Air con before summer: 6 checks so you're not left sweltering in July
In the peak of the heat, air con engineers on the Costa del Sol are booked up weeks ahead. Here's what to check in May so your air con keeps running smoothly all summer – whether you're in Málaga, Marbella, Estepona, Benahavís, Mijas, Fuengirola or Benalmádena.
In July and August, air con engineers on the coast are booked up 2–3 weeks ahead. It's much easier to check everything in May.
1. Filters
Take off the front panel and look at the mesh filters. If they're grey, rinse them in warm water and let them dry. It takes 10 minutes and noticeably reduces the strain on the compressor.
2. Smell
A musty smell when you switch it on is a sign of mould on the heat exchanger and in the drain. This needs a professional clean with disinfection.
3. Water dripping indoors
If the indoor unit is dripping, the condensate pipe is most likely blocked. The problem will only get worse in summer.
4. Outdoor unit
Check that it isn't buried in leaves or boxed in by a grille or plant pots. The unit needs airflow, otherwise it overheats and cuts out just when it's hottest.
5. Noise and vibration
New knocking or humming is a good reason to check the mountings and the fan before a small fault turns into a serious one.
6. Is it actually cooling?
Set it to cool at 18 °C for 15 minutes. The air coming out of the unit should feel noticeably cold. If it doesn't, it may be low on refrigerant or there may be a problem with the compressor.
A full service, done for you
A professional clean of one unit takes about 40 minutes and costs €50–€90. Send me a WhatsApp message saying how many units you have and I'll give you a price and a date.
