Air conditioning filters: a clean before winter in Marbella

Why now is the right moment

Many homes on the Costa del Sol use the same split unit to cool in summer and to heat in winter. After months of daily cooling, the filters are full of dust, pollen and the fine sand that calima leaves behind, and the unit is about to start working again in a different mode.

A clogged filter makes the unit work harder, dries the air less well and can send a stale smell into the room. Ten minutes of cleaning now is the easiest maintenance you can do.

Cleaning the filters step by step

Switch the unit off and, if you can, also at the plug or breaker. Lift the front panel, slide out the filters and tap off the loose dust, ideally outdoors or over a bin bag. A vacuum with a soft brush works well for the first pass.

Wash the filters in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, rinse them and let them dry completely in the shade. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic mesh, and never put a damp filter back. Refit them, close the panel and run the unit for a few minutes.

The casing and the outdoor unit

Wipe the front panel and the air outlet with a barely damp microfibre cloth. Do not spray cleaning products into the unit or onto the fins inside: liquid and electronics do not mix, and residue can end up in the air you breathe.

Look at the outdoor unit too. Near the sea, salt and dust build up on it, and leaves or a cover left on after summer can block the airflow. Clear what you can reach safely, and leave the inside of the unit to a technician.

Signs that you need a professional

A musty smell that comes back after the filters are clean, black spots around the outlet, water dripping from the unit or a drop in performance are all reasons to call a qualified air-conditioning technician. They can clean the coil and the drain, and check the gas and the electrics, which is not a job for household cleaning.

Regular filter cleaning is something you can do yourself. How often depends on use; a monthly look during heavy use is a sensible habit, and your unit's manual will give the manufacturer's advice.

Where Lavanda can help

During a regular clean, Lavanda can wipe down the unit's casing and wash the filters if you ask us to, and we will tell you if something looks like it needs a technician. Book online to see the starting price; we confirm the final price for your home before the clean.