PowerSwitch

I have to change the intake & the pre-heat exchanger filters every 3 months at $£50 total .. not cheap!

The intake filter in particular looks like it could be cleaned with a compressed air line.

Is this in fact do-able?

No experience, but I'd have a go before shelling out for a replacement. Unless your environment is particularly dirty/dusty, I'd expect them last longer than the official 3 months.

It depends on whether or not your heat pump is fitted with reusable filters!! Perhaps that is a campaign which should be launched. "No heap pump without reusable filters as an option should be eligible for government subsidy." I say "as an option" because there are plenty of people who will be willing to pay for the easy option and renew every time.

Interesting .. perhaps reusable versions are out there somewhere ... I shall make enquiries ...

I cleaned mine two days ago with a portable Dyson and they are reusable. These were in the inside unit of a split system and absolutely clogged with dust. As far as I know the outdoor unit does have a filter but I have never cleaned it. The inside one is a plastic mesh and the outside is a metal mesh.

On an unrelated note I cleaned some carpets a week ago and they were absolutely filthy judging by the water that the vacuum cleaner pulled up.