With high temperatures already installed in much of the country, air conditioning once again becomes essential in thousands of homes. Before turning it on for the first time after months of standing still, many people choose to remove the filters, wash them, and replace them. However, professionals in the sector warn that this gesture, although recommended, does not guarantee that the equipment is truly clean or prepared to operate in the best conditions.
This is explained by an air conditioning technician from the SIT Granollers company, who in a video broadcast on TikTok dismantles one of the most widespread ideas about the domestic maintenance of this equipment. The specialist assures that a proper inspection goes far beyond cleaning the filters and remembers that there are essential components that usually go completely unnoticed.
Cleaning filters is important, but it is not enough for good maintenance
Air conditioning filters have the function of retaining dust, pollen and other particles present in the environment to prevent them from circulating inside the home. Keeping them clean encourages air flow and helps the equipment work more efficiently.
However, the technician insists that limiting maintenance to this task leaves the areas where the most dirt accumulates unchecked. “We see a lot of customers telling us that the technician only cleans the filters, checks that the temperatures are correct and that’s it. That’s not doing a good cleaning,” he says.
As he explains, professional maintenance must include cleaning and disinfecting other key parts to guarantee both the performance of the device and the quality of the air.
The battery and turbine concentrate much of the dirt
One of the points where the specialist insists most is on the evaporator coil and the turbine of the indoor unit. Due to the humidity generated by the operation of the air conditioning, both pieces can accumulate dust, dirt and even microorganisms over time.
“The first thing is to disinfect the entire battery with bleach, or any disinfectant,” he explains. But he adds that there is another element that is equally relevant.
The turbine, responsible for propelling air into the room, also needs periodic cleaning to avoid bad odors, reduce the accumulation of dirt and maintain adequate air flow.
Good maintenance also includes checking the electrical part.
In addition to cleaning, the technician remembers that a complete inspection must check the general condition of the equipment. Among other tasks, it recommends verifying that the electrical connections are correctly adjusted and checking the operation of the indoor and outdoor units.
“We always have to verify that all the electrical terminals are tight and that the consumption of both the indoor and outdoor units is correct,” he explains.
These checks allow small anomalies to be detected before they become more costly breakdowns and help the appliance to operate more energy-efficiently.
The outdoor unit also needs cleaning to avoid higher consumption
Although it is often forgotten because it is installed on facades, balconies or terraces, the outdoor unit plays an essential role in the operation of the system.
In fact, the specialist assures that it is the part of the equipment to which he dedicates the most time during maintenance. “The most important machine is always the outdoor one. You have to check the compressor, make sure the valve works, make sure all the amperages are correct, and do a good cleaning of the outdoor battery,” he points out.
The technician explains that it is common for users to clean only the visible part of the device and forget about the outdoor unit. “We see a lot that people only clean what is visible,” he comments.
Why dirty equipment consumes more and can last less time
Neglecting air conditioning maintenance not only affects the hygiene of the equipment. When dirt accumulates on the battery or hinders heat exchange in the outdoor unit, the appliance needs to work for longer to reach the desired temperature.
The specialist insists that complete maintenance should not be limited to superficial cleaning. “Don’t be fooled and have your air conditioning well maintained if you want it to last for many years,” he concludes. As he explains, checking both the indoor and outdoor units contributes to improving the performance of the equipment, reducing electrical consumption and prolonging its useful life.
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