Should through-the-wall units be periodically cleaned/maintained beyond just the filter?
I have a unit somewhere between probably 10-12 years old. I asked the front office to replace it and after a whole ordeal they finally decided to do so in the near future.
I feel like it’s not a great unit and has been getting weaker and more inefficient year after year. We’re extremely low-maintenance tenants, have never asked for an improvement or update in over 6 years. I insinuated they should check it occasionally, clean the coils, clean the pan. I kinda got a dismissive and frankly seemingly rude response about how that it’s not something you do on these, like I’m treating it like a central AC unit and these don’t need to be cleaned or have the coils cleaned or checked for debris, that I only have to wipe out the filter every so often and they definitely don’t want me to attempt anything beyond this.
It smells musty like wet socks on occasion but they say that’s normal and as long as it goes away that it’s just normal mildewed dust that’s been accumulating after a period of disuse but the machine naturally cleans that out as it runs more frequently. Which is how I described it progressing, yet I also said it’s been getting worse and harkening progressively more often in the 6 or 7 years I’ve been here.
The outdoor part of it is encased in a painted metal enclosure with slatted vents. There’s no drainage on this model and there’s often a pooling of water if you get close enough and check the bottom. It looks green, a bit murky and the bottom surface appears flaky. I mean it’s metal and exposed to the elements at all times, but that just seems like more reason for occasional more serious maintenance/cleaning of the internals and the outdoor casing, but they say they’re not responsible for that kind of maintenance because its unnecessary but also that I’m definitely not supposed to take it apart either. Should I insist it’s a problem or is it not? I’m hoping when they install the new unit they’ll clean it out. I’ll be gone when they install it but I’ve asked my roommate to see if that will be done and if not ask that it’s cleaned/restored if needed.
I just want to know what I should actually expect out of the maintenance. It’s clear I’m just in charge of the removable indoor filter and them the rest. If the person I’m talking to is wrong I can try to go over them and insist upon the proper maintenance and care through the maintenance workers, but I feel very ignorant and want to make sure they’re not just taking advantage of that.