Cleaning RV A/C Filter(s)

About every other month, I take some time to clean the air conditioning filters. In my past RVs, there were two filters to be removed from the intake areas. Those filters measured about 10 to 12 inches square. In our current model motorhome (2016 Tiffin 36UA), the underside of the rooftop air conditioners cannot be seen, which makes for a lot less air condtioning unit noise inside the coach. There are 10 circular intake vents along the inside -driver’s side- of the motorhome, and (nearly identical) circular air flowing vents down the entire passenger side.

I’ve read, and seen, where people use different techniques to clean their air filters. In my case, with several filters, I stack up the vent covers on the counter, and remove the filters from the vent covers.

I do not squeeze the filter like a sponge, as that could stretch the filter. I just shake the filter to get as much water off as possible.

I rinse and wipe down each vent cover, and rinse with hot water. I do a quick dry with a clean drying towel, and set aside the vent covers and the parts that keep the filters attached to each vent cover. I, usually, allow overnight drying time of the filters that are clipped to the hangar. In the morning, the filters are dry and clean. I assemble each filter back in it’s place in the vent cover, being careful with the part that attaches the filters to the vent covers.

In the summer, when the air conditioners are used more frequently, I may clean those filters about once a month (depending on how long we are in the coach during that month). During the cold months, we have an electric heat pump attached to our rooftop air conditioners, that blows warm air out of ceiling vents. The ceiling intake vents are used, when the heat pump is operational, so I do clean the intake filters about every few months or so during the colder months. The heat pump is, usually, only good if the temperature is above 35 to 40 degrees. Below 40 degrees, I use our inside fireplace (space heater) and rear coach propane heating unit (keeps the plumbing and tanks from damage in sub freezing temperatures). My heat pump on the rooftop air conditioners, will automatically use the propane heat (vents near the floor) to get the coach warm, and then turn off the propane heat as the rooftop heat pump will circulate the inside warm air.

I keep a sheet of the air conditioner intake vent filter material, and can cut out a circular filter to replace a worn filter, if needed. I have cut filters to fit, when I had the 2 square intake filters in my previous rvs. I haven’t had the need to do that, yet, with the circular filters. As long as I’m careful, and don’t squeeze the water out of the washed filters, they won’t stretch and won’t wear, or tear, as easily.

What About the Air Conditioning Units Up On the Roof?

In a future post, I’ll include photos (& maybe a video) to cover my rooftop air conditioner maintenance and cleaning. At this point, though, I can say that rooftop air conditioner maintenance is done a few times year. I make sure that there is no power to the coach when doing this task. I, carefully, get on the roof and remove the two air conditioning shrouds. I inspect for dirt dobber nests. I, carefully, vacuum and clean throughout the areas that are inside and around the air conditioners. I check the fins on each air conditioner and make sure there is little or no damage (making sure there are no bends, or very few bends in the fins). I use a very soft brush to remove any bugs or grime from the fins. I have sprayed the fins, and used a vacuum (with soft brush attachment) or air compressor, but mostly, I just (gently) use a soft brush on the fins. I check the fan assembly and blades. Before securing the air conditioner shrouds back in place, I check the seal around the air conditioner and the lap sealant areas (for any tiny holes or cracks). If lap sealant is needed on any area of the fiberglass roof, I clean the old lap sealant, and apply self levelling lap sealant over the old lap sealant. While on the roof, I look around all areas that use the lap sealant (antenna, vent covers, clear dome above the shower, satellite dome, fridge vents – my current rv has a residential fridge/freezer & doesn’t have that on the roof – also a check of the edges where the roof connects to the sides, front & rear caps etc). I am always very cautious when doing anything on the rv roof. Good grip shoes, and staying away from the edges. And, not being in a hurry and paying attention to the next step that I take. At some point, I’m sure that I’ll need to pay someone to do those rooftop tasks, but right now I do those tasks, myself. I have had some of the sealant tasks done at a local RV service center, when I had the RV in for other service, but the tasks can, easily, be done by myself, so that’s what I do 98.1% of the time. Why 98.1%?

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