Aircon
How to Clean Your Aircon Filter (and Why It Matters)
The single easiest thing you can do to keep your aircon cooling well and running cheaply is to clean the filters regularly. It takes minutes, and it’s genuinely DIY-friendly. Here’s how — and where professional servicing takes over.
Key takeaways
- Clean filters every few weeks — a clogged filter weakens cooling and raises bills.
- It’s a simple DIY job: open the front, remove, rinse, dry, refit.
- Filters clean the air but don’t reach the coil — that needs servicing.
- Regular filter care reduces how often you need a chemical wash.
How to clean the filter
Turn the unit off, open the front cover of the indoor unit, and lift out the mesh filters. Rinse them under running water (a soft brush helps with stubborn dust), let them dry fully, then refit. Do this every few weeks in regular use — more often if you run it heavily.
Why it matters
A dust-clogged filter restricts airflow, so the unit works harder, cools less, and uses more electricity — and trapped dust can start to smell. Clean filters fix all of that for free.
Where DIY ends
Filters only handle the surface. The coil, fan and drainage inside still collect grime that a rinse can’t reach — that’s the job of a professional service or chemical wash. Think of filter cleaning as maintenance between services, not a replacement for them — see how often to service your aircon.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my aircon filter? Every few weeks in regular use — more with heavy use.
Can I wash the filter with water? Yes — rinse, dry fully, then refit.
Does cleaning the filter replace servicing? No — the coil and drainage still need professional servicing.
Why is my aircon still weak after cleaning the filter? The coil may need a service or chemical wash.
Due for a service?
We service and chemical-wash aircons to restore full cooling. See our aircon service. Get a free quote today.
