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- A bad smell when the<\/b> appliance is turned on<\/b> is often the first sign that it is clogged with dirt.<\/li>\n
- A dirty appliance<\/b> has to work harder, which increases energy consumption<\/b>.<\/li>\n
- Dust visible on the grilles or fins<\/b> is a clear sign that cleaning is needed.<\/li>\n
- Canadians spend about 90% of their time indoors,<\/b> which means that the cleanliness of air conditioning units is directly linked to the quality of the air they breathe.<\/li>\n
- Regular cleaning extends the life of the appliance and <\/b>maintains its performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
An unpleasant odor when turning it on<\/b><\/h2>\n
This is often the first sign of a problem<\/b>. When you turn on your wall-mounted air conditioner or heat pump after a few weeks of inactivity, you may <\/b>notice a musty or stale odor <\/b>. This isn’t normal, and it’s not something to ignore.<\/p>\n
This odor is caused by a buildup of dust, mold, or bacteria<\/a> inside the unit, especially on the coil and fins. According to the Institut national de sant\u00e9 publique du Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>, regular maintenance of units and their ducts is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality.<\/p>\n
Even if the odor disappears after a few minutes, don’t be fooled: it will return every time you turn the appliance on until it has been thoroughly cleaned.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nThe device is less effective than it used to be<\/b><\/h2>\n
The unit is running, but the room isn’t cooling as well as it did in previous summers. You have to set the thermostat higher than before to achieve the same level of comfort<\/b>. This is a sign that the internal components are clogged<\/a>.<\/p>\n
When the filter, coil, or fins become dirty, the unit has to work harder to produce the same results.<\/b> Natural Resources Canada<\/a> points out that a well-maintained filter is one of the simplest ways to keep the indoor coil clean and ensure good indoor air quality.<\/p>\n
Visible dust on the grilles or fins<\/b><\/h2>\n
Take thirty seconds to look at your wall-mounted unit. A layer of gray dust on the air outlet grilles or fins<\/b> is a clear sign that it needs to be cleaned.<\/p>\n
This dust doesn’t stay put: every time you use the appliance, it is released back into the air in your home.<\/b> Health Canada<\/a> points out that Canadians spend about 90% of their time indoors and that effective filtration directly helps protect the health of occupants. But for the units to fulfill this role, they must be clean themselves<\/a>.<\/p>\n
An Unexplained Increase in the Electricity Bill<\/b><\/h2>\n
A dirty appliance uses more energy than a <\/b>clean unit<\/b><\/a>. If your bills have gone up from one season to the next for no obvious reason, the condition of your air conditioner or heat pump may be the cause.<\/p>\n
Natural Resources Canada<\/a> points out that heat pumps are designed to transfer heat rather than generate it, which makes them naturally energy-efficient. However <\/b>, this efficiency depends on optimal operating conditions. A unit that becomes clogged with dirt gradually loses its efficiency, though it never stops working completely.<\/p>\n
What to Look For and What to Do<\/b><\/h2>\n
- A dirty appliance<\/b> has to work harder, which increases energy consumption<\/b>.<\/li>\n
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