AC Cleaning: Should you get your AC service jet or regular? Find out which cleaning method is best and most cost-effective for your AC..

Summer is approaching, and it's essential to prepare your AC. But the question is: should you get a high-pressure wash with a jet pump, a regular service, or a dry service? If the AC has been out of service for several months or runs for 12–18 hours a day, a jet service is preferable because it deeply cleans the coils. However, if the jet service was performed at the end of the previous season and daily usage is 5–7 hours, a dry service may be sufficient. The right choice depends on your usage patterns and previous service.

As February ends, temperatures are rising, making it time to dust off your air conditioner (AC). Often, when we call a mechanic, he offers two options: a jet pump service or a regular service. There's a significant difference between these two, not just in price, but also in technology and requirements. For example:

1. Jet service
This uses a powerful water pump and a pressure gun. A strong stream of water travels directly across the cooling coils, fins, and blower. So the question is, when should you choose it? If you're getting your AC serviced for the first time this season, or if your AC is installed in a dusty area, this may be a better option. Its benefits include removing years of accumulated dirt and grime. This reduces the load on the compressor and saves electricity. Keep in mind that if the technician is new, he or she may bend the delicate coil fins with high pressure. There's also the risk of dirt getting onto the walls. Therefore, choosing an experienced one may be wise.

2. Normal or Dry Service

In this, the technician removes the air filter, washes it, and cleans the internal components with a brush or spray bottle. Choose this if you had a jet service done at the end of the previous season or if you only use the AC for 5-7 hours a day. Normal service is sufficient. Its advantages include being inexpensive and reducing the risk of water getting into the AC's sensors or PCB. Experts say its disadvantage is that it only provides superficial cleaning; sometimes, it cannot remove dust accumulated in the deepest corners of the coils.

Why is deep cleaning necessary?

The cooling efficiency of an air conditioner depends directly on heat exchange. When the coils become clogged with dust, heat transfer decreases, the compressor works harder, and power consumption can increase by 10–25%. Furthermore, bacteria and fungi can grow in a dirty AC, which can aggravate respiratory problems.

You'll also save on your electricity bill.

According to experts, a clean AC consumes 15 to 20 percent less electricity than a dirty one. If your coils are covered in dust, the compressor has to work twice as hard to cool the room. Therefore, if your AC isn't cooling as well as it used to, get it cleaned.

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