AC Service and Cleaning Guide
A clean AC cools faster and uses fewer units. Wash the filters yourself every two weeks in summer, and get a full service once a year before the heat starts.
Updated 11 November 2026
How to clean AC filters at home
- Switch the AC off at the breaker.
- Lift the front panel of the indoor unit.
- Slide out the mesh filters.
- Wash with plain water from the back side; use mild soap if greasy.
- Dry in shade, never in direct sun.
- Refit and close the panel.
What a full AC service includes
- Indoor coil and blower wash (often with a service bag)
- Outdoor coil wash with water pressure
- Drain pipe flush
- Checking the fan, capacitor and electrical connections
- Reading running current and gas pressure
A good technician does not add gas unless the gauges show it is low. See AC gas refill guide.
How often to service
- Filters: every 2 weeks in summer, monthly in spring and autumn.
- Full service: once a year, in March or April before the rush.
- Dusty cities (Multan, Bahawalpur, Quetta) and homes near main roads: twice a year.
Many new models have self-clean; it helps but does not replace a yearly wash.
How to clean the AC outdoor unit
- Switch off the breaker.
- Remove leaves, plastic bags and dust from around the unit.
- Spray water gently from the inside out if you can reach, or from the front, along the fins, not across them.
- Do not use a high-pressure jet close up; it bends the thin fins.
- Let it dry before switching on.
Do this before May and again in mid-summer in dusty cities. A clean outdoor coil lowers the bill and helps on very hot days.
Self clean and auto clean: how they work
Self-clean is listed on many models, such as Haier HSU-13HFCA 1 Ton Inverter AC, Dawlance Elegance Pro 15 1 Ton Inverter AC, Gree GS-18AITH23 1.5 Ton Inverter AC and TCL TAC-18T3S2 1.5 Ton Inverter AC. When you switch it on, usually with a button on the remote, the AC freezes the indoor coil for a few minutes and then melts and dries it. The water carries dust down the drain, and drying stops mould and smell.
It helps, but it does not clean the filters or the outdoor unit. Keep washing the filters and book a yearly service.
Filters, coil cleaner spray and wash bags
- Filters: wash the mesh filters every 2 weeks in summer. Replace them only if they are torn or warped.
- Coil cleaner spray: a foaming spray can loosen dirt on the indoor coil. Use one made for AC coils and let it drip into the drain.
- Service or wash bag: a plastic bag that hangs under the indoor unit to catch water during a coil wash, so the wall and floor stay dry.
For a full wash with pressure, call a technician.
