AC & Mini-Split Cleaning in Vancouver, WA
Professional AC, heat pump, and mini-split cleaning across Vancouver, WA and Clark County. Eco-safe products, honest flat pricing, and a written report after every visit — so you know exactly what you paid for.
What Vancouver homeowners say
Clean Air, Not Just Cool Air
Every time your system runs, it pulls air across the coils, drain pan, and blower — the exact spots where moisture and dust collect. Left alone, those damp surfaces grow mold, mildew, and bacteria, and your system quietly circulates those spores into every room. The EPA notes that concentrations of some indoor pollutants run two to five times higher than outdoors — and a neglected system is a big reason why.
That musty smell? On a mini-split, it’s almost never the coil.
A mini-split pulls air across the coil and into the fan — so the blower wheel sits right behind a surface that’s near freezing. It becomes the coldest, wettest thing in the box, and it’s made of porous plastic. That’s where the growth lives. The coil usually comes out fine.
Every manufacturer has this. It’s a design consequence, not a brand problem. It’s also why cleaning the coil and calling it a day doesn’t fix the smell — you have to get into the wheel.
On a central system it’s different: there the coil and the drain pan are the wet spots, and that’s where we go.
Got pets? Your system works overtime. Pet dander — a leading household allergen — and shed hair get pulled into your filters and coils, recirculate through the home, and choke airflow. Pet homes need cleaning more often, and a deep clean clears out what a filter can't catch — healthier air for you and your animals.
- Growth on the blower wheel (mini-split)
- Mold & mildew on the coil and drain pan (central)
- Standing water in the drain pan
- Dust, pollen, and other allergens
- Pet dander and hair
- Musty odors and weak airflow
How we actually clean — and what we won’t pretend
1 We wash your condenser from the inside out
Dirt goes into your outdoor coil from the outside. So when a guy hoses it down from the outside, he’s pushing that dirt deeper into the coil. The fins look great. The coil is still choking.
To actually clean it, you pull the top off and wash it the way the dirt came in — from the inside out. That’s an hour instead of ten minutes. That’s why almost nobody does it.
2 Pressure does the work. Chemistry finishes it.
The growth on a blower wheel is a film. You don’t spray a film away — you take it off with pressure.
What the enzyme cleaner does is break down and carry off the organic residue that water alone leaves behind. That’s why the smell doesn’t come back in six weeks — not because we sprayed perfume on it, but because the stuff making the smell isn’t there anymore.
We’re not going to tell you we “treat” your system with anything it doesn’t need. The products that exist for that are narrower than the promises made about them.
3 The duct fogging nobody can show you works
Ever had a company offer to fog your ducts with a chemical treatment? Here’s the part they leave out.
A small number of products are EPA-registered for use inside ducts, and every one of them is limited to bare sheet metal. Nothing is registered for fiberglass duct board or fiberglass-lined duct. If your ducts are lined — and plenty around here are — there is no legal product for the inside of them. Spraying one anyway is a FIFRA violation, and it lands on whoever holds the sprayer.
Even where it is legal, the EPA’s own position is blunt: “Research has not demonstrated their effectiveness in duct cleaning or their potential adverse health effects.”
We don’t sell it. Not because we can’t be bothered — because nobody can show you it works.
4 If your system is choking, we’ll show you the number
Sometimes it’s the filter. Sometimes it’s the ductwork. Sometimes it’s the coil.
We measure static pressure and you get the number either way. We’re not going to sell you a coil cleaning when the problem is a collapsed duct.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Regular Maintenance
Keep your system running efficiently and catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs. A full seasonal tune-up for residential and light commercial systems.
Best for: yearly upkeep and lower energy bills.
- Multi-point system inspection
- Filter check & replacement
- Coil & drain visual inspection
- Airflow & performance test
- Eco-safe cleaning agents
- Written service report included
Prices shown are before Washington state and local sales tax.
Opens our scheduler — choose Central Systems → AC or Furnace Tune-Up.
Air Handler + AC Deep Clean
A complete deep clean of your indoor air handler and outdoor coils — the buildup you never see but always pay for in higher bills and weaker cooling.
Best for: systems that haven't been cleaned in a year or more.
- Indoor air handler coil deep clean
- Outdoor condenser coil wash
- Eco-safe foaming chemical treatment
- High-pressure coil rinse
- Drain pan rinse & clear
- Fan & motor inspection
- Full performance test
- Written service report included
Prices shown are before Washington state and local sales tax.
Opens our scheduler — choose Central Systems → Air Handler + AC Deep Clean.
Cleaning is one of three mini-split jobs. Install, repair & cleaning — which one do you need? →
Mini-Split Deep Clean
The growth in a mini-split lives on the blower wheel, not the coil — and you don't spray a film off, you take it off with pressure. That's what this is.
Best for: weak airflow, a musty smell, or a system that hasn’t been opened in a year.
- Full internal disassembly of front panel, louvers, and drain pan
- Blower wheel cleaned under pressure — where the growth actually lives
- Indoor coil cleaned
- Outdoor unit — always included
- Enzyme cleaner — breaks down and carries off organic residue
- Drain pan rinse + line flush
- Filters washed — and we show you how
- Full measurements: temperature split, amps, capacitor, drain flow
- Written service report included
Prices shown are before Washington state and local sales tax.
Opens our scheduler — choose Ductless Mini-Split → Mini-Split Deep Clean — 1 head.
Mini-Split Performance Max
Both options get the wheel clean. This one answers a different question: where did the dirt go? When you blast a blower wheel at pressure, some of it lands in the bag — and some of it goes into the housing, behind the fan, into corners you can't reach with the unit on the wall. Performance Max means we take it down and clean every part separately, so there's nothing left behind.
Best for: heavily used systems, commercial units, or anyone who wants it done to the last screw.
- Everything in Deep Clean, plus:
- Full indoor unit disassembly — casing, blower, housing
- Every component cleaned separately, off the wall
- Complete drain system flush
- Deep component cleaning
- Diagnostic testing
- Detailed performance report included
Prices shown are before Washington state and local sales tax.
Opens our scheduler — choose Ductless Mini-Split → Performance Max — 1 head.
Ceiling Cassette Cleaning
Ceiling cassettes hide the same blower wheel as a wall unit — it’s just over your head, behind a drop-out panel. Same clean, same pressure, same report. The only difference is the extra care it takes to open one up and catch everything without it landing on your floor.
Best for: recessed ceiling units in offices, condos, and open-plan homes.
- Full internal disassembly of front panel, louvers, and drain pan
- Blower wheel cleaned under pressure — where the growth actually lives
- Indoor coil cleaned
- Outdoor unit — always included
- Enzyme cleaner — breaks down and carries off organic residue
- Drain pan rinse + line flush
- Filters washed — and we show you how
- Drop-panel removal + ceiling protection
- Overhead containment — nothing hits your floor or furniture
- Full measurements: temperature split, amps, capacitor, drain flow
- Written service report included
A cassette either comes apart or it does not come clean, so there is one price — and it already includes everything Performance Max includes.
Prices shown are before Washington state and local sales tax.
Opens our scheduler — choose Ceiling Cassette → Ceiling Cassette Deep Clean — 1 cassette.
Ducted Mini-Split Service
A ducted handler in your attic usually doesn’t need a coil wash — it’s sealed and it filters real air, so it doesn’t foul like a wall unit. What it needs is airflow. We measure static pressure, service the drain, check the filter and the numbers, and rinse the outdoor unit. If the coil genuinely needs attention, we’ll show you why before we touch it.
Best for: concealed/ducted indoor units in attics, closets, or above ceilings.
- Static pressure test — supply + return, against the unit’s rated spec
- Temperature split — return vs. supply
- Drain line flush + safety switch check (a clogged attic drain makes a ceiling, not a puddle)
- Return filter service
- Amps + capacitor check
- Indoor coil — dry inspection, cleaned only if the numbers call for it
- Outdoor unit rinse
- Written report
No coil wash unless the readings justify it. We’re not charging you to clean something that’s already clean.
Prices shown are before Washington state and local sales tax.
Opens our scheduler — choose Ducted Mini-Split → Ducted Mini-Split Service.
More than one head? Here’s the math, out loud.
| Your setup | Deep Clean | Performance Max |
|---|---|---|
| 1 head | $249 | $319 |
| 2 heads | $343 | $483 |
| 3 heads | $437 | $647 |
| 4+ heads | Let’s talk — same math, we’ll just run the numbers | |
Ceiling cassette: $365 for one, $575 for two, $785 for three. Each additional outdoor unit: +$62.
Two things happen exactly once, no matter how many heads you have: we show up, and we clean the outdoor unit. Those get charged once.
Every indoor head gets the full job — same pressure, same chemistry, same time. We don’t discount the work, because we don’t do less of it.
Got three separate single-zone systems instead of one multi-zone? Then you’ve got three outdoor units, and you pay for three. The only thing you save is us showing up twice more.
That’s the honest math. It’s the same math we’d do standing in your driveway.
Ducted mini-split in your attic? We’re not selling you a coil cleaning.
Here’s why your wall units get disgusting and your ducted unit doesn’t.
On a wall unit the filter is a thin screen, the outlet is wide open to the room, and the blower sits right behind a freezing cold coil — so it turns into a condensing surface and catches everything moving through it. That’s your growth.
A ducted handler has a real filter in the return, it’s sealed, and it isn’t breathing humid room air. Tight ducts and a decent filter, and that coil doesn’t need washing. Anybody quoting you to pressure-wash a ducted unit in your attic is quoting you for a job that doesn’t need doing.
What your ducted unit actually needs is airflow. These things are rated as low as 0.04 inches of static pressure — a fraction of what a furnace pushes. One kinked flex run or a loaded filter and that blower is fighting for its life. That’s what we measure.
That, and your drain. A clogged drain line in an attic doesn’t make a puddle. It makes a ceiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my mini-split or AC cleaned?
For most homes, a deep clean every 1–2 years keeps airflow strong and bills down — sooner with pets, allergies, or year-round use. Check filters monthly. If you notice weak airflow or a musty smell, it's time regardless of the calendar.
Is professional cleaning worth it, or can I just do it myself?
You can rinse filters and wipe the front panel yourself — and that’s worth doing. But the buildup that actually hurts performance sits deep in the coils, blower, and drain, which need proper chemicals and tools to reach safely. A pro deep clean restores airflow a wipe-down can't.
What's the difference between Deep Clean and Performance Max?
Both get the blower wheel clean, and both use the same pressure. The difference is where the dirt ends up.
When you clean a wheel in place, some of what comes off lands in the bag — and some of it goes into the housing, behind the fan, into corners you can’t reach with the unit still on the wall.
Performance Max means we take the unit down and clean every part separately. Nothing left behind. Deep Clean is enough for most homes. Performance Max is for people who want it done to the last screw.
Will cleaning lower my energy bill?
Usually, yes. Dirty coils force your system to work harder to move heat, burning more electricity and wearing parts faster. Clearing that buildup restores heat transfer and airflow, so it cools the same space using less energy. The dirtier it was, the bigger the difference you'll feel.
Can a dirty AC actually make you sick?
It can contribute. Mold, bacteria, and allergens that build up on dirty coils and in the drain pan get circulated into your air every cycle. For people with allergies, asthma, or weaker immune systems — and for kids and seniors — that can mean more sneezing, coughing, congestion, and flare-ups. A deep clean removes the source.
Why does my mini-split smell musty?
Because of where the blower wheel sits. On a mini-split the fan is behind the coil, so it’s the coldest, wettest surface in the box — and it’s porous plastic. That’s where growth takes hold. The coil usually stays clean.
This is why cleaning the coil doesn’t fix the smell. You have to get into the wheel.
Do you check refrigerant pressure on a mini-split?
No — and neither should anyone else. Mini-splits have one service port, on the gas line. You physically can’t calculate subcooling from it, and the inverter compressor changes speed constantly, so the pressure never sits still. We measure temperature split instead: room air in, supply air out. That number actually tells us something.
I have three indoor units. Is it three times the price?
Close, but not quite — and it depends on how they’re set up. If they run off one outdoor unit, you pay for that outdoor unit once, and for our trip once. If you’ve got three separate systems, that’s three outdoor units, and you pay for three. The indoor work is the same either way, because we do the same work on each head. Full table above.
Do you clean ducted mini-splits?
Usually there’s nothing to clean. A ducted handler has a proper filter in the return and it’s sealed off from room air — with tight ducts, that coil doesn’t foul the way a wall unit does. What it does need is an airflow check. Details above.
I have pets — do I need cleaning more often?
Usually, yes. Pet hair and dander get pulled into your filters and coils, recirculate through the home, and make the system work harder. Most pet owners benefit from more frequent filter changes and a deep clean about once a year to keep airflow strong and dander out of the air you and your animals breathe.
How long does a cleaning take?
A full Deep Clean usually runs 1.5–2.5 hours depending on the unit and buildup. Performance Max takes longer since we disassemble the indoor unit. A central tune-up is quicker. We’ll give you a clear time estimate when you book.
What if my unit is mounted high or hard to reach?
No problem — we bring our own ladders and equipment and handle access ourselves. You don't need to move furniture or appliances before we arrive. If there's anything unusual about the spot, just mention it when you book so we come prepared.
Are there any hidden fees?
Washington sales tax gets added on top, the same as anywhere else in the state. Card payments over $700 carry a 3% processing fee, and we'll tell you before you pay it. Beyond that, no — the package price is the package price, and if we find something extra we show you and let you decide.
Do I get anything in writing after the service?
Yes. Every cleaning includes a written service report listing exactly what we did, with photos and any findings. You'll know precisely what you paid for and the condition of your system — no guesswork, no upsell pressure.
Do you service Vancouver, WA and nearby areas?
Yes. Heisenberg HVAC serves Vancouver, WA and Clark County, including Camas, Washougal, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Woodland, Hazel Dell, and Five Corners. Not sure if you're in our area? Just ask when you reach out.
Don’t want to think about this every year?
A plan means two things: we schedule it, and the deep work is covered when your numbers say you need it — not on a calendar, and not as a surprise line item on your invoice.
Members get repairs at 10–20% off, free diagnostics, and they go ahead of anyone without a plan when it’s 98° out.
From $19.90/mo. Cancel by text or a one-line email — we handle it the same business day.
Why “Heisenberg”?
Werner Heisenberg (1901–1976) was a Nobel Prize–winning physicist and a founder of quantum mechanics, best known for the Uncertainty Principle — there's a hard limit to how precisely you can pin down two things at once.
We took the name for the opposite reason: when it comes to your air, guessing is the enemy. We measure what we clean — coils, airflow, the drain — and hand you a written report, so there's no uncertainty about what you paid for. The science of clean air.