Why servicing matters more in Port Macquarie
Summer dew points
Mean dew points at Port Macquarie Airport are 18.7 degrees in January and 18.9 in February, with afternoon humidity of 65% and 66%. The former Hill Street station averaged 75%. That moisture condenses inside the indoor unit every time it cools.
Mould follows dirty filters
Mitsubishi Electric says dirty filters cause condensation in the air conditioner, which contributes to fungi such as mould. Its instructions also say owners should never try to wash the inside of the indoor unit.
Salt near the coast
Toshiba's warranty certificate makes the purchaser responsible for extra corrosion protection close to the sea, and excludes salt damage. Other brands word it differently, so read your own card.
A second season
July nights average 6.3 degrees at the airport, so a reverse cycle unit may also be your winter heater. If so, it should be tested in heating mode at the service too.
Filters in a humid summer
Daikin's general rule is to clean the filters every two weeks, and it recommends at least once a month through summer. Mitsubishi Electric and Samsung also say every two weeks. Solar Victoria's 2021 guide suggests about twice a year, which is a long gap in Port Macquarie's humidity, so we'd go with the manufacturer and check your own manual.
Turn the unit off at the power before you take the filters out, use water no hotter than 50 degrees, and dry them in the shade, as Mitsubishi Electric advises. Our filter guide walks through it.
Signs it's overdue
- A musty or damp smell when it starts up.
- Dark specks on the vanes where the air comes out.
- Water dripping from the indoor unit.
- A whistle from the fan, which Samsung says can be caused by dust.
- Weaker airflow even with clean filters.
What a Port Macquarie service should include
- The coil, fan and drain tray cleaned inside the indoor unit.
- The drain flushed so condensation runs away outside.
- The outdoor unit cleared and checked for corrosion on its casing and fixings.
- The refrigerant charge checked by an RAC01 licence holder.
- A test run in cooling and in heating.
What you can do, and what you can't
You can
- Clean the filters with the power off.
- Run fan mode after cooling to dry the inside of the unit, as Mitsubishi Electric recommends.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of plants and stored gear.
Leave to a licensed installer
- Washing or treating the inside of the indoor unit.
- Anything involving refrigerant.
- Electrical checks and repairs.
What we'd do
What we'd do in Port Macquarie
We'd clean the filters every couple of weeks through summer and book a yearly service in spring that opens up the indoor unit, not just a filter wipe. If the house is close to the water, we'd ask for the outdoor unit to be checked for corrosion at the same visit. A technician who services units in this humidity every week will spot early mould before you smell it.
