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3 Things to Do Before Turning On AC This Summer: Uncleaned Units Are Dirtier Than Toilets

Summer, Health, Energy Saving, Cleaning, AC —

Last week I turned on my AC and got hit with a musty smell.

That’s when I realized: it’s time for the annual “AC deep clean” again.

First: You MUST clean the filter

You wouldn’t believe how much dust accumulates on an AC filter after a winter of non-use. I checked mine last year and almost gagged—it was dirtier than my window screens.

The key point: this isn’t just dust, it’s mold, mites, and bacteria. When the AC turns on, all of it blows into your lungs.

Cleaning is simple:

  1. Turn off power, open the front panel
  2. Remove the filter (usually just clips, pull it out)
  3. Rinse with water—dish soap works even better
  4. Dry and reinstall

The whole process takes under 10 minutes, but improves AC efficiency by 15%+—the electricity savings alone pay for the effort.

Second: Check the drain pipe

Many people overlook this.

AC cooling produces condensation that exits through the drain pipe. If blocked, water flows back into the indoor unit—minor cases cause dripping; major cases ruin your ceiling.

Last year we had an “AC leak incident”—a yellow spot on the living room ceiling. Cost 800 RMB to fix. Wish I’d checked earlier.

How to check: After running for 10 minutes, see if water flows from the outdoor drain pipe. If not, or if flow is weak, it needs cleaning.

Third: Test cooling performance

After years of use, AC cooling efficiency degrades. Not necessarily broken—might need refrigerant or the coils are dirty.

My test method:

  • Set remote to 26°C
  • After 30 minutes, measure air outlet temperature with a thermometer
  • Normal should be 10-15°C

If above 18°C, efficiency is down—may need refrigerant or deep cleaning.

One energy-saving tip

Finally, my tested power-saving method: use dehumidify mode.

When summer humidity is high, dehumidify mode feels cooler than cooling mode and uses less electricity. I set mine to 25°C dehumidify—cooler than 26°C cooling, but saves about 20% on electricity.

Have you cleaned your AC? What’s your summer electricity budget?

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