Ductless mini-splits are quiet, efficient and easy to live with, but each indoor unit has its own filter and its own coil and fan, right in the room. Keeping them clean is what keeps them quiet, efficient and smelling fresh.
Clean the filters yourself
Most wall-mounted indoor units have washable mesh filters behind the front panel. Check them every month or two, more often with pets or in dusty weather.
- Turn the unit off with the remote.
- Lift the front panel; it usually tilts up and clicks into place.
- Slide the filters out.
- Vacuum them, or rinse them with lukewarm water. Mild soap is fine for greasy ones, like near a kitchen.
- Let them dry completely in the shade, then slide them back in.
Some units also have an extra air-cleaning filter that's replaced rather than washed. Your owner's manual says which you have.
Wipe the outside of the indoor unit with a soft dry cloth. Don't spray cleaner into the unit.
Keep the outdoor unit clear
Keep plants, leaves and stored items a couple of feet back, and make sure nothing drips onto it from the roof.
What a professional cleaning covers
Behind the filters, the indoor coil and the drum-shaped blower wheel collect dust and, over time, mold. A filter can't stop all of it. A professional service:
- cleans the indoor coil and the blower wheel, which usually means partly taking the indoor unit apart and protecting the wall,
- clears the condensate drain,
- cleans the outdoor coil,
- checks electrical connections, refrigerant operation and how the system is performing.
Signs an indoor unit needs attention
- A musty or sour smell when it starts
- Black specks or dust blowing out, or black spots on the blower wheel you can see through the louvers
- Water dripping from the indoor unit
- Weaker airflow, even with clean filters
- Louder than it used to be
How often
We recommend a professional service at least once a year, more often if a unit runs most of the year or is in a kitchen, a bedroom with pets, or a dusty room. A yearly visit is also usually required to keep extended warranty plans valid. Our maintenance plan reminds you when it's due.
Call us at 805-965-6326 or send us a message to schedule a cleaning.
Related
More tips on heat pumps, cooling, air quality.