What is this in my AC filters???

[Captned]

Greetings all,

I'm a livaboard and I installed Hypo air filters a few years back. Highly reccomend them. However, I have to clean the master cabin filter (where I sleep) once a week! My question is what the hell is this stuff? None of the other filters get nearly as dirty. They could go a month between cleanings... I just worry that its the headliner or something. I mean what, dead skin, fabric??? Without a filter, that unit would be clogged in no time...

Nasty stuff. I'll try and post a picture.

Thanks all...

Captned
78 46 SF

 

[Trojan]

Try burning some of it. It's most likely lint from bedding and clothes. That type of filter really scrubs the air. There great if you have allergies. I don't think its the head liner. The other areas you filter do not have the same amount of loose fiber material. It's hard to tell from the pictures you posted. Just a guess.


BILL

 

[REBrueckner]

I assume it's the black stuff that you are querying about??. If so, I'm not sure why it's black, but for homes I have read that most dust is skin fluffing from occupants. Ever see a picture of all the microscopic beasties living in our bedding dining on our dead skin ?? scary.
When I am away summers aboard in clean ocean air, I am constantly amazed at the "dust" I have to clean daily. Mine seems to be rug color, but a new nylon rug made no apparent difference. It's just me and a little Yorkie and we are outside most of the time...where can it come from?? During the winter, with the boat sealed, and heat running....dust STILL accumulates, but somewhat more slowly...but mine is a gray/tan...reflecting tan rugs....

As noted, bedding lint is also a likely culprit. When some sun is streaming in your sleeping quarters, try fluffing each piece of bedding..say comforter, sheets,etc one by one. I note that my winter sheets shed more than the summer sheets. It's clearly visible in sunlight floating in my cabin. Also, some toilet paper brands shed huge amounts of lint: My wife really called me out when I bought a Charmin (I think) package at COSTCO...she said never bring that stuff home again, it makes a mess in the bathrooms.

If still of concern, you can a room air purifier to circulater air through a filter continuously...maybe one would be easier to clean than your a/c.