If you split your time between the Costa Blanca and somewhere colder, your air conditioning is probably one of the last things on your mind between visits — until you land in July and it doesn't work. Here's how to keep it genuinely ready year-round without living here full-time, and how to tell a maintenance service worth trusting from a distance apart from one that isn't.
Why "just leave it off" isn't the safest option
It's tempting to simply switch everything off and lock the door. In practice, a fully sealed, unventilated Mediterranean property left empty for months tends to build up humidity, especially over autumn and winter, which can lead to musty smells, mould around windows, and — inside the AC unit itself — moisture sitting in the filter and evaporator coil. Some owners get better results running the unit's "dry" (dehumidify) mode for a few hours a week via a smart plug or wifi-enabled unit, which keeps indoor humidity down without heating or cooling the empty property unnecessarily. It's not mandatory, but it's worth discussing with your installer if your unit supports it.
What a proper "while you're away" maintenance visit should include
Not all "maintenance" is equal. A visit that's actually worth paying for while you're abroad should cover:
- Cleaning filters and grilles on every indoor unit, not just a visual check.
- Checking the refrigerant gas charge and looking for early signs of a leak.
- Cleaning and inspecting the outdoor unit, including corrosion checks if you're near the coast — see our guide on salt-air corrosion in coastal properties.
- Checking the condensate drain for blockages, which is one of the most common causes of hidden damp damage in closed-up properties.
- A written or photo report you can actually check from abroad — not just a verbal "all fine".
How to vet a maintenance company from another country
Trusting a tradesperson you can't easily meet in person is a real concern for many overseas owners, and it's a fair one. A few practical checks:
- Ask for a proper invoice with VAT ("factura con IVA") for every visit — a company that only wants cash in hand is a warning sign, not a discount.
- Ask for photos of the outdoor unit before and after cleaning, or of anything they flag as needing attention.
- Check they can communicate in your language, at least by email or WhatsApp, so nothing gets lost in translation on something you can't inspect yourself.
- Ask how they coordinate access — via a keyholder, a management company, or a neighbour you trust — and confirm it in writing before the first visit.
- Ask what happens if they find a problem: do they fix small issues on the spot, or do they wait for your approval? Get this agreed before you're not around to answer the phone.
A realistic annual routine
For most second homes on the Costa Blanca, one thorough service before the summer season (checking gas, cleaning filters and the outdoor unit, testing the drain) covers the basics. If your property is right on the coast, or you know a specific unit has needed attention before, a second lighter check later in the year catches problems — like a slow gas leak or early corrosion — before they turn into a breakdown on your next visit. If you know your exact arrival dates, we can also time a pre-arrival visit specifically around them, as we do for owners in Cabo Roig and Punta Prima.
What this costs
A maintenance visit is a modest, predictable cost compared to an emergency repair or a full outdoor-unit replacement caused by unnoticed corrosion or a long-running gas leak. If you're installing a new system and want to plan maintenance in from day one, our guide to air conditioning installation prices in La Zenia, Cabo Roig and Punta Prima covers the upfront numbers.
A quick checklist before you fly out
- Confirm who holds a set of keys or how your maintenance company will access the property while you're away.
- Agree in advance whether small issues get fixed on the spot or wait for your sign-off.
- Ask for a dated, written report (ideally with photos) after every visit, not just a phone call.
- Note your likely return dates, even roughly, so a pre-arrival service can be scheduled ahead of time rather than as a last-minute rush.
Our recommendation
Treat your air conditioning the same way you'd treat a pool or a garden you can't tend yourself: a light, regular service is far cheaper than fixing what months of neglect leave behind. At Aircons Spain we work with second-home owners across the whole Costa Blanca, coordinate around your travel dates, and send you a clear report after every visit — so the only thing you need to do on arrival is turn the temperature down.