Yesterday we had you walk through he house to close off any air conditioner vents in rooms you don’t use to reduce the amount of work that your air conditioner will need to use this summer. Today we’ll continue with that theme to make sure that your air conditioner filter is clean.

To keep your air conditioner running at its optimum, you should clean or replace your air conditioner filter each month. A dirty filter restricts air flow which results in your air conditioner working harder and using more electricity that it should be using.

If your air conditioner currently has a foam filter, you’ll want to replace it with a plastic mesh filter. Foam filters don’t do a very good job of trapping particles which can send them into the airstream. In addition, they need to be replaced each month which adds up in cost.

If possible you’ll want to replace your worn-out or dirty filter with a plastic electrostatic mesh filter. You can get a filter kit at your local hardware store for under $10. These permanent filters can be cleaned by washing it with a garden hose meaning that you don’t have to buy a new filter every month.

All you need to do today is walk over to your air conditioner and take a look at the filter. If it’s dirty and needs replacing, make sure to place buying a new permanent filter on your shopping list. You’ll also want to take the time to mark a specific date each summer month in your calendar (June, July & August) to check and clean the filter. By marking it on your calendar, you won’t accidentally forget which will ensure that your air conditioner is not having to work harder than it needs to be.

While the savings will depend on how much you use your air conditioner, a new filer will more than pay for itself in reduced energy costs and not having to buy a replacement filter each month.