AC Unit Startup Checklist: The Step 90% of People Skip — I Learned the Hard Way

Girls, I had allergies all of last week.

Itchy eyes, runny nose, sore throat — I thought I had a cold, took medicine for a week but nothing helped.

Later I discovered: it was the air conditioner.

My home AC was used last summer but then never touched again. The filter had accumulated a layer of dust, and mold spores were breeding inside.

When I turned on the AC, all that stuff floated around in the air and onto my face. How could I not have an allergic reaction?

Lesson learned the hard way: you MUST clean the AC filter before starting it up

I know many people are like me — when winter comes, the AC becomes just a room decoration. But that’s wrong.

The right approach: every seasonal switch, before turning on the AC, clean the filter.

How to clean the filter?

It’s actually super simple:

Step 1, unplug. Safety first, no explanation needed.

Step 2, open the AC panel and remove the filter. Usually snap-fit design, no screwdriver needed.

Step 3, rinse with clean water. If there’s a lot of dust, add a bit of neutral dish soap.

Step 4, air dry in a cool, ventilated place. Don’t sun-dry — the filter will deform.

Step 5, once dry, reinstall and power on.

The whole process takes under 30 minutes, but gives you clean air all summer.

One place you probably missed

Besides the filter, the AC vents need wiping too. I use specialized AC cleaning wipes — one light wipe removes so much dust.

If your AC is over 3 years old, I recommend getting a professional deep clean. They’ll clean the evaporator fins — that’s where bacteria truly thrives.

I’m planning to get a professional cleaning during the May Day holiday, plus check if the coolant level is sufficient.

After all, Tomb-Sweeping Day has passed. How far can summer really be?

Has your home AC been cleaned? Tell me in the comments~