FreshDuct
FreshDuct Explains
Split system care
The short answer
A split system should be serviced every twelve months for high-use units or homes with pets, asthma or allergies, and every eighteen months to two years for a lightly used spare-room unit. Musty smells come from mould and bacteria on the indoor coil, dripping is usually a blocked drain line, and ice on the coil means restricted airflow or low refrigerant.
7 days a week. No call-out fee, and you pay after the job.
Key points
- Musty or dirty-socks smells come from bacteria and fungi on the indoor coil.
- Dripping is usually a blocked drain line; dirty filters or coil can also cause icing.
- Ice on the coil: switch off, clean the filters, and let it thaw completely.
- Clean the mesh filters every 2-4 weeks in heavy use with lukewarm water, then air dry.
- A proper service cleans the indoor coil, filters, drain pan and line, and tests heating and cooling.
Chapters
- Why your split system smells
- Why your split system is leaking water
- Why your split system is freezing up
- How to clean your split system filters
- How often to service a split system
- What a split system service includes
Questions this video answers
Why does my split system smell musty?
Moisture condenses on the indoor coil, and when the unit stops, mould and bacteria can grow. The fix is a professional coil and drain pan clean. A lingering burning-plastic smell means switch it off until inspected.
Why is my split system leaking water?
Usually the drain line is blocked and water overflows the tray. Dirty filters or a dirty coil can also cause icing that melts. Clean the filters; if it keeps leaking, a technician clears the drain and cleans the coil.
Why is my split system freezing up?
The coil is getting too cold from restricted airflow or low refrigerant. Switch it off, clean the filters and let the ice thaw. If it freezes again, have the coil, fan and refrigerant checked.
How do I clean split system filters?
Turn the system off, lift the front panel and slide out the mesh filters. Vacuum off loose dust, rinse in lukewarm water, and let them dry completely before refitting. Do it every two to four weeks in heavy use.
How often should a split system be serviced?
Every twelve months for high-use units, homes with pets or anyone with asthma or allergies; every eighteen months to two years for a lightly used spare-room unit.
What does a split system service include?
A performance check, a foaming clean and rinse of the indoor coil, cleaned filters, a checked and flushed drain pan and line, an outdoor unit check, and a test in cooling and heating.
Transcript
Why your split system smells
Split system smells musty at start-up? FreshDuct explains the cause. Moisture condenses on the indoor coil, and when the unit stops, mould and bacteria can grow. A dirty socks smell, often strongest in heating mode, comes from bacteria and fungi on the coil. The fix is a professional coil and drain pan clean, which is not a DIY job. Burning plastic smell that lingers or returns? Switch it off, and don't use it until inspected.
Why your split system is leaking water
Water dripping from your split system indoor unit? FreshDuct explains why it happens. Usually it is a drainage problem. The drain line blocks, so water overflows the tray. Dirty filters or a dirty coil can also cause icing that melts and overflows. Turn the unit off, then clean the filters, which is a quick DIY step. If it keeps leaking, a technician clears the drain and cleans the coil.
Why your split system is freezing up
Ice forming on your split system? FreshDuct explains why the coil freezes. Ice means the coil is getting too cold, from restricted airflow or low refrigerant. Switch it off, then clean the filters. They are the most common culprit. Leave it off and let the ice thaw completely before running it again. If it freezes again after a filter clean, a technician should check the coil, fan and refrigerant.
How to clean your split system filters
Can you clean split system filters yourself? FreshDuct explains how, step by step. Turn the system off, lift the front panel, and slide the mesh filters out. Vacuum off loose dust, then rinse under lukewarm water. Skip hot water and harsh chemicals. Let them air dry completely before refitting, because a wet filter can encourage mould. Do it every two to four weeks in heavy use. The coil still needs a professional service.
How often to service a split system
How often does a split system really need a service? FreshDuct breaks it down. Every twelve months suits high-use units, like overnight bedroom units or main living area systems. Annual service also suits homes with pets, or anyone with asthma or allergies. For a lightly used spare room unit, every eighteen months to two years is reasonable. Musty smells, weaker cooling, dripping water or error codes? Book a service without waiting.
What a split system service includes
What does a proper split system service include? FreshDuct explains what to look for. It starts with a performance check, so the technician can spot faults before cleaning. The key step is cleaning the indoor coil with a foaming cleaner, then rinsing it. The filters are cleaned, and the drain pan and line are checked and flushed. The outdoor unit is checked too, then the system is tested in cooling and heating. No call-out fee, and you pay after the job.
Call FreshDuct on 04 3191 8137.
