Do My Ductless Minisplits Need To Be Cleaned?

One of the questions we get frequently here at Compass Heating & Air is whether your ductless mini-splits need to be cleaned, and if so, how often? 

Yes, Your Mini Splits Should Be Cleaned Regularly

As I am sure you have already guessed- yes, regardless of manufacturer, your ductless mini-split systems need to be maintained and cleaned, just like any other equipment in your home. This means regularly cleaning the filters in your system every month or so. But you should also schedule a deep cleaning once every year or two. 

Why Do Your Ductless Mini Splits Need To Be Cleaned?

Cleaning your ductless mini-splits will reduce the amount of dust and dirt in the filters and coils, and cleaning will increase the efficiency of the system and keep your indoor air quality high. Without regular cleaning, the systems will work harder, operate less efficiently, cost more to run, and break down sooner. Regular cleaning and maintenance helps your system last longer.  In addition, in order to maintain your warranty, regular service and maintenance is required.

Ductless mini splits also tend to build up mold and mildew over time. Moisture in the system sometimes sits there, creating an environment that is condusive for mold growth. A deep cleaning will use a mixture of chemicals and a high powered pressure cleaner to clear all this out. 

How Often Do I Need To Clean My Mini-Splits?

Just like with regular HVAC systems, you should clean or replace your filters every 4- 6 weeks, and after you have any work on your home done that kicks up a lot of dust into the air- tile work, drywall, wood work, and the like.

Your indoor unit should get a deep cleaning at least once every other year.  If you live in an especially dusty environment, consider once a year.

The outdoor unit should be inspected in the spring and fall, removing any leaves or debris around the outside unit.  Keep plantings at least a few feet away from the system on every side.

How Do I Clean My Mini-Splits?

If you are a “do-it-yourself” kind of person, you can do some of the cleaning tasks on your own. While some of the cleaning and maintenance tasks might seem easy for most homeowners, we recommend you rely on a professional HVAC technician to ensure your system is maintained and updated according to factory-recommended schedules and procedures, to keep your warranty in full force.

For a deep cleaning, we especially recommend using a professional. This involves using cleaning chemicals, and a high pressured water system inside your home. The last thing you want is a wet wall and another mess on your hands. 

Professional Mini Split Maintenance Service

Even if you’re diligent about DIY cleaning, ductless HVAC systems build up dirt, dust, mold, and grime in both the indoor and outdoor units. To safeguard your equipment and its efficiency, you should consider professional cleaning for your ductless system.

Whether you choose a professional cleaning or you do it yourself, you should give your mini split system a deep clean at least once a year. However, if you use your mini-split for both heating and cooling, it’s best to get it done twice a year.

DIY Mini Split Cleaning Includes:

1. Clean the unit cabinet inside your home with a dry cloth or small vacuum periodically to keep dirt and dust from accumulating.
2. Every 4-6 weeks, inspect and clean the indoor unit’s air filter, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. For your safety, turn the system off before opening the cabinet.
3. With the power turned off, clean dust and dirt from inside the cabinet using a small vacuum or dry cloth.
4. Inspect the outdoor unit periodically – remove accumulated leaves and other debris from the base of the cabinet, keep nearby plantings trimmed away from the unit, and check the coil for dirt and debris between the delicate fins.
5. With the power turned off, you can clean the coils on the outdoor unit with a garden hose – do not use a high-pressure nozzle. Be sure the unit is completely dry before turning the system back on.

When you call an experienced HVAC contractor like the folks here at Compass for a more thorough mini split cleaning, here’s summary of what we’ll do:

1. Inspect, clean or replace the air filters. The recommended way to clean the air filter can depend on the type of filter used by your specific system.
2. Clean removable parts, the fan and evaporator coil inside the indoor unit.
3. To clean the indoor coil, the technician may treat it with a commercially available coil cleaner, followed by a light rinse.
4. Clean the condensing unit and outdoor coil, possibly with a coil cleaning solution and rinse.
5. Some technicians may follow up a coil cleaning by applying something to prevent fungus or bacteria from building up on the coils.
6. Inspect all other system components, including the mounting hardware, electrical connections and refrigerant lines. If the system is low on charge or showing an icy buildup on the coils, they may even check for a refrigerant leak.

Sometimes your mini split heat pump or air conditioning system may require more than the typical maintenance. If you are performing a mini split coil cleaning or inspecting the system yourself, signs that you should call a professional include:

• Excessive condensation, ice build-up or freezing of the coil
• A part looks broken and you are not 100% sure how to fix or replace it
• Signs of condensate/water leakage from or near the indoor unit
• No airflow or reduced airflow from the indoor unit
• New or unusual sounds coming from the indoor or outdoor units

How to Clean Mini Split Filters

Knowing how to clean mini split filters is one of the easiest and effective ways to ensure your comfort and the efficiency of your mini split comfort system. Here’s how:

1. Turn off the system
2. Open the cabinet door
3. Remove the air filter or filters – they usually slide out easily – paying close attention to how they are seated in the cabinet
4. Clean the air filters using a light vacuum – or any other method recommended by the manufacturer
5. Re-install the cleaned filter carefully as they were originally positioned
6. Close the cabinet door and restore power

Cleaning the Outdoor Unit of Your Mini-Split

To clean the outdoor unit of your mini-split, start by removing any debris such as twigs, leaves, or grass that’s in, on, or around the unit. Then, use a garden hose or coil cleaning tool to spray down the exterior of the outdoor unit- DO NOT use high pressure nozzles- you could damage the unit.  Use a cloth to remove any dirt or grime that has accumulated on the unit’s housing. When you’re done cleaning a mini-split, make sure to dry it with a cloth.

Next, use your hose and a cloth or cleaning brush to spray and scrub the grille as well as the fan cage of the outdoor unit. Once the grille is clean, remove it if you can, and use a damp cloth and soap to carefully clean the fan blades. The metal blades are fragile, so exercise caution to avoid bending or otherwise damaging them. When cleaning the blades, rinse them with water and wipe them dry with a clean cloth to prevent rusting.

Our Best Recommendation

Here at Compass, we recommend you get your Mini-split system serviced twice a year, and consider a deep cleaning at least once a year, to help keep your system running efficiently, and to make sure you have great indoor air quality. If you need to have your mini-splits cleaned or serviced, just give us a call here at Compass. Our experienced staff can help you maintain your system- and your warranty – by regular service, and we’ll help you stay comfortable all year long.