How To Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit: A Complete Guide

How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit: A Complete Guide

Around 90% of American households have air conditioning. Knowing how to clean your air conditioning unit will improve its efficiency immediately.

As income levels rise around the world, more people are getting air conditioners. Staying cool is an important aspect of physical and mental health, so having access to AC matters.

Being hot and stuffy is the worst. You deserve to enjoy the cooling power of a clean air conditioner.

Here’s what you should know about how to clean an air conditioner:

Prepare

First, make sure the air conditioner is unplugged before cleaning it. Otherwise, you’ll have to turn off the electricity with your breaker box to ensure it can’t run.

Then gather your supplies. You’ll need AC coil cleaner, a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, gloves, protective eye gear, and more. You may also need a screwdriver to open your unit.

This task requires about half a day to complete.

Clean the Filters

Air conditioning maintenance means cleaning your filters regularly. Most air conditioners have reuseable or replaceable filters located near the inlet side’s end.

Use your soft brush attachment to vacuum up the debris. Simply removing the hair, dirt, and dust that gathers in the filters will improve poor indoor air quality.

Coils 101

Air conditioners have coils for two different units: indoor and outdoor. AC unit maintenance involves cleaning the internal and external coils in each unit.

Access them by removing the protective grilles on the top and side. Avoid tugging at wires while you’re removing the panels.

Coil Cleaning

Anybody who knows how to clean an AC knows how to clean evaporator coils and condenser coils. Evaporator coils are in the internal/indoor unit. These coils are usually made from copper and contain coolant.

Clean the outside of the evaporator coils first, then the inside with a soft brush very gently to avoid bending the fins or coils themselves. Use a fin comb to straighten the fins out afterward if it’s necessary.

Condenser coils are in the exterior/outdoor unit. Use an AC coil cleaner to clean the debris from the condenser coils. Make sure you spray it from the inside and avoid the electrical components.

Refrigerant Line Assessment and Test

Refrigerant lines are tubes covered with foam insulation that travel from evaporator coils. The insulation helps with conserving energy.

If the insulation is damaged or lacking, replace it with a foam insulation sleeve. You could also wrap the lines in insulation tape for a quick fix.

After this, put your AC back together and test it out. If it’s still not working right, you probably need a professional air conditioner tune-up.

Learn How to Clean Your Air Conditioner the Convenient Way

Air conditioners use 6% of all energy produced in the United States. Now that you know how to clean your air conditioning unit, you’ll be more comfortable than ever.

If cleaning your AC sounds too tough, don’t stress about it. At Above and Beyond, Heating and Cooling, we’re happy to take care of that for you. We do air conditioner repairs, cleanings, and so much more.

Keep cool and calm — schedule our air conditioner services today. By the time we’re done, your air conditioner will run like it’s new.