When Your AC Needs Cleaning: 5 Signs
Why an air conditioner gets dirty
An air conditioner is a filter. It pushes all the room's air through itself, trapping dust, hair, pollen and fine particles. Over a season a layer of grime builds up on the filters, the evaporator and the fan barrel.
The warm, damp interior of the indoor unit is a perfect incubator for bacteria and mould. Without cleaning, the AC turns from a helper into a source of health problems.
Sign 1. A bad smell on start-up
A musty or sour smell is the most obvious signal. The cause is colonies of bacteria and fungus on the evaporator.
- A smell only on the first start after a pause — an early-stage problem. A wash will fix it
- A constant smell — it needs a full strip-down and antibacterial treatment
Sign 2. Weak airflow
Blowing noticeably weaker on the highest setting than it used to? The filters are clogged.
Dirty filters cut output by 20–30 % and add load to the compressor. The compressor runs longer and hotter — its life shortens.
Rinsing the mesh filters takes 10 minutes. Do it every 2–3 weeks during the season — yourself.
Sign 3. Won't cool to the set temperature
You set 22 °C and the room stays at a steady 26 °C. Two possible causes:
- A dirty evaporator — heat exchange is impaired. Fix: a professional clean
- A refrigerant leak — there's less of it. Fix: diagnostics, leak detection, a top-up
Both need a technician with a manifold gauge set.
Spotted one of these signs?
A technician arrives with a manifold gauge set: diagnostics, cleaning and a top-up if needed.
Book a cleanSign 4. Higher electricity bills
A dirty AC uses 15–25 % more energy to reach the same temperature. If your bill has gone up without a change in habits — check the air conditioner.
The maths: an AC uses ~150 GEL/season. +20 % of grime = +30 GEL. A professional service costs 80–120 GEL — it pays for itself in one season.
Sign 5. Water leaking from the indoor unit
Drips on the wall or a puddle under the unit mean a blocked drain. The condensate can't run down the line and overflows.
A common cause: algae or a dust plug in the drain line. Clearing the drain is a mandatory part of a professional service.
Don't ignore a leak. Water on the wall means mould, damaged finishes and a risk of an electrical short.
How often a professional clean is needed
- Minimum: once a year before the season (April–May in Tbilisi)
- Heavy use or pets: twice a year
- Allergy sufferers in the family: twice a year plus antibacterial treatment
Rinse the mesh filters yourself every 2–3 weeks. Leave the deep strip-down clean to certified technicians. Details and prices are on our AC cleaning page.