flight air conditioner filter, you need to take off the black plastic screws on its gate.
If there are no screws in the cover, you can just open it.
But before removing the filter, you should know what type of filter you have.
- If the filter is disposable, you must remove it and find a better replacement.
- For a washable filter, you must vacuum it.
- If the filter is a spongy plastic, clean it and put it back afterward.
Step 3: Vacuum the air conditioner filter
The most convenient air conditioner filter cleaner is a vacuum cleaner.
First, put the setting either low or medium to efficiently suction the dust and dirt in the filter.
Next, you can use a damp cleaning cloth to remove the dust in the corners of the AC filter.
If you clean the AC filter regularly or every two weeks, using a vacuum cleaner is enough. And you can put it back in its place.
However, if it’s your first time cleaning the air conditioner filter after a few months, you’ll need to do more cleaning before moving on to the following step.
Step 4: Deep clean by soaking it
Deep cleaning a camper AC filter is a necessity. Soaking it with detergent mixed with water will clean it thoroughly.
Here’s how to deep clean your travel trailer AC filter:
- The first step is to get a bucket filled with water.
- Then, mix a mild detergent in the water.
- Soak your filter in the mixture for about 15 minutes to 1 hour. If the filters are so dirty, you might need to soak them for an hour to clean them.
- After soaking it, use a soft toothbrush to clean the corners of the filter. Be careful not to break or damage the Coleman Mach air conditioner filter.
- When satisfied with the result, rinse the filters using the RV shower head or a garden hose.
Step 5: Sanitize the filter using a vinegar mixture
Once the filters are clean, preventing them from getting too dirty is your next goal. Using a mixture of vinegar and water is the best anti-microbial mixture you can use to keep the air in your room fresh and smell good.
- Get an empty spray bottle.
- Mix one part of water with one part of water and stir it.
- Put the mixture in an empty spray bottle.
- Spray it in the clean travel trailer AC filter.
- Once sprayed, let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, rinse the filter with water to prevent it from smelling like vinegar.
Step 6: Dry and put it back
After cleaning and sanitizing the filters, you can dry them before you put them back in their proper location.
To speed up the drying process, place it under the sun. Besides, the sun can also destroy any microbial left in it.
Lastly, you can reinstall the AC filter. Put the cover over it and plug it into the outlet.
Please note that this guide is applicable to almost all types of RV AC, including Dometic air conditioner filter cleaning.
Importance of Cleaning an RV Conditioner Filter
- The air conditioner will function efficiently since the filters will not be clogged by the dirt and dust accumulated.
- The space can have fresh, high-quality air since the allergens and particles deemed harmful to human health will be filtered.
- If not cleaned enough, the ducts might accumulate the dirt that can cause respiratory problems to those who use it.
- The lifespan of a camper air conditioner depends on how it is maintained. Hence maintenance is of great importance to further use the air conditioner. You will be able to save money and keep a clean environment.
- Finding a replacement for a filter is more expensive and time-consuming. The best thing you can do is to keep it clean and intact.
Tips on RV Air Conditioner Filter Maintenance
- Know the type of filter that you have before starting to process. This way, you will know what you should do with the filters.
- Always read the RV manuals before removing the filters from the air conditioner. Manuals have exact instructions to follow since the process varies on what type of air conditioner.
- Always turn off and unplug the air conditioner before you do filter removal. Be careful while removing the filters. Since they have dirt filtered, they might pour out on you if you are clumsy and not paying attention.
- When scrubbing the filters, be gentle to prevent damage.
- Use the AC only when it is necessary.
- Replace the filters when it has holes and is fully damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to replace an RV air conditioner filter?
There are filters that you can clean by washing them. However, when you notice holes and damage in the filters, you should replace them. But if you have extra filters with you while camping, here’s what you should do:
- Get the filter just like how you take it when you do RV AC filter cleaning.
- Then carefully remove the filter media.
- Get the new filter and replace it.
- Then carefully put the filter back.
How often should you clean your air conditioner filter?
Manufacturers recommend that campers should clean the filters every two weeks. But if you are only staying in one camping area, you can clean it once a month.
If it is windy or you have respiratory problems, you must clean the filters more often, probably once a week, to ensure that the air is clean and safe.
Can I prevent contamination from building up on my air conditioner filter?
Yes, of course. You should know that as long as you use the air conditioner, it will simultaneously filter the air. So always ensure that you use the air conditioner only when necessary.
One more thing you can do to prevent contamination is to clean it regularly since we cannot avoid any pollutants. Even if you are in the mountains, there are particles that the AC filter might accumulate.
Conclusion
One thing you must look after when traveling in an RV is that your travel trailer air conditioner’s performance is satisfactory. Hence maintaining its cleanliness and ensuring that it is functional will benefit you the most.
Cleaning an RV air conditioner filter is simple only when you follow the right steps. Now that you are done reading this article and know how to clean RV air conditioner filter, you can enjoy your boondocking with no worries at all.
My career journey has been marked by a variety of roles. I served as a Personal Trainer for Children, Fitness Instructor, and Home-Based Consultant in Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network.
More than ten years of traveling in my caravan have lent me a deep appreciation of freedom. Without the shackles of being tied down to one place, I get to explore many parts of the world and relish the exhilaration that comes with discovering new things. Throughout my journey, I have been a member of FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) since 2020. Thus, living on the road has never become boring for me.
As someone with a burning passion for traveling, I want to inspire others to adopt a nomad lifestyle to appreciate the beauty of the world. This, of course, requires a functioning vehicle that can always make you feel at home, even when you’re far away from modern life.
Therefore, I seek to put my experience to good use—helping you with your adventure on the road. As a result, I launched and managed the Outdoorbits website, where I likely share my enthusiasm for outdoor activities and health-related insights.