Why neglected maintenance leads to high costs for residential heat pump and HVAC system owners in Greater Montreal
The maintenance of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is often pushed aside by residential homeowners. Yet, throughout our service calls across Greater Montreal, whether in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore or South Shore, we consistently witness how the consequences of poor or absent cleaning can be extremely costly—financially, energy-wise, and even health-wise.
At AirGreen, we’ve developed a specialized expertise in the deep cleaning of residential HVAC systems, and our hands-on field experience allows us today to outline the most frequent mistakes, share eye-opening statistics, and offer concrete solutions to help avoid these expensive pitfalls.
The direct link between dirt and inefficiency: what the data shows
A dirty unit can consume up to 30% more energy
According to data from Hydro-Québec, confirmed by our own diagnostic findings across Montreal, a poorly maintained HVAC system can increase energy consumption by 20% to 30%. The main culprit? The buildup of dust, mold, and grease on evaporators, coils, and filters, which blocks optimal operation.
Take, for example, a 12,000 BTU wall-mounted air conditioner installed in Laval: a customer contacted us after receiving an unusually high electricity bill. Our team quickly identified severe buildup inside the indoor unit. After a complete professional cleaning — including disassembly, antibacterial treatment, and high-pressure rinsing — the client’s energy usage dropped by 26%.
The 5 most costly mistakes we regularly encounter
1. Believing that a quick external dusting is enough
Many homeowners wipe the outside casing of their wall-mounted heat pump and believe that’s sufficient. But the core of the system lies inside, where dirt accumulates on the heat exchanger fins. Skipping internal cleaning can cause overheating, reduced heating/cooling capacity, and premature component wear.
2. Neglecting to maintain the outdoor unit
The outdoor unit is often forgotten, especially in winter. However, fallen leaves, pollen, and urban debris can clog the grills, restrict airflow, and compromise heat dissipation. In one South Shore installation, we found an outdoor coil completely blocked, which led to a compressor failure during a summer heat wave.
3. Assuming new systems don’t need maintenance
Many homeowners think that a new HVAC system doesn’t require servicing. That’s a costly mistake. Even in the first year, micro-particle buildup can cause imbalances. At a client’s home in Longueuil, a FUJITSU KZAH R-32 mini split began producing foul odors after just 9 months due to a bacterial biofilm forming on the evaporator. A targeted antibacterial cleaning resolved the issue.
4. Using inappropriate household products
Some homeowners attempt to clean their units with harsh or corrosive cleaning agents. This can damage the aluminum fins, create short circuits, or strip protective coatings. Our technicians use approved, non-corrosive products specifically adapted to each brand (Fujitsu, Gree, Sharp, Bosch, Goodman, etc.).
5. Hiring non-specialized technicians
Lastly, one of the costliest mistakes is entrusting your unit to unqualified service providers. Poorly performed cleaning can move dirt around instead of removing it, damage sensitive components, or skip critical steps (like drain pan cleaning or coil disinfection).
Hard numbers from our fieldwork
Out of over 1,200 professional cleanings completed between January 2023 and March 2025 in Greater Montreal, here’s what we observed:
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72% of units had never received a deep cleaning since installation.
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41% of clients reported decreased performance, which they mistakenly believed was due to a defect.
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After cleaning, 93% of clients noticed an immediate improvement in airflow and thermal comfort.
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22% of inspected units showed hidden mold, especially in poorly ventilated homes in Laval and Montréal-Nord.
Why choose AirGreen for your HVAC maintenance?
At AirGreen, we don’t do surface-level cleaning. Our method involves a partial disassembly of wall units, followed by controlled pressure washing, fungicidal and antibacterial treatment, and a full system inspection.
Our approach: precision, professionalism, and transparency
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Visual and thermal inspection before and after the cleaning.
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Photos and videos provided to the client for full transparency.
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Average response time: 48 to 72 hours.
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TEQ-certified technicians specialized in residential and multi-unit HVAC servicing.
Practical tips to avoid hidden costs
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Schedule a professional cleaning at least once a year, ideally in spring, before summer.
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Clean your filters monthly, but leave the evaporator coil cleaning to the professionals.
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Regularly check that your outdoor unit is clear of any obstructions.
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Consider an annual maintenance plan with visual inspection — a modest investment that prevents expensive repairs.
Client Testimonial – Brossard, March 2025
“Our Gree heat pump wasn’t heating well anymore and was making noise. We thought we’d have to replace it. But after an inspection and complete cleaning by AirGreen, it’s running like new again. We saved over $3,000.”
— Mrs. Côté, Brossard, South Shore
Neglected maintenance = a hefty bill
In Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore or South Shore, neglecting HVAC maintenance means risking:
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Costly breakdowns, often avoidable.
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A spike in your energy bill, sometimes by several hundred dollars a year.
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Indoor air quality issues that could affect your family’s health.
At AirGreen, we believe that well-executed preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure system performance, longevity, and peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule your professional cleaning and benefit from our trusted expertise across Greater Montreal.