Wondering how often to clean your wall-mounted air conditioner? After 10 years servicing thousands of units in the Greater Montreal area, Mohamed and Omar of Ventilation Vortex Air have a clear answer.
The frequency depends on your situation, but one thing's for sure: waiting until your unit smells bad or your Hydro bill skyrockets is too late.
Here's exactly when to schedule maintenance on your wall-mounted air conditioner to save money and breathe healthier air.
Why regular maintenance of your wall unit is essential
Montreal's unique climate
Montréal, c’est particulier niveau climat. Nos étés peuvent être vraiment humides – parfois 85% d’humidité pendant des semaines. Cette humidité combinée à la chaleur crée un environnement parfait pour les moisissures dans votre climatiseur.
In winter, your unit remains closed for 6-7 months. Dust accumulates, residual humidity stagnates, and bacteria multiply.
Impact on health and comfort
Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to allergens coming out of a poorly maintained unit.
We've seen families in Ahuntsic whose children had recurrent respiratory problems in summer. After cleaning their air conditioner, the symptoms disappeared within a few days.
Invisible mold in your unit can trigger asthma, allergies and respiratory irritation without you understanding where it's coming from.
What is the ideal cleaning frequency in Montréal?
For a residential house or condo
At least once a year - Ideally in May, before the heat.
Ideally every 6-8 months if you use your air conditioner intensively, or if anyone in the family suffers from allergies.
The average Plateau family that uses its unit 3-4 months a summer can get away with an annual cleaning.
For rental buildings and managed condos
At least every 6 months. Building managers in Laval and Longueuil who work with us usually schedule a spring cleaning and a fall cleaning.
This avoids tenant complaints and ensures that all units operate efficiently.
For retail and offices
Every 3-6 months depending on the intensity of use and the number of people in the space.
A small office in Brossard with 5-6 employees may be satisfied with 2 cleanings a year. A business with a lot of comers and goers will need maintenance every 3 months.
After certain specific situations
After renovation - Construction dust gets in everywhere, even in closed units.
After a move - New owners never know when maintenance was last carried out.
If the unit has not been used for several months - Even when closed, a unit accumulates dust and moisture.
Signs that it's time to clean your wall unit
Unpleasant odors on start-up
A musty smell when you start your air conditioner is a sign #1 that mold is growing inside.
This smell usually comes from the evaporator or condensation tray, which have not been cleaned.
Low or inefficient air flow
Is your unit blowing less hard than before? Clogged filters force the fan to work harder to push the air through.
If you have to lower the temperature more than before to maintain the same level of comfort, your unit is losing efficiency.
Visible black spots (mold) around the unit
Black spots on or around your unit indicate heavy contamination inside.
Rising Hydro-Québec bills
A dirty unit can consume 20-25% more electricity. On a summer bill of 150$, that's 30-40$ more per month.
What happens if you neglect cleaning?
Aggravated health problems (allergies, asthma)
Accumulating mold and bacteria aggravate asthma and allergies. Children playing near the unit breathe this contaminated air directly.
Premature device wear → costly replacement
A well-maintained air conditioner lasts 12-15 years. Without maintenance, units break down after 6-8 years.
Replacing a wall unit costs 3000-5000.Comparec\caaˋ150-200. Compare that to 150-200 .Comparec\caaˋ150-200 per year for maintenance.
Increased energy consumption
Our customers see their electricity bills drop by 15-20% after our cleaning. A dirty unit can consume up to 40% more energy.
The benefits of professional maintenance with Vortex Air
Free inspection and personalized advice
Mohamed or Omar assesses the condition of your unit free of charge and advises you on the frequency of maintenance according to your specific situation.
Deep cleaning with INVC/NADCA-certified tools
Our 5 certified technicians completely dismantle your unit. Filters, evaporator, fans - everything is cleaned with professional products and equipment.
Energy savings and lower bills
After our service, your unit is running at full capacity. Our customers save an average of 30-50$ per month on their summer electricity bill.
Extended life of your wall unit
Regular preventive maintenance can extend the life of your air conditioner by 3-4 years. Our customers who schedule an annual cleaning keep their unit running much longer.
Our wall unit cleaning methodology
Free assessment of your device's condition
We inspect your unit to identify any problems and determine the level of contamination.
Complete cleaning and disinfection
Complete disassembly, cleaning of every component, and antimicrobial treatment to eliminate mold and bacteria.
Performance testing and final verification
We test your unit before you leave to make sure it's in perfect working order.
Customized recommendations for future frequency
Depending on the condition of your unit and your usage, we'll advise you on the ideal maintenance frequency for your situation.
Why choose Ventilation Vortex Air for your Montreal maintenance needs?
Our commitments
Fast 24/7 service - We can even work on weekends, depending on your availability.
Certified bilingual technicians - Our team speaks French and English, and knows the particularities of Montreal housing.
Mohamed and Omar in the field - Owners are personally involved in major interventions.
Areas served
Greater Montreal: Ahuntsic, Villeray, Plateau, NDG, Outremont, Côte-des-Neiges.
South Shore: Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert, Greenfield Park.
North Shore: Laval, Terrebonne, Saint-Jérôme, Rosemère.
More than 500 satisfied customers rely on us for regular maintenance.
FAQ - Wall unit cleaning in Montreal
How long does a complete cleaning take? Between 1h30 and 2h30 depending on the state of contamination. We never rush the work.
What is the average cost in Montreal? Between 150$ and 250$ depending on complexity. Inspection and quotation free of charge.
What's the difference between in-house and professional maintenance? You can clean the visible filters, but we have the equipment to dismantle and clean the evaporator, fans and all internal parts.
Do I have to change the filters every time I clean? Not necessarily. If your filters are in good condition, we clean them thoroughly. We advise you when to replace them.
Plan your cleaning today and breathe easier
Don't let mold and bacteria build up in your wall unit. The longer you wait, the worse the problem gets.
Request a free inspection today - Call Mohamed and Omar on 514-214-7492 to assess your unit's condition.
Book online at vortexair.ca - Fast service throughout Greater Montreal.
Download our free guide Click on "Ideal maintenance frequency for wall units" to plan your cleaning according to your situation.
Join our 500+ customers who breathe easier thanks to regular maintenance. Your health and your wallet will thank you.
