How often should you service your air conditioner?

There are two different tasks: cleaning the filters, which you do, and the professional service, which we do. Here is how often each is worth doing.

Technician cleaning the filter of an indoor air-conditioning unit — **Cleaning an indoor unit's filter** Illustrative AI-generated image.

The filters: you clean them

Manufacturer manuals usually recommend checking them every few weeks if you use the unit daily. At the very least, clean them before each season of use. With dirty filters the unit cools less well, uses more energy and can smell bad.

Switch the unit off and take the filter out of the indoor unit.
Wash it with lukewarm water and mild soap, without scrubbing hard.
Let it dry completely before putting it back.

The professional service: once a year

We recommend a service once a year, ideally before summer. This is what gets checked:

Cleaning and disinfection of the filters and the indoor unit.
Condition of the condensate drain.
Refrigerant pressure and unit performance.
Electrical connections and general operation.
Outdoor unit: dirt on the coil and condition of the brackets.

Before and after a service

Split filters

Blower wheel and louver

This is how the blower wheel and the louver of a split in a home in the area looked when we opened it, and how they looked after cleaning.

Clean blower wheel, louver and filters of a split, after servicing — Clean blower wheel, louver and filters.

With a dirty unit, air flows less well, the unit cools less, uses more energy and can smell bad. A timely cleaning prevents all of that.

On the coast, with extra care

Near the sea, salt speeds up corrosion of the outdoor unit. If your unit is close to the coast, ask for the outdoor part to be checked more carefully.

Guide: salt air and the outdoor unit

Signs it is time for a service

It cools or heats less than before.
It makes new noises.
Water drips from the indoor unit.
It smells bad when switched on.
Your electricity bill has gone up for no clear reason.

See maintenance and repair

Frequently asked questions

Can I clean the indoor unit myself?

The filters, yes. The inside of the unit (fan and coil) is best left to a professional, because parts have to be removed and water must be kept away from the electrical components.

Does servicing make the unit last longer?

Yes. A clean unit works with less effort and uses less energy, and a service lets us spot small problems before they become a breakdown.

When is the best time for a service?

Before the busiest season: in spring, to reach summer with the unit ready. If you also use it for heating, before the first cold weather.

Get a quote