How often should you service your air conditioner on Bonaire?

On Bonaire, the best rule is to have your air conditioner serviced every 6 months, and every 3 to 4 months for vacation rentals or homes right by the sea. That is more often than in a cooler climate, and there is a good reason for it.

I'm Andres, a plumber, electrician and handyman on Bonaire. Every week I see air conditioners that break down sooner than they should. Usually the cause is simple: no maintenance for too long. In this post you'll read how often to have your AC checked, how to tell it's time, and what you can do yourself.

Why air conditioners work harder on Bonaire

An AC on Bonaire has a tougher life than almost anywhere else. Four things play a role:

• Salt air. The trade wind carries salt from the sea all day long. That salt settles on the outdoor unit and corrodes the thin metal fins and the connections.
• Dust. The island is dry and windy. Dust gets into the filters and onto the coils, so less air can pass through.
• Heat. It's warm all year round. An AC here doesn't run a few weeks a year, but every day and often all night too.
• Expensive electricity. A dirty AC has to work harder for the same cooling. You'll see that on your WEB bill.

The result: filters clog faster, the drain blocks sooner and rust starts earlier. Regular maintenance prevents that.

So how often?

How often your AC needs maintenance depends on how much it runs and how close you live to the sea. This is my advice:

Situation	Clean filters (yourself)	Service visit (technician)
Own home, AC mainly on at night	Every 4 weeks	Every 6 months
Own home, AC on day and night	Every 2 weeks	Every 4 to 6 months
Home by the sea or exposed to the wind	Every 2 weeks	Every 3 to 4 months
Vacation home or Airbnb	At every guest changeover	Every 3 to 4 months
Home empty for long periods	Before you use it again	Before you return, at least once a year

Not sure? Then go for every 6 months. A good moment is the start of the rainy season in October or November, and once more in spring.

Signs your AC needs maintenance now

Don't want to wait for the schedule? Then watch for these signs. If you see one, book a service visit.

• The AC cools less than before, or the room no longer gets cool.
• Water drips from the indoor unit or runs down the wall.
• A musty or bad smell comes out of the AC.
• The AC is noisier, ticks or vibrates.
• Your electricity bill is higher while you're not using the AC more.
• You see rust, white salt deposits or loose fins on the outdoor unit.
• The AC switches on and off a lot, or shuts down by itself.

Is your AC already leaking or not cooling anymore? Then read this first: AC leaking water or not cooling? 7 causes

What's included in a service visit?

During a service visit I clean the whole AC and check that everything works properly. This is what I do:

1. Remove, clean and refit the filters.
2. Clean the coils of the indoor unit.
3. Flush the condensate drain and drip tray, so the AC doesn't leak.
4. Rinse the outdoor unit and remove salt and dust.
5. Check the electrical connections for rust and loose wires.
6. Test that the AC cools well and sounds normal.

Do I find a problem that needs more work? Then I tell you first and let you know what it costs. I only continue once you agree.

What you can do yourself in between

Between two service visits, a few simple things make a big difference:

• Clean the filters. Switch off the AC, take out the filters and rinse them with lukewarm water. Let them dry completely before putting them back.
• Keep the outdoor unit clear. Remove leaves, sand and stuff around the outdoor unit. Air needs to flow freely on all sides.
• Fresh water after a salty spell. Gently rinse the outdoor unit with a garden hose, without a pressure washer. Only do this with the power off.
• Don't set it too cold. 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F) is comfortable and saves electricity. Every degree lower makes the AC work harder.
• Keep windows and doors closed. Otherwise the AC is cooling the outside air and your bill goes up.

Note: never open up the AC and don't touch the refrigerant lines or wiring. That's a job for a technician.

What does AC maintenance cost?

A service visit costs USD 45 per AC. Until 15 November 2026 there is a low-season offer:

Number of ACs	Price
1 AC	USD 45
2 ACs	USD 80
Each additional AC	USD 35 extra

Example: a home with 3 ACs costs USD 115 in total. For other jobs I charge USD 25 per hour, with a minimum of 2 hours. Small jobs are paid in cash on the spot.

Frequently asked questions

Is AC maintenance on Bonaire really necessary if it still cools fine? Yes. Salt and dust do their work even when you don't notice anything yet. Timely maintenance prevents an expensive repair later.

How long does a service visit take? Usually about an hour per AC, depending on how dirty it is and how easy the outdoor unit is to reach.

Do I need to be home? Not always. Do you live abroad or are you travelling? Then we can agree on WhatsApp how I get in. You'll get photos of the result.

My AC is leaking water. Is that bad? Usually the drain is blocked. A service visit fixes that. Don't leave it too long, because water can damage your wall or floor.

Do you also service vacation homes? Yes. I'm happy to schedule it between two guests, so your rentals keep running.

Need your AC serviced on Bonaire?

Send me a WhatsApp with the number of ACs and your neighbourhood, and we'll find a time. A photo of the indoor and outdoor unit helps. I work all over Bonaire.