How To Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit

Your air conditioner is one of the most expensive systems in your home, and if you want to keep it running smoothly for years to come, you should invest in a good annual cleaning routine. You can usually do this process yourself, but there are a few tips and tricks you should know before you start. You’ll also love how cleaning your air conditioner can lower your cooling costs, and how simple it is to clean the entire unit. But if your unit isn’t functioning properly, you may need to hire an air conditioning repair technician from a local HVAC company that provides residential and commercial AC repair services.

Make Sure That You’re Safe

One of the most important steps in cleaning an air conditioner is to ensure that you’re safe from any electrical hazard. You can do this quickly and easily by going to the electrical box and turning the switch for the air conditioner to the “off” position. You should also let the rest of your household know not to turn the switch back on while you’re working.

Steps to Cleaning the Indoor Unit

The next step is to clean the inside unit of the air conditioner. This will usually be located in the attic, basement, or utility closet. Once you’ve found the unit, remove the access door to reveal the evaporator coils and drip tray. Use a soft cloth or brush to remove any dust or allergens that may have accumulated on the coils. Then remove the drip tray to get rid of any mold or other buildup inside. Once you’ve removed the tray, clean it in a solution of bleach and water to kill anything that might be growing there.

The final step of cleaning the inside of the air conditioner is to find where the drain line empties. This will usually be somewhere near the basement or on an exterior wall of the house. Use a wet vac to suction out any debris that may have become lodged in the line. If you pour water down the line and it flows through without a problem, you can skip this step.

Steps to Cleaning the Outdoor Unit

It’s common for debris to fall on or grow around the outdoor air conditioning unit, which is typically situated on a cement slab. If this is the case, remove as many twigs, leaves, branches, and other types of debris from around the unit as you can find. This is also an excellent time to clear away any brush that has been growing around your air conditioner.

The next step is to remove the grate on top of the air conditioner to expose the inner parts of the system. You may need to remove some screws from the top. Once you’ve removed the cover, use a brush to clear away loose dirt. If there is mud stuck on the components, the easiest way to remove it is to spray it off with a hose.

Once you’re done using the water, take a rag or old bath towel to wipe away any remaining moisture. You should also straighten any bent fins on the air conditioner. These delicate fins need to be straight in order to maximize energy savings. You can straighten them using a fin comb specially designed for this purpose, which you can find at many home improvement stores. If they’re already straight, simply leave them alone. Finally, replace the grate by placing it back on the unit and tightening the screws. If you can’t do it yourself, an air conditioning repair technician can help you clean and repair your AC unit.

Test Your Work

When you’ve completed all the steps, turn the thermostat off, go to the electrical box to turn the power for the air conditioner back on, and then set the thermostat to the “cool” position. You can also check the vents to ensure they’re blowing cool air.

If you’re not comfortable performing this work yourself, or simply don’t have the time, our team at Swanton Energy Services is here to help. Learn more about our maintenance service plans to keep your system running at its best.