Now the weather's warming up, you might be feeling inspired to pull your summer wardrobe out of storage, contemplate a new pair of swimmers and maybe even do a spot of spring cleaning to freshen up your home.
Cleaning your air conditioner probably isn't on your list of things to do – but it should be.
It's not the most exciting task, but unless you're a fan of huge electricity bills and an uncomfortably hot home, it's worth the effort.
On this page:
- Why you should clean your air conditioner
- What happens if you don't clean it?
- How to spring-clean your air conditioner
Why you should clean your air conditioner
A dirty, clogged-up air conditioner won't be able to do its job properly.
It'll struggle to draw in air, cool it and send it back out into your home – and it'll have to work harder than ever to do it, which means it'll burn through more electricity to produce less cool air.
All that extra work can cause it to burn out faster too, which means you'll have to replace it sooner.
And if the money and comfort aren't enough of an incentive to give it a clean, there's also the potential health effects. Mould can grow in a dirty air conditioner, which is not something you want pumped into your home.
What happens if you don't clean it?
While CHOICE staff might be good at giving advice, we don't always follow it ourselves. Pru Engel, CHOICE's Audience & Engagement Editor, knew that air conditioner filters need to be cleaned regularly, but she's a busy working mum and just hadn't had time to do it.
"We'd been running the air con over winter for heating, and I noticed the two units weren't working as well as they used to. Then we got a higher than normal electricity bill," she says.
This is what 3+ years of dust on an air con filter looks like.
"Guess what? The filters were horrendously filthy. I'm so embarrassed by how gross they were. I know that you're supposed to clean and service your air conditioner regularly, but we've lived here for three years and never touched them."
Since it'd been so long in between services, Pru called in a professional.
"I didn't tell him I write articles all the time about how to maintain your air conditioner to save on your energy bills," she laughs.
"He said they weren't working properly because the air basically couldn't get through. They cleaned the filters, louvres, coils and fins and checked all the parts. Both units are working perfectly now!"
How to spring-clean your air conditioner
While we recommend you have your air con serviced regularly, there are a few tasks you can do yourself to keep it running smoothly in between.
These three steps won't take long but they'll save you money in the long run, and help you get the most from your air conditioner. Of course, it's best to read your air con manual before you start as every model is different.
For a detailed run-down on what to do and how often, check our guide to cleaning your air conditioner. We also explain how to troubleshoot common problems with your air con.
1. Dust the dust filters
Pop open the plastic cover and remove the filter (or filters).
Use a brush or vacuum to clean off the dust. If they're particularly dirty, wash them with some detergent, rinse and make sure they're dry before you put them back in.
2. Wipe over the louvres
These are the blades that move up, down and side to side to distribute hot or cold air through the room.
Use a dry cloth or your vacuum cleaner to clean up any dust.
3. Clean the outdoor unit
Dust, leaves and cobwebs can accumulate on the outdoor compressor.
Use a brush to clear them away, and use your vacuum to get rid of dust inside the air intake.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family. And our recent sunscreens test showed just how important it is to keep business claims in check.
So you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
Learn more about CHOICE membership today
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
