[Home Tips] How often should you clean dust from your air conditioner?
❄️ How often should you clean your air conditioner? A practical guide to Hong Kong
Hong Kong's summers are long, hot, and humid, and air conditioners are often on daily. Add to that the dust, pollen, and hair in the air, and it's easy for dust to accumulate inside your air conditioner over time. This dust accumulation not only prevents the air conditioner from cooling properly and increases your electricity bill , but it can also breed mold and bacteria, which can be detrimental to your health.
1️⃣ The impact of dust accumulation in air conditioners🔍
- Cooling efficiency decreases → Dust blocks the filter and evaporator, reducing air volume.
- Rising electricity bills 💰 → Machines need to run at higher power, increasing electricity consumption.
- Odor 🤢 → Dust + moisture = musty/sour smell.
- Health Risks → The air can carry mold, dust mites, and bacteria, which can easily cause nasal allergies and tracheitis.
2️⃣ Cleaning frequency recommendations in Hong Kong 📅
Based on Hong Kong's weather, air quality, and usage habits, we've compiled the following schedule:
| Usage Environment | Recommended filter cleaning frequency | Professional deep cleaning is recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Average household (6-8 hours per day in summer) | Every 2-4 weeks | Every 6-12 months |
| With pets/near the road | Every 2 weeks | Every 6 months |
| Elderly/Infant Living | Every 2 weeks | Every 6 months |
| Shop/ Air conditioning on all the time | Every week | Every 3-6 months |
💡Editor 's note : You can clean the filter yourself, but deep cleaning (including the evaporator, blower, and drain pan) is best left to professionals, especially for split-system air conditioners.
3️⃣ How to clean the filter yourself🪛
Step 1: Turn off the power
Safety first, unplug or turn off the switch.
Step 2: Remove the filter
Open the front cover of the air conditioner and carefully remove the filter.
Step 3: Vacuum or rinse with water
- Use a vacuum cleaner (with a soft-bristle brush) to remove dust.
- Or rinse with water (do not use hot water to avoid deformation).
Step 4: Air Dry
- The filter must be completely dry before putting it back into the machine to avoid mold.
Step 5: Wipe the outer shell
- Use a damp cloth and neutral detergent to clean the dust on the outer shell.
4️⃣ When should I call for professional cleaning? 🧑🔧
- Musty/sour smell when turning on the computer
- The wind has weakened significantly
- The air conditioning is not cold enough
- There are obvious black spots or mold inside the machine
- dripping/leaking
Professional cleaning will use a high-pressure water gun or steam machine to clean the evaporator, blower, and drain pan, and will also disinfect and sterilize.
5️⃣ Special Notes for Hong Kong📍
- Coastal areas → Salt can easily corrode the heat sink, so frequent inspections are recommended.
- Rainy season/humid weather → The inside of the air conditioner is more prone to mold and mildew, so cleaning frequency should be increased.
- Newly installed air conditioner → It is recommended to check the filter one month after the first use, as there may be dust residue during installation.
6️⃣ Long-term maintenance and dust prevention tips🛡
- Turn on the dehumidification function → Reduce the humidity inside the machine and inhibit mold.
- Use a dust cover → Put on the air conditioner when it is not in use for a long time.
- Keep the room clean and tidy → reduce dust sources.
- Use with windows closed → Reduce the amount of outside dust that enters the air conditioner.
📌 Editor's Summary
To keep your air conditioner running efficiently and healthily in Hong Kong:
- Clean the filter every 2-4 weeks
- Have it professionally cleaned every 6-12 months
- Increase cleaning frequency in wet weather
💬 I've personally tested it and found that by following this frequency, the air conditioning wind speed will remain stable, the electricity bill won't suddenly spike, and there won't be any musty smell. You'll get cool and clean air the moment you turn it on❄️.
