How Often Do You Need to Clean/Maintain Your AC Unit?

Good question… Ideally you would clean and maintain your system regularly between services. In terms of servicing, an AC unit needs to be serviced at least twice per calendar year in order to ensure it is working at maximum efficiency.

“How so?”

Well, service checks are crucial to the lifespan of your air conditioning system: filters, coils and fins all require maintenance at regular periods to prolong their effectiveness. Neglecting maintenance appointments ensures only one thing: a decrease in the performance and lifespan of the air conditioning system. The knock-on effect is that airflow becomes restricted, creating extra pressure on the system, driving up power consumption. An unmaintained system becomes less efficient at its primary function – conditioning air – expelling dirtier, smellier, unwelcome air into your home. Gross. 

The importance of servicing

Proper maintenance checks and services of your air conditioning system and heating equipment will ensure they are more economical and dependable. Without proper maintenance, your air conditioner loses approximately 5% of its overall efficiency: 5% for each year it goes without service. Monthly energy costs can be reduced by up to 25% when the system is correctly maintained and running at optimal efficiency.

How to maintain your system between services

Between scheduled air conditioner servicing, regular maintenance spot-checks and routine cleaning tasks of the AC system will extend its lifespan and maintain its energy efficiency. Let’s explore the three main elements that should be included in your regular maintenance routine and how to take care of them:

Filters

For some of the most basic air conditioner maintenance, you have to clean or replace your filter. Dirty filters can affect the air quality in the home, and it can inhibit airflow to the system, making the machine work harder to cool the home.

A general rule of thumb is to clean or replace the filters once a month during the usage season. If you only run the air conditioner occasionally, you might be able to push this to every two months, but it is better to just get in the habit of doing it on the first day each month.

TOP TIPS - Once you open up the AC unit and locate the visible filters:

• Remove them from the unit.
• Clean away any dry debris.
• Wash the filters in warm, soapy water.
• Allow them to dry thoroughly.
• Once the internal coil is clean and the filters (if reusable) are dry, place them back into the AC unit.

Coils

Over time, the coils on your air conditioner can get dirty, and this will lead to reduced cooling and a lack of efficiency. As dirt and dust accumulate on the evaporator coil, it acts like an insulator, and this will limit the coil’s ability to absorb heat from the air.

The coils on an air conditioner should be checked and cleaned at least once a year. If you were to live in a region where the air conditioner gets used for more of the year, it might even be a good idea to perform this task twice a year.

TOP TIPS - To clean the coils, once the AC unit is open and the filters have been removed:

• Remove internal coils
• Soak them in an anti-corrosive disinfectant solution.
• Allow them to sit within the solution for ten minutes.
• Delicately wipe clean the coils and replace them within the AC housing unit.

Condensate drain

The condensate line removes the moisture that accumulates in the system when your air conditioner is in operation. If this line gets clogged, it can reduce the efficiency of the unit, increase humidity in the air and it can also increase the risk of water damage. This is another job that can be done a few times a year. 

TOP TIP - For most systems, you can clear the condensate drain by passing a stiff wire/metal rod to prod through the drain system and dislodge any rogue blockages.

Not feeling it? Chappy can help! 

If you’re pushed for time or simply just don’t want to do it, Chappy can find a verified professional who will. Simply request what you need help with - whether that be one of your yearly services or getting set up with a preventive breakdown maintenance plan - and we’ll get back to you with real bids from local providers. We’ll even send you automated email and text appointment reminders for any home service appointments you’ve got coming up. 

Manage all of your home service providers with Chappy for free! Put in a request now.