Aircon cleaning: how often & what to do

How Often Should You Book an Aircon Cleaning

Clean washable filters every 2–4 weeks during heavy use (fortnightly in the tropics), and check monthly the rest of the year. Book a professional service yearly (stretch to 12–18 months only in light use). Shorten the schedule if you have pets, dust, mould risk or run the unit daily.

Why Regular Aircon Cleaning Matters (Health, Efficiency, Warranty) 

  • Better airflow & lower bills: Clogged filters and dirty coils restrict airflow and waste energy. Each extra degree of cooling/heating can lift energy use by ~5–10%, so keeping the unit clean helps you hold a higher (summer) or lower (winter) set-point comfortably. 
  • Fewer breakdowns & longer life: Dust and biofilm make components work harder and run hotter. Regular cleaning and an annual service reduce wear.  
  • Healthier indoor air: Damp coils and drain pans can harbour mould; exposure can aggravate asthma and allergies.  
  • Warranty peace of mind: Most brands expect routine maintenance and licensed work for any internal servicing, check your manual and service record.

Stat callout: “Each degree of extra heating/cooling increases energy use by about 5–10%.”  

DIY Aircon Cleaning Tips (Safe, Quick Wins)

Applies to wall-mounted split systems. 

  • Power off at the isolator or switch. 
  • Open the front cover and remove the dust filters. 
  • Vacuum gently (soft brush) or wash in warm water with mild detergent; dry completely before refitting. 
  • Wipe louvres & fascia with a damp microfibre cloth. 
  • Outdoor unit: clear leaves, dirt and obstructions around the coil; keep 300–500 mm clearance if possible. 
  • After cooling on humid days, run DRY/FAN mode for 10–20 minutes to reduce moisture.

Caution: 

  • Skip harsh cleaners (they can damage plastics/fins). 
  • Don’t disassemble beyond user-access parts; if you see visible mould inside the coil or fan barrel, stop and book a pro clean.  

Split System Aircon Cleaning: What’s Unique? 

Most grime builds up inside the indoor head filters, evaporator coil and fan barrel catch dust and moisture, especially in humid or coastal homes and where pets shed. Meanwhile the outdoor condenser gathers fluff and garden debris that can choke airflow. Use this quick visual checklist: filters, louvres, drain pan/drain line, outdoor coil clearance. In many Aussie homes, reverse-cycle splits run year-round (cooling and heating), so a pre-season spring or autumn service keeps performance steady.  

Aircon Coil Cleaning (Evaporator & Condenser) 

Why coils matter: Heat exchange happens at the coils. When they’re dirty, capacity drops and the compressor works longer. Lab data shows a small rise in condensing temperature from dirty coils can cut cooling capacity by ~7% and increase power use by ~16%. That adds up. Deep coil cleaning is best handled by a licensed technician. Signs you need it: musty odours, visible biofilm, repeat drain clogs, or poor airflow even after a fresh filter clean.  

Best Aircon Cleaning Products & Sprays (What to Use/Avoid) 

  • Use: Mild detergent + water for filters; microfibre cloth for plastics; soft brush for dust. 
  • Only if approved by your manufacturer: non-caustic coil foams (follow instructions; protect electronics; rinse thoroughly). 
  • Avoid: aggressive solvents/bleach on plastics or fins; dry brushing of mould (spreads spores). Always check the manual first.

Professional aircon cleaning: what’s included & how often 

Cadence: Book yearly; stretch to 12–18 months if usage is light. Time it pre-summer (or pre-winter in colder states) to avoid downtime.  

 

Typical inclusions 

  • System inspection and temperatures/pressures check 
  • Evaporator/condenser coil clean and sanitise 
  • Fan barrel clean (split heads) 
  • Condensate drain & pan clean/flush 
  • Electrical safety and connection checks 
  • Outdoor unit wash-down and clearance 
  • Report/photos and recommendations  

 

Aircon cleaning price in Australia (typical ranges) 

Prices vary by city and scope, but these guides reflect what Aussies commonly pay:

Service 

Typical price (incl. GST) 

What it covers 

Basic split-system clean/service 

$86–$200 

Filters, surface clean, basic checks, outdoor rinse.  

Deep/hydro clean (split) 

$150–$380+ 

Coil & fan-barrel clean/sanitise, drain flush, detailed checks.  

Ducted system service 

$250–$350+ 

Multiple returns/filters, coil clean, system checks.  

 
Notes: Multi-unit discounts are common; scope varies (e.g., full fan-barrel removal vs surface sanitise). Ask for itemised inclusions and photos on completion.  

 

Aircon cleaning service near me: how to choose a pro 

  • Licence & insurance (ARCtick for refrigerant work; electrical licence where required) 
  • Transparent inclusions (what’s cleaned exactly? coil, barrel, drain?) 
  • Fixed-price quote and any multi-unit rates 
  • Photos/report for landlords or strata records 
  • Good reviews and turnaround time before peak season 
  • Respect for your place: drop sheets, tidy finish, clear communication 

Micro-FAQ for capitals 

  • Sydney/Melbourne: book 3 to 6 weeks pre-summer. 
  • Brisbane/Darwin: higher humidity, clean filters fortnightly in season.  
  • Perth/Adelaide: wind-borne dust, check filters monthly in summer. 
  • Canberra/Hobart: prewinter service for reverse-cycle heating. 

 

How often should you clean your aircon if you… 

  • Have pets or live coastal/dusty: Filters fortnightly in season; pro service every 6–12 months.  
  • Live in high humidity or have mould risk: Filters fortnightly, keep DRY/FAN after cooling, and book annual deep clean. Avoid dry brushing mould.  
  • Run a clinic/salon/retail space: Stick to annual (or 6–12 months) for hygiene; schedule outside trading hours.  
  • Holiday let/low-use: Filters at each changeover; professional check annually before peak season.  

 

Mould, moisture and indoor air quality 

 

Mould growth around coils and drain pans can release spores and odours that irritate airways and worsen asthma. Clean safely (detergent or vinegar solutions on hard surfaces; dry fully), don’t dry-brush, wear PPE, and fix moisture sources. For bigger problems or porous materials, call in specialists.  

 

When to replace vs clean 

Consider replacing if your unit is 10 to 12+ years old, has repeat faults, corroded coils, persistent odour after a professional deep clean, or you’re facing rising bills compared with new efficient inverters. An annual service keeps older units going, but a planned upgrade can cut running costs and improve comfort.  

 

DIY vs professional clean (at-a-glance)

Task 

DIY 

Pro service 

Power off, open cover, clean filters 

✅ Quick and free 

✅ Included 

Wipe louvres/fascia 

✅ 

✅ 

Clear debris around outdoor unit 

✅ 

✅ (plus wash-down) 

Clean evaporator coil & fan barrel 

⚠️ Light dusting only 

✅ Deep/hydro clean & sanitise 

Flush condensate drain/pan 

❌ (risk of spill) 

✅ 

Check refrigerant/electrical 

❌ 

✅ 

Report/photos for records 

— 

✅ 

FAQs

How often should you clean your aircon filters in Australia?
Every 2–4 weeks in heavy use (fortnightly in the tropics), otherwise monthly—check your manual. Energy.gov.au
How often should you book a professional aircon clean?
Annually is standard; 12–18 months in light use. Bring it forward if you notice odours, leaks or weak airflow. Metropolitan Heating and Cooling
What’s included in professional cleaning?
Coil and fan-barrel clean, drain sanitise/flush, filter service, electrical/refrigerant checks, temp/airflow tests, and outdoor wash-down. Energy.gov.au
How much does aircon cleaning cost in Australia?
About $86–$200 for a basic split clean; $150–$380+ for deep/hydro cleans; ducted costs more. Ask for itemised inclusions. hipages · Canstar Blue
Are “aircon cleaning sprays” safe to use?
Only if manufacturer-approved and non-caustic. For internal coils/barrels, a licensed tech is safest. Energy.gov.au
Do dirty coils really increase power bills?
Yes—dirty coils reduce capacity and lift power use; cleaning restores performance. Energy.gov.au
What’s different about split-system cleaning?
Most dirt is in the indoor head (filters, coil, fan barrel). Outdoor clearance still matters. Clean filters often; service yearly. CHOICE
How do I know it’s time to book a clean?
Look for musty odours, visible dust/mould, reduced airflow, higher bills, water drips or odd noises.
Is aircon mould dangerous?
Mould can irritate airways and worsen asthma/allergies—clean safely and fix moisture sources. Better Health Channel
What if I rent or manage properties?
Add filter checks to entry/exit, service annually pre-summer, and keep reports/photos for compliance and warranty. Energy.gov.au

 

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