Keeping Cool Without Draining Australia’s Water Supply
If you’ve been in Australia longer than a week, you’ll know we’re no strangers to dry spells. Whether you’re out west in Dubbo, down by the beaches in Adelaide, or in a Brisbane suburb that hasn’t seen rain in months, water restrictions are just part of the deal.
We all try to do the right thing — quick showers, only running the dishwasher when it’s full, watering the garden before the sun’s up. But there’s one sneaky water guzzler that hardly anyone thinks about: cleaning the air conditioner.
Don’t get me wrong, a good clean is a must. It keeps your air con running like a champ, stops it chewing through power, and keeps the air you breathe fresh. But traditional cleaning methods? They can chew through more water than a family uses in a day.
The good news? You can still get your system spotless without soaking it like it’s a car wash. With the right gear and a few clever tricks, you’ll save hundreds of litres — and the planet will thank you for it.
Here’s what we’ll go through:
- Why water-smart AC cleaning matters in Aussie homes.
- How to get the job done without wasting a drop.
- Aussie tips that actually work in our climate.
- Products that make it all easy.
- When it’s worth upgrading your system.
- A quick yarn from a Brisbane bloke who halved his water use.
- Why Water-Saving AC Cleaning Matters in Australia
When summer hits and the mercury climbs, there’s no way you’re turning off the air con. But here’s the catch — after months of pulling in dust, pollen, and all sorts of airborne gunk, your system’s going to need a decent scrub.
The old-school way? Hose it down until the water runs clear. The problem is, some cleans can use 200–400 litres of water. Yep, you read that right.
1. We Live in a Thirsty Country
From Mildura to Toowoomba, Aussie towns know the pain of water restrictions. In some spots, you’re only allowed to hose outside for a few hours a week — and that’s if you’re lucky.
2. Every Litre Counts
Even in the big cities where the dams are looking healthy, every bit of water saved now means fewer restrictions later. It’s a “future you” kind of decision.
3. It’s Not Just About Water
Water-smart cleaning often means energy-smart cleaning too. Less muck in your system = less work for your AC = lower power bills. Easy win.
How Water-Saving AC Cleaning Works
You might be wondering, “If I’m not blasting the thing for 20 minutes, will it actually come up clean?” Short answer: absolutely — if you’re smart about it.
Here’s the basic game plan:
Step 1: Dry Prep
Before touching the hose, brush or vacuum the filters and coils. You’d be amazed how much fluff, pet hair, and dust comes off without a single drop of water.
Step 2: Use the Right Cleaner
A good biodegradable coil cleaner does the heavy lifting for you. Spray it on, let it work, and in many cases, you’ll only need a quick rinse (or none at all).
Check out our Cleaning & Preventative Maintenance Collection for options that are both tough on dirt and gentle on water.
Step 3: Go Low-Flow
If you do need to rinse, skip the garden hose on full blast. A low-flow spray head or pump sprayer uses a fraction of the water and gives you better control.
Step 4: Catch and Reuse
Using a cleaning bag (like the ones in our Air Conditioner Cleaning Kits) lets you collect the rinse water. If you’ve used a pet-safe cleaner, you can pour it on the garden.
Step 5: Let It Breathe
Run the unit on fan mode for half an hour after cleaning. It’ll dry everything out, stop mould setting in, and you won’t use a drop of extra water.
Aussie Tips for Saving Water While Cleaning Your AC
1. Pick Your Moment
In Perth’s summer heat, cleaning your AC at midday means half the water will evaporate before it even does its job. Early morning or late arvo is the sweet spot.
2. Top to Bottom
Clean from the top of the unit down so gravity does some of the rinsing work for you.
3. Kit Up
Grab a proper AC cleaning kit with a drainage bag. It’ll save water, keep the mess contained, and make the job heaps easier.
4. Don’t Go Overboard
If the filters only have a light layer of dust, a dry brush or vacuum will do for now. Save the wet clean for when it’s really needed.
5. Reuse When You Can
With a biodegradable cleaner, your rinse water can double as garden water. Just avoid pouring it on edible plants.
Best Products to Try
If you’re serious about saving water, you’ll want the right tools:
- Biodegradable Coil Cleaners — from our Cleaning & Preventative Maintenance Collection. Less rinse, more clean.
- Complete Cleaning Kits — our Air Conditioner Cleaning Kits come with reusable drainage bags and low-flow tools.
- Microfibre Brushes — for dusting before rinsing.
- Low-Flow Spray Nozzles — for targeted cleaning without the waste.
Maintenance Must-Knows
- Monthly Filter Checks in summer — more if you’ve got pets or live in a dusty spot.
- Twice-a-Year Deep Clean — before summer and before winter.
- Spot Clean when you notice dust or odours — don’t wait for the next big clean.
- Fan Mode After Cooling — dries things out and reduces future cleaning needs.
When to Upgrade
If you’re cleaning your system more often than you’re cleaning your car, it might be time for a new unit. Look for ones with:
- Anti-bacterial filters
- Self-cleaning functions
- Coil coatings that repel dust
Some states even offer rebates for energy-efficient models — worth a quick Google.
Client Story: Mark from Brisbane
Mark’s a good bloke, but until last summer, he was using over 300 litres every time he cleaned his ducted AC. When Brisbane’s water restrictions kicked in, he knew he had to change.
He grabbed a low-flow spray nozzle, switched to a biodegradable cleaner, and used a reusable drainage bag. Now? He’s down to 120 litres per clean — and reuses most of it in the garden.
“I still get a spotless clean, my power bill’s dropped, and I’m not breaking any water rules. Win-win,” he reckons.
FAQs
Q: How much water does a “normal” AC clean actually use?
A: More than you’d think. A big deep clean on an older split or ducted system can chew through 200–400 litres. That’s like filling up a small kiddie pool in your lounge room.
Q: Can I get the same result with water-saving methods?
A: Yep. With the right cleaner and tools, you’ll pull out just as much gunk without standing there hosing it for ages.
Q: Is it safe to chuck the rinse water on my garden?
A: If you’ve used a biodegradable, pet-safe cleaner, it’s fine for lawns and non-edible plants. I wouldn’t pour it over the veggie patch though.
Q: What’s the best way to clean coils without wasting water?
A: A biodegradable foam cleaner is your mate. Spray it on, let it do the heavy lifting, then give it a light rinse — or none at all if it’s not too bad.
Q: Do all states have rules about AC cleaning water use?
A: They sure do, but the rules vary. Sydney might be fine with it as long as you’re using water sensibly, while parts of regional SA or QLD can be much stricter. Always check your local council’s website.
Q: If I clean less often, does that save water?
A: Not really. If you leave it too long, the dirt builds up and you end up using more water to blast it clean. Light, regular cleans actually save more in the long run.
Q: Will water-saving cleaning help my power bill too?
A: Absolutely. A clean AC doesn’t have to work as hard, so it uses less energy — which means less dollars flying out of your bank account every quarter.