Replacing Filters for a Small Portable Air Conditioner

Even small portable air conditioners require some amount of care.  If your unit is making a whistling noise or if it simply does not seem to be cooling your apartment, the first thing to check is the filter.  Luckily, this is also the easiest thing to fix on any air conditioner.

You will need to pry open the grill that faces into the apartment.  Usually it is just a matter of using some well designated force to get it open.  Inside you will see a sheet of grey mesh.  This is the filter.  Before you even consider replacing it, take it out and clean it.  Remember that this filter stands between the air that the unit sucks in and all the machinery.  So one side of it is going to have a lot of dust and other particles on it.  Make a mental note as to which side this is.  Take your vacuum cleaner and suck away everything that is clogging the airflow.  Afterwards you can also wipe it with a damp rag to loosen what remains.  Let the filter dry then place it back in the unit with the same orientation as it had when you took it out.  This will more than likely solve your problem.

Most portable air conditioning filters are designed to last as long as the unit itself.  So if you are still having problems, it could be time for an all new unit.  But we will not jump to that conclusion yet.  Try to think back to when you bought this unit.  Many units are sold with a warranty.  If you do not remember whether you bought the warranty or not, take the filter back to where you bought the unit and inquire about both your warranty and replacement filters.  Hopefully they will find that you do have a warranty and will have someone take care of you.  Air conditioners should be serviced every few years anyway.  Depending on where you are and who made the air conditioner, replacement filters may be available there.  If not, you will have to contact the manufacturer or seek one out on the web.

If you successfully find a selection of filters to choose from, you may be faced with characteristics that are foreign to you.  Different types of filters have finer mesh than others which comes with both advantages and disadvantages.  Finer mesh catches more dust particles which will in turn protect your unit better.  However, you will have to clean these filters more often in order to keep air flow from being restricted.  The inverse is true of wider mesh.  More particles will get into the machinery, but airflow will not be as much of an issue.  Consider how diligent you can be about your maintenance and choose the option that is best for you.  If in doubt, just get the same one that you already have.

Small air conditioners are more difficult to shop for than central systems.  The best thing to do is to keep up with your maintenance so you do not run into difficulties later.