Air conditioning systems and clothes dryers come with some kind of filter or lint trap, and it’s important to clean or change these filters regularly. You’ll save money, have cleaner air and clothes, protect your home from accidental fires and your AC and clothes dryer will last longer.
Air Conditioning – According to HowStuffWorks.com, a dirty air filter is one of the most common reasons that an AC unit will stop working. Air filters catch dust and keep it from circulating throughout your home. If the filter gets too clogged, the AC has to work harder to push the cold air through. If the cold air has no place to go, it circulates back into the evaporator coil, causing it to freeze and fail. Permanent filters are easily removed, washed outside with a hose and reinstalled. Replace pleated paper AC filters every one to three months.
Clothes dryer – According to JoeFilter.com, the lint trap in your clothes dryer is the first line of defense against lint buildup. It’s typically located on the bottom gum line inside the dryer. Simply pull it out, clean it off and put the contents in the trash each time you use the dryer. Some lint may escape the trap and go into the dryer vent, the flexible silver duct that vents to the outdoors. If the vent gets blocked, it takes longer to dry your clothes, wasting energy, and could spark a fire. Clean your dryer vent at least once a year.
