- A musty or stale smell. A smell when the unit starts up can point to build-up on the coil, fan or drain.
- Weaker airflow than before. Clogged filters and dirty internal parts can restrict air movement.
- Dust on the vents or louvres. If you can see dust sitting on the outlet or blowing out, the inside is likely dusty too.
- Visible mould or dark spots. Look at the louvres, vents and the area around the outlet.
- Water dripping from the indoor unit. A blocked condensate drain is a common cause, and cleaning and flushing the drain can help. If it keeps happening, get it checked.
- Rattling or unusual noises. Build-up on the fan can be one cause, but noises can also be mechanical, so don't assume.
- It takes longer to cool or heat the room. Dirty filters and coils can reduce performance, though low refrigerant and other faults can cause the same symptom.
When it's not a cleaning job
Switch the system off and contact a licensed air conditioning technician if you notice ice on the unit, a burning smell, repeated tripping of the power, error codes or a refrigerant leak. A clean won't fix a fault.
What a clean involves
A professional clean covers the filters, indoor cover, vents, louvres, coil, fan and condensate drain, with a sanitising treatment and an operational check at the end. See what is included and the prices.