Wall-mounted air conditioners and heat pumps play an important role in keeping your home comfortable. To maintain their performance, ensure good air quality, and extend their lifespan, regular maintenance is essential.
One question we often hear from our customers is: when should you clean a wall-mounted air conditioner or heat pump?
There are actually two complementary types of maintenance: basic maintenance that you can perform yourself at home and professional maintenance carried out by a qualified technician. Together, they help keep your air conditioner or heat pump operating properly, improve air quality, and prevent costly breakdowns.
At-Home Maintenance: Every Season (or Monthly if You Have Pets)
The first level of maintenance involves regularly cleaning the easily accessible components of your system.
As a general rule, we recommend doing this at every change of season, or approximately four times a year. However, if you have pets, if your home is particularly dusty, or if someone in your household suffers from allergies, it is best to clean the system once a month.
This maintenance includes:
- cleaning or washing the air filters;
- dusting the indoor unit;
- checking the air intakes and outlets to make sure they are not obstructed;
- cleaning the outdoor unit to remove leaves, pollen, dust, and other debris. For a house, gently rinsing the unit with a garden hose is generally sufficient. For a condo or apartment where a hose is not accessible, a bucket of water and a cloth can also be used to clean the exterior surfaces of the unit;
- visually inspecting the unit for any buildup of dust, mould, or dirt.
These simple steps help maintain proper airflow, reduce unpleasant odours, and preserve indoor air quality.
Professional Maintenance: Every 2 to 3 Years
Even with regular at-home maintenance, some components remain inaccessible and require professional servicing.
The recommended frequency depends on your system:
- Heat pump (heating and cooling): professional maintenance every 2 years.
- Air conditioner used only for cooling: professional maintenance every 3 years.
During a complete maintenance service, a technician will typically:
- thoroughly clean the back of the indoor unit;
- service the compressor (outdoor unit);
- clean the condensate drain;
- perform a general inspection of the main components to ensure the system is operating properly.
This type of maintenance helps remove buildups of dust, dirt, and moisture that can reduce the unit’s efficiency and contribute to mold growth.
Why Is Regular Maintenance Important?
A well-maintained wall-mounted air conditioner or heat pump operates more efficiently and maintains its performance for longer.
On the other hand, a poorly maintained unit can lead to:
- reduced energy efficiency;
- increased electricity consumption;
- reduced air quality;
- premature wear of components;
- a higher risk of repairs.
By combining regular at-home maintenance with professional servicing according to the recommended schedule, you can maximize the lifespan of your system while maintaining optimal comfort.
Wall-Mounted Air Conditioner Cleaning: Trust GestionAir
Wall-Mounted Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Cleaning: Trust GestionAir
At GestionAir, we recommend not waiting until a problem occurs before scheduling maintenance for your system.
At-home maintenance is essential for keeping your unit running properly on a daily basis, while professional maintenance allows inaccessible internal components to be thoroughly cleaned and helps maintain the system’s long-term performance.
The cost of professional maintenance can vary depending on the type of unit and its installation. To get a price tailored to your situation, contact our team. We’ll be happy to advise you and schedule your maintenance at the right time.
FAQ About Cleaning a Wall-Mounted Air Conditioner or Heat Pump
Does a dirty wall-mounted air conditioner or heat pump use more electricity?
Yes. When the filters and internal components are dirty, the unit has to work harder to heat or cool your home, which can lead to increased electricity consumption.
Can I use my wall-mounted air conditioner or heat pump immediately after cleaning it?
Yes, as long as all cleaned components are completely dry before turning the unit back on.
Is it normal for a wall-mounted air conditioner or heat pump to give off an odour?
A slight odour when the unit is first turned on after a long period of inactivity can be normal. However, a persistent musty or damp smell may indicate that a deep cleaning is needed.
Does cleaning a wall-mounted air conditioner or heat pump improve indoor air quality?
Yes. By removing dust, allergens, and other contaminants from the filters and internal components, regular maintenance helps keep your indoor air cleaner and healthier.
