Ductless mini-split HVAC systems make great comfort solutions for homes in Boca Raton, FL. There are multiple reasons for this. One is that they do an excellent job of controlling humidity levels in your residence. Some even have a specialized dry mode meant just for that purpose. Plus, they’re highly efficient, which is always a plus in our area since we depend so heavily on air conditioning. However, ductless mini-splits have different maintenance needs from conventional central HVAC systems. And if you’re not familiar with them, you could end up damaging your mini-split and your home’s air quality. Here is everything you need to know about how often you must clean your mini-split and how to do it.
How Often Do Mini-Splits Need Cleaning?
In general, your ductless mini-split needs a thorough cleaning once every year. However, this is the type of cleaning that you need a professional HVAC technician to perform. A professional mini-split cleaning requires specialized tools and cleaning products. So, it isn’t something you should try to tackle on your own. It includes the cleaning of your system’s internal components, which requires partial disassembly.
You can have that type of cleaning as a part of your yearly maintenance appointment with Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration. During the visit, one of our expert HVAC technicians will:
- Clean both the indoor and the outdoor unit
- Check and tighten electrical connections
- Clean fans and coils in each air handler
- Lubricate moving parts
- Inspect all other components and clean as necessary
It’s important to note, however, that you should clean certain parts of your mini-split yourself periodically, too. Some cleaning tasks should be a part of your monthly household cleaning schedule. Others are only necessary every two to three months. They include the following.
Periodic Indoor Unit Cleaning
Every few weeks, you should wipe down each of your mini-split’s indoor units with a soft, dry cloth. If you wish, you can use a vacuum with a wand attachment to remove dust from your air handlers. Doing this should help you limit the spread of dust into your home’s air whenever your mini-split operates. Make sure to turn off the power to your mini-split before you clean your air handlers, however. This will protect you from shocks and prevent potential damage to your mini-split.
Periodic Filter Cleanings
You should also wash the air filters in your air handlers every month or month and a half. Most mini-splits include reusable air filters, so you can wash them as often as you want. All you need to do is turn off your air handlers, remove their air filters, and rinse them with a sink sprayer. Then, let them dry on a countertop before replacing them. You don’t need to use any cleaning products, and you should never use any abrasive sponges or brushes. You should also increase your air filter cleaning frequency if your home has pets or is especially dusty. Every bit of dust you remove from your filters helps the rest of your system stay clean between deep cleanings.
Periodically Clean Your Outdoor Unit
Every month or two, you should also inspect the area surrounding your mini-split’s outdoor unit. Over time, debris and detritus can accumulate there and reduce your outdoor unit’s efficiency. Things like leaves and twigs can even get into your outdoor unit’s fan blades. To clean your outdoor unit, turn off your mini-split and gently rinse it with a garden hose. Then, clean up around the unit with a broom to remove any loose debris. Allow an hour or so for your outdoor unit to dry, and then you can turn your mini-split back on.
What Happens if You Don’t Clean Your Mini-Split?
If you neglect regular cleaning of your mini-split, it can lead to a variety of problems. The first thing that will happen is your mini-split gradually losing efficiency. This is because the heat exchangers in your indoor and outdoor units won’t do their job as effectively. They rely on coming into direct contact with the air to transfer heat to and from your system’s refrigerant. However, dust and dirt make very good insulators. When those substances build up on the fins of your evaporator and condenser coils, the equipment will begin struggling. You’ll pay for that through higher electricity bills and eventually less comfort in your home.
A dirty mini-split will also harm the indoor air quality of your residence. As your mini-split operates, it will recirculate dust and dirt into your air if it isn’t kept clean. Preventing that is the main purpose of your mini-split’s air filters. However, they don’t stop everything. Whatever particulate matter and dust evade the filters can get deposited on your unit’s fans and evaporator coil. From there, they can end up back in your home’s air. This is why keeping your filters clean is essential, as are the aforementioned yearly deep cleanings.
Here in Boca Raton, mini-splits also face another potential problem if you don’t clean them regularly. Since our local average humidity is always over 60%, mini-splits operating here are prone to mold growth. This is especially prevalent inside mini-split air handlers. That is where your system extracts moisture from the air. They provide the perfect dark and damp environment necessary for mold to thrive. Mold inside your mini-split air handlers can pose a health risk to everyone in your home. It can reduce your mini-split’s cooling capacity and eventually damage your system.
Your mini-split may also not last as long as it should if you don’t clean it regularly. A well-maintained mini-split can last for between 15 and 20 years. Since your mini-split represents a significant investment, regular cleanings are a small price to pay to protect it. Failing to keep your mini-split clean may also void its warranty in some situations. That can lead to unnecessary costs if your system ever needs repair. Over the lifetime of your mini-split, those costs can start to add up faster than you might imagine.
Your Local Ductless Mini-Split Experts
If your Boca Raton home has a ductless mini-split or you’re thinking of installing one, our team at Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration can help. We’ve served local homeowners for over 15 years, and we’re a woman-owned and -operated business. We offer comprehensive HVAC services, including installation, repair, and maintenance. Of course, that means we can handle the latest ductless mini-split HVAC systems. We also furnish complete plumbing services, as well as fire, water, and mold restoration services. We offer honest, fixed-rate pricing and fast, same-day service whenever possible. Plus, our highly-trained staff will treat you and your home with respect while they work.
Those are some of the reasons why we’ve been a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave for two consecutive years. It’s also why we’re accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. We can even offer you financing options on approved credit if you need help to afford a new ductless mini-split. So, for all things related to ductless mini-splits and other air conditioning services, call us at Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration today!
