How to Maintain Your Louisville Ductless Mini-Split

A ductless AC or mini-split heat pump is a wise choice when you add on to your Louisville home or have an older home without any or enough air ducts. Once an energy-efficient mini-split system is installed, it’s important to properly maintain it. Here are three tips for maintaining your ductless mini-split air conditioner or heat pump.

Keep the Unit’s Housing Clean

Both the indoor condenser and outdoor compressor housings need to be kept clean. Turn the unit’s power off. For the indoor unit, wipe the housing with a clean, damp cloth. For the outdoor unit, use a garden hose and fin brush to wash away dirt and debris and scrub off sticky buildup from the fins and coils. This will also be done during a professional preventive maintenance visit.

Provide Enough Clearance

The indoor and outdoor units both need at least three feet of clearance in all directions. Keep any curtains, art, furniture or other items away from the unit. Keep tree branches, shrubs and grass trimmed away from the unit. Rake leaves and other debris away at least once per week. Avoid planting any flowers or vegetation that makes vines, which could clog the unit.

Clean or Replace the Air Filter

According to the Department of Energy, an advantage of these ductless systems is that there are no vents or ducts to get dusty. Once every six weeks, check the unit’s air filter for dirt, dust, and debris. Some of the ductless AC units have a reusable filter. The owner’s manual should list acceptable cleaning agents. Some of the units use disposable filters. Replacing the unit’s air filter could boost the unit’s energy efficiency by up to 20 percent.

For more information about how to maintain a ductless mini-split and how professional ductless AC maintenance can benefit your home, visit Birkhead Co.’s ductless mini-split services page or call today.