Find your indoor unit's model number
The filter depends on the indoor unit, not the outdoor unit. The model number is on a label on the indoor head itself. Look along the sides and the bottom edge, or lift the front panel and look inside.
Enter the whole number, including any revision suffix at the end, such as "-8" or "-U1". On some units the suffix changes which screen fits. The Mitsubishi MSZ-GE family, for example, uses a different primary screen for its -8 and -9 revisions.
The main screens: wash them, don't buy them
Every indoor unit has main air filters, usually two mesh screens that slide out from behind the front panel.
How often to clean them:
- Mitsubishi, Daikin and Fujitsu owner's manuals all say to clean them about every two weeks.
- Other brands tie cleaning to a filter-reminder light, or to how dusty the screens look.
These screens last for years if you look after them. Buy a new one only if yours is torn, warped or missing. The filter finder shows its part number wherever the manufacturer publishes one. For the step-by-step, see how to clean a mini split.
Add-on filters: these do get replaced
Add-on filters sit in front of or beside the main screens. They're the consumables. Their care comes straight from the manufacturers' manuals:
| Brand | Add-on filter | Cleaning | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | Anti-allergy and deodorizing filters, such as MAC-408FT-E | Every 3 months | About once a year |
| Mitsubishi | Some deodorizing filters, such as MAC-3000FT-E | Every 3 months | When cleaning no longer removes dirt or smell |
| Daikin | Titanium apatite photocatalytic filter, KAF970A46 | Every 6 months | About every 3 years |
| Fujitsu | Ion deodorization filter, UTR-FA16-2 | Every 3 months | About every 3 years |
| Fujitsu | Apple-catechin filter, UTR-FA16 | Don't wash it; it's disposable | Every 3 months |
If your unit has one of these, it's the filter worth keeping a spare of. Disposable ones, like Fujitsu's catechin filter, can't be washed at all.
Genuine or aftermarket?
The filter finder lists genuine parts first. It shows a listing as genuine only when the seller's own product page or the brand's store says the part is factory original.
Everything else is under Aftermarket:
- first, filters sold under the exact part number;
- then, compatible replacements that name the part they replace.
The finder leaves out generic filters sold only by capacity, such as "fits 9k to 12k units", because they aren't matched to any model.
A genuine filter is the surest fit. If you choose a compatible one, check that the listing names your exact part number, and compare it with your old filter before you install it.
If your model isn't in the finder
- Find the part number yourself. It's usually in the parts list in your manual, or printed on the filter's frame.
- Main screens: keep washing them. See how to clean a mini split and the maintenance guide.
- Airflow or smell problems: dirty filters are a common cause of weak airflow and musty smells. Clean them first, before you look for a fault.
- Other parts: for parts beyond filters, start at parts and filters.
FAQ
Do mini split filters need to be replaced? The main mesh screens usually don't. You wash them and reuse them for years. Add-on filters, like deodorizing or catechin filters, do need replacing, on the schedule in your manual.
How often should I replace mini split filters? It depends on the filter:
- about once a year for Mitsubishi's anti-allergy and deodorizing filters;
- about every 3 years for Daikin's photocatalytic filter;
- every 3 months for Fujitsu's disposable catechin filter.
The main screens only need cleaning.
Can I use a generic mini split filter? Only if it names your exact part number or model and matches your old filter. Filters sold only by capacity, such as "fits 12k", aren't matched to a model.
Where is the filter on a mini split? Behind the front panel of the indoor unit. Lift the panel, and the mesh screens slide out.