If you have a split system unit, it’s important to regularly maintain it to keep it performing at it’s best. That said, how do you clean the unit as instructed by the manufacturer?
According to these statistics, the air conditioner market in Australia is projected to grow by 5.25% (2025-2029); in short, you’re going to want a decent heating and cooling system throughout all seasons.
This blog will explain why regular cleaning is essential, how to clean your indoor and outdoor unit, and to always make sure the air produced is healthier and cleaner for your family. After all, you want your home or commercial building to be comfortable for everyone.
Regularly cleaning your split system air conditioner (especially brands like Daikin and Mitsubishi) is essential for maintaining peak performance all year round, but why else is cleaning so important?
If your filter is dirty and clogged with grime and dust, less air passes through the filter. This restriction causes your system to work harder, causing:
Decreased heating and cooling capacity: the hotter or colder coil (depending on the mode of the system) can go into fault or cause the system to run at a reduced capacity. The system will need to work harder to maintain the set temperature.
Higher energy consumption: A blocked filter forces the unit to run longer cycles, increasing energy costs.
It strains internal components: You may also notice an increased strain on internal components (motors, fans, and compressors), which can be expensive to repair down the line.
A blocked filter also impacts the fan. If the fan isn’t flowing properly, the fan won’t be able to move as much air, causing the system to struggle to maintain the desired temperature. Issues include:
Long run times and increased wear and tear since the unit isn’t reaching the warmth or coolness you’re wanting
The fan doesn’t spin as freely, so the distribution of air effectively
The fan can accumulate dust, leading to bad odours and possible mould growth!
Daikin and Mitsubishi split systems rely on a balance of airflow to regulate the temperature of their coils. For example:
Common error codes related to dirty coils and filters include Mitsubishi P8, E9, and U4 (airflow and heating issues) and Daikin codes U4, A6, and J3 with coil and fan temperature problems.
A split system keeps your temperature inside comfortable, but it also helps filter the air in your home. A dirty system can:
Mitsubishi and Daikin split systems often include advanced air purification filters, but they only work effectively if kept clean.
Never cleaned an air conditioning system before? Don’t stress. Here’s a fast guide.
A good place to start is with the filters! After lifting the cover of the split system, lift up the curved mesh plate and take them out. You’ll probably notice a lot of grey fluff, dust and debris.
Wash the filters with cool water, and if the dirt doesn’t wash out, hold the filters in warm water or add a few drops of liquid soap to help it dissolve. Next, rinse with running water and wait until the parts have tried naturally. Once tried, wipe down with a soft cloth; you can also dry the filters outside on a sunny day. Before putting the filters back, vacuum inside the split system and wipe accessible areas with a soft rag.
The rotating fan pushes cool air into a room, but you want to prevent dust and dirt from blocking the fan from doing its job.
Before cleaning the fan, it’s a good idea to cover the wall with protective film and cover the floor so dirt flying out of the aircon doesn’t spray everywhere! Use soapy water on the blades and once the dirt soaks, turn on the fan to its lowest speed.
You can also a use a toothbrush and the soapy solution. If you’re concerned about damaging the fan blades, reach out to a professional who can service your system and get it back to optimal performance.
Is water not flowing out, but into your room? Grease and dirt could be clogging your drain passages; fungus and mould can spread to your drain pan, and then to your radiator. Ultimately, it will affect clean air in your home.
You can clean the drain with a brush and dishwashing detergent, double check that the drain pan is clean and keep an eye on it for prevention.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time on this type of cleaning, you can replace your current split system with an automatic self-cleaning system. Switching to idle mode dries the internet knots for you. However, smart conditions still require manual cleaning as they don’t wash the filters by themselves.
When you own a split system, cleaning the outdoor unit is the most dreading part as it’s located outside and getting access to it can be complicated. Thankfully, it only needs a deep clean once or twice a year! So, how should you go about it?
Turn off the power to the unit, and remove the top cover and manually remove any debris. Next, take a power vacuum cleaner and treat all available surfaces with it, and clean what is left of it with a medium-lint brush.
Wipe the cleaned surfaces with a soft, damp cloth, but always make sure not to touch the electrical circuit of the unit. Leave anything you’re uncertain about to a professional repairer.
If you would like to learn more, read our Mitsubishi Electric air conditioning guide to maintenance and repairs.
What are some sure-fire ways of knowing you need to clean your system?
In this case, clean the condenser coil to restore performance.
If your Mitsubishi split system, for example, is showing some odd signs, it might be time to put a professional service on your calendar. Here are some of the common things performed:
Mitsubishi and Daikin recommend:
Cleaning the air filters once every 2 to 4 weeks (but clean them more often in dusty environments)
Every 3 to 6 months, wipe down the indoor unit vents and casing to remove dust build and check the indoor unit for leaves, dirt, or debris blocking airflow
Scheduling a professional deep clean at least once a year to remove a build-up of stubborn dirt from coils, drain pans, and internal components
If your split system emits a bad smell, struggle to heat or cool, has unusual noises, it’s most likely overdue for a professional service clean.
Australian Climate Systems recommends servicing your system every 2-3 years.
The technology is a combination of different yet specialised components, systems, and functions within Mitsubishi Heavy Industries split system air conditioners that work together to improve your air quality. Some of the benefits include:
Do you need heating and cooling repair or a split systems service in Melbourne? We repair heating and cooling systems for Wantirna, Balwyn, Bayswater, Bentleigh, Forest Hill, Kilsyth, and Glen Waverley properties. You don’t need to stress about the repair process.
Whether your concerns are air filters, the condenser coil, or costly repairs, Aust Climate can restore your split system air conditioner. We offer repairs and regular maintenance that will leave you satisfied.
We offer a split systems service booking, all you need to do is let us known the type of system and contact information and we’ll get back to you.
With technicians fully trained and experienced in servicing and repairing gas ducted heaters, evaporative coolers, and split systems.
Contact us today at 03 9726 4444, email [email protected], or come visit us in Chirnside Park.
