How much do I actually save after cleaning? I want numbers, not 'a lot'
This page explains a situation in an editorial format. It is not an open discussion board or a verified customer review. Contact us on WhatsApp about your own appliance.
I am an accountant and I do not buy 'you save a lot'. Flat in Aviației, 12,000 BTU Daikin, 3 years old, used about 6 hours a day June–August. See current rates on the Prices page.
What is really happening
The literature numbers: dirty versus clean filter, 5–15% of consumption (DOE); a fouled evaporator, 5–7% airflow lost and 1–10% extra fan power as it clogs; a dirty condenser, reduced capacity and efficiency, with percentages varying with the degree of fouling. On a 3-year-old unit with washed filters the total loss is probably 5–10%; on a 10-year-old never-cleaned unit, 15–25%. Where cleaning clearly 'makes money' is on large units running 10 hours a day (offices, restaurants) and on units neglected for years. In your case the main argument remains the air you breathe 6 hours a day and the fact that a clean unit reaches its design lifetime.
- Average electrical input, in kW.
- Operating time, in hours.
- Estimated energy, in kWh; actual use varies.
BTU describes thermal capacity, not electrical consumption directly.
- Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower an air conditioner's energy consumption by 5–15% (US DOE). [US Department of Energy – Energy Saver, 2024]
- A typical evaporator fouls enough to double its pressure drop in about 7.5 years, reducing airflow by 5–7% and raising fan power by 1–10%. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory / , 2002]
- Fouling of the outdoor condenser raises pressure drop and condensing pressure, reducing the split unit's capacity and efficiency. [Science and Technology for the Built Env, 2019]
- EPA: some research suggests cleaning system components (cooling coils, fans, heat exchangers) may improve efficiency, but little evidence that cleaning only the ducts does. [US EPA, 2024]
What we do on site
- We measure the grille temperature split before and after – the closest efficiency proxy we can show on the spot.
- Full protocol: sealed double cover, alkaline detergent, adjustable pressure wash of evaporator, roller, pan and hose; sanitising; filters; outdoor unit in place.
- We leave you the before/after photos; if you want, read the meter a week before and a week after at similar outdoor temperatures and do your own maths.
- See current rates on the Prices page.
What you can do yourself
- See current rates on the Prices page.
- Filters every two weeks – that is the best-ratio 'gain', free.
- Set 25–26 °C: every degree lower costs roughly 5–8% more consumption.
What NOT to do
- Do not believe ads with '−40% consumption after sanitising'.
- Do not buy cleaning as an energy investment on a small, lightly used unit – buy it as hygiene.
Prevention
12,000 BTU unit, 6 hours a day: annual clean for clean air and lifespan; energy is the bonus.
When to call us
0764 012 943, WhatsApp, Monday–Saturday 08:00–20:00; Aviației is close.
Related threads
My electricity bill rose 30% this summer – could it be the dirty unit?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: My electricity bill rose 30% this summer – could it be the dirty unit?
I have a brand-new A+++ inverter – does it still lose efficiency when dirty, or is it 'smart'?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: I have a brand-new A+++ inverter – does it still lose efficiency when dirty, or is it 'smart'?
The unit runs non-stop and never reaches 24 °C – it uses a fortune. Dirty or undersized?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: The unit runs non-stop and never reaches 24 °C – it uses a fortune. Dirty or undersized?
Dental clinic in Pipera – what does AC sanitising involve for a medical space?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: Dental clinic in Pipera – what does AC sanitising involve for a medical space?
Can the musty smell from my AC come from the upstairs neighbour?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: Can the musty smell from my AC come from the upstairs neighbour?
Read also
Sources (6)
- www.energy.gov/energysaver/maintaining-your-air-conditioner
- www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/805122
- www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23744731.2019.1605197
- www.researchgate.net/publication/233277421_Evaporator_Air-Side_Fouling_Effect_on_Performan
- www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231002006611
The information on this page is educational and based on cited sources; it does not replace medical advice. We do not do repairs, installation or refrigerant circuit work.