How To Clean Air Conditioning Unit
As you get ready for the summer season and the impending air conditioning needs, it is important to ensure that your unit is prepared to handle the cooling process efficiently. Dirt and debris that accumulate over the months and clog various parts of the unit can make it work harder to perform the cooling process. This will increase utility bills and waste energy. An inefficient air conditioner can recirculate contaminants in indoor air and fail to remove excess moisture, leading to microbial growth.
If your air conditioner is in working order and has been undergoing periodic inspections and maintenance, all it may need is proper cleaning. While refilling the refrigerant or fixing any broken parts will require a professional, you can clean the accessible parts of the unit yourself. This do-it-yourself guide will walk you through the process of cleaning the unit safely.
A central air conditioner has an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. You can clean parts of both units.
Clean the Condenser Unit
First, you will need to turn off the power to the outdoor unit at the outdoor shutoff box housed next to it or at the main electrical panel supplying power to the unit. Unscrew the fan from the cage and lift it aside without disrupting the electrical connections.
Clean the interior of the compartment of leaves, dirt, and grass with a vacuum and wet cloth. If the fan motor is accessible, lubricate the ports with five drops of electric motor oil. If you spy any dark spots below the coolant tube joint, there could be a leak, and a professional will need to fix it and refill the coolant.
Clean and Straighten the Fins
Unscrew the protective exterior covers to gain access to the fins from the outside. Use the soft brush attachment of the vacuum to clean the exterior of the fins. Use a moderately powerful spray setting on your garden hose to dislodge any tough debris from the inside out. A fin cleaning spray will get rid of any particularly stubborn dirt.
Bent fins can block free airflow, so gently straighten them with a dinner knife. Take care not to damage the tubing behind the fins. Replace all the removed parts and restart the unit. Ensure that the unit is back on by making sure that the insulated tube feels cool and the uninsulated tube feels warm to the touch. Finally, clear any vegetation around the unit within a radius of 2 feet.
Clean the Indoor Unit
Turn off the power supply to the indoor unit at the switch next to it or at the main electrical panel. Remove the protective covers of the compartment and remove dust from the interior with a vacuum. If the motor lubrication ports are accessible, add five drops of electric motor oil into them.
Indoor air blows over the evaporator coil and is chilled. Because of this, the coil is susceptible to dust and dirt buildup, and it needs to be cleaned. Inside the blower unit, locate the evaporator coil door, which may be protected with foil duct tape. Unscrew the door and clean the evaporator coil within. Remove dust with a soft brush and spray it with a coil cleaner. Clean the drain pan below with warm water and soap. Use bleach if needed.
Clean the Drain Tube and Port
As the warm indoor air is cooled on the evaporator coil, it releases moisture that condenses on the coil and onto the drain pan. This condensation drains through a tube and flows out through an exterior outlet. Mold and algae can grow within the tube, and it needs to be cleaned regularly.
You can use a wet-dry vacuum to clear the tube of any debris. Add a solution of bleach and water in a ratio of 1:16 into the tube to flush it out more thoroughly and kill any biological growth within. You can clean the drain port by inserting a pipe cleaner to remove any debris.
Check the Filter
The furnace filter is the second line of defense against indoor airborne contaminants like dirt, pathogens, and chemicals. Just like the air filter, it traps them, and they accumulate on its surface. Access the furnace filter, and if there is a significant buildup of dirt on it, you will need to replace it.
We at Ken Parker Service, Inc. have provided high-quality air conditioning services in Greenville and surrounding communities in the Rockwall and Hunt counties of northeast Texas since 1977. Our team of NATE-certified technicians can guarantee that your air conditioner is in top shape to keep you comfortable and safe during the hot Texas summers.
We will conduct regular inspections and maintenance of your air conditioning unit and keep it running efficiently. We also perform air conditioner installation and indoor air quality inspection. We provide heating services as well. We have strong ties to the local community and are actively involved in supporting our local community organizations and sports teams.
Call us today to schedule an appointment for air conditioner maintenance.
