How to maintain your air conditioner

Why air conditioner maintenance is a must

Preventive maintenance is very important. It helps ensure:

• optimum performance
• savings in energy—and cost!
• an extended lifespan
• cleaner air, elimination of bacteria, and mould prevention

So show your air conditioner some love; it will pay dividends!

What to do before servicing your air conditioning unit?

There are several types of air conditioner. Whichever type you have, there are two steps to take before going any further:

• Read the user’s manual that came with the unit for instructions specific to it.
• Shut off power to the unit! This may be as simple as unplugging it. If you have a central air conditioner, however, you will usually need to shut off a switch on a junction box near the unit, or close the appropriate breaker on the electrical panel.

Why check your air conditioner's filters?

In an air conditioner, the filter is as important as oil is in a motor. Periodic filter maintenance is a must: dirty filters will reduce air flow, which can cause significant damage to the compressor.

Here is the care required a few times during summer:

• Wash and rinse the air conditioner’s reusable filters in lukewarm water. Make sure they are completely dry before reinstalling them. If your model uses disposable components, remove and replace them.
• If you have a room air conditioner or a ductless central air conditioner, clean the grille covering the filters and make sure nothing is blocking air flow (e.g., curtains, furniture).

How often you need to do this depends on the manufacturer’s instructions, but also on how exposed the unit is to dust (activity in the house, whether you have pets, etc.).

Problem odour?

If you turn on the air conditioning and notice a mouldy smell, it’s best to call in a specialized technician. If mould has set in during the cold season, a thorough cleaning of the condenser and evaporator is needed—for your comfort as well as your health.

How to maintain a room air conditioner?

• Once a year, clean the condenser (the part of the air conditioner that vents outside) and remove any debris (e.g., dead leaves) that may have got in. You can use an air compressor on a low setting, or wash with lukewarm water and mild detergent.
• Make sure the condensate drain holes aren’t blocked.

Split-system air conditioner or heat pumps

Wall-mounted or central air conditioners and heat pumps consist of one or more indoor units fed by an outdoor unit. Since the outdoor unit is exposed to the elements, it needs regular attention:

• If needed, vacuum away any debris stuck in the air conditioner housing. There must not be any plant or other material (e.g., paper) impeding air flow either inside or around the outside portion of the air conditioner.
• In the spring and fall, gently wash the outside coils with a garden hose (use low pressure).

Practical video advice

If you have a central air conditioning system, take a look at the Natural Resources Canada video Maintaining Your Air Conditioner to see what parts of the job you can do yourself.

Note that, to maintain efficiency, these systems require inspection and thorough cleaning by a specialized company every three years, or more often. And in the case of larger central heat pumps that also heat the home, for which performance testing is necessary, this must be done yearly.

Protecting the unit during winter

How to shelter your air conditioner during the cold season:

• With a fabric cover or rigid enclosure in the case of fixed, mounted units.
• In a garden shed, garage or basement in the case of portable and room air conditioners that are mounted in a window.

Did you know?

A quality room air conditioner should easily last more than 10 years, and in the case of a more complex system, the lifespan is more than 15 years.¹

Need more home maintenance tips? For moving, maintenance, renovations, and more, contact CAA-Quebec Residential Advisory Services!

1. Source: “Air Conditioning Your Home,” Natural Resources Canada