How do we actually maintain an LG AC, our filter light keeps coming on and there's an auto-clean button we don't understand?
Our LG AC keeps lighting up what I think is a filter symbol, and there's an 'auto clean' button on the remote that we've honestly never understood. Does the filter light mean the unit is dirty and unsafe, or is it just a timer? And does auto-clean actually clean the thing, meaning we can skip getting it serviced? Trying to work out what LG's own features do versus what still needs us or a technician to physically clean. It's dusty here so I assume cleaning matters.
2 answers
From maintaining a lot of these, LG's two features get misread all the time, so here's what they actually do. The filter light is a timed reminder, it comes on after a set number of running hours to tell you to check the filter, it is not a sensor that detects dirt, so you clean the filter and reset it and it starts counting again. The auto-clean function runs the fan after you switch off to dry the indoor coil, which reduces mildew and that damp smell, but it does not wash the filters and it does not clean the coils, it just keeps the inside drier. So in our dust you still rinse the mesh filters regularly yourself, and you still need the indoor coil, blower and outdoor unit properly cleaned every so often, which is the part that actually restores cooling and efficiency. If it's been a long time or the airflow is weak, book a proper AC cleaning in Dubai, that deep coil clean is what the buttons can't do. If your unit is also showing a code rather than just the filter light, that's a different issue, see the LG CH code thread.
This explains why ours still smelled even with auto-clean on, the coils just get dusty and that needs a real clean. We rinse the filters ourselves every couple of weeks in summer and get it properly serviced before the hot season. The auto-clean only keeps the smell down between cleans, it never replaced an actual service for us.
People also asked
- My AC trips the breaker only when the compressor starts — what's actually failing?5 answersAC Service
- My AC keeps switching on and off every few minutes — what causes short-cycling and does it matter?4 answersAC Service
- Are smart thermostats worth it in Dubai — and do they even work with district cooling?3 answersAC Service
- My AC drain smells and gurgles (not just dripping) — what's wrong with the condensate side?3 answersAC Service
- One room is always hotter than the rest on our ducted AC — can the airflow be balanced?3 answersAC Service
More in AC Service
- Nad Al Sheba villa owners — we've got several AC systems across the villa, how do you keep them all serviced without surprise breakdowns and big bills?2 answersAC Service
- Dubai Creek Harbour — taking handover of a new apartment, what should I check on the AC and FCU before the snagging window closes?2 answersAC Service
- Jumeirah Golf Estates villa owners — does living on the fairways make the AC and humidity harder to keep on top of?2 answersAC Service
- How do I read the error code on a Fujitsu AC — the operation and timer lights are blinking a pattern?2 answersAC Service
- How do I read the error code on a Toshiba AC — the timer or operation light is flashing a number?2 answersAC Service
- How do I read the error code on a TCL AC — it's showing an E, F or P code on the display?2 answersAC Service