Revitalize your AC unit by learning how to clean the air conditioner.

Air conditioners operate more efficiently when the evaporator and condenser coils, or cooling fins, are clean and straight. By cleaning a room air conditioner yourself, you may save money and keep your home cooler.

Tools Required

• a four-bladed screwdriver

•A fin-combing tool

• gloves made of leather

• Rags

• A shop vacuum

Materials Required

• Coil cleaner for air conditioners

• Lubricant for electric motors

• Cleaner for the home

How to Clean Your Air Conditioner

Most people believe that warm air from their air conditioning unit indicates that it is low on refrigerant. This isn\’t always the case. Window and through-the-wall A/C systems frequently fail to provide cold air because the evaporator and condenser coils or cooling fins are blocked. Here are five air-conditioning blunders to avoid.

A professional cleaning will set you back more than $100. However, you can do the entire task in about an hour with a few dollars in supplies. If cleaning does not solve the problem, you may always hire a professional (or buy a newer, more efficient unit). But first, read on for our step-by-step air conditioner cleaning instructions.

The Cleaning Method:

Remove the plastic filter holder and trim panel first. Usually, it pops off. Then, either take the unit out of the window or slide it out of the wall. (Seek assistance. It\’s substantial.)

Remove the mounting frame and casing if you\’re working on a window A/C unit. Case screws are often found around the bottom edge of the case. Take note of the placement of any odd-length screws since they must be replaced in identical locations for reassembly.

Turn off the air conditioner\’s power.

For safety\’s sake, because air conditioners include many moving parts, you should cut off the electricity at the breaker box. As a result, you won\’t have any lighting; thus, this is just a daylight activity. If your indoor unit is located in a dark area, such as the attic, you must provide enough lighting.

Clean the Evaporator Coils on the Air Conditioner

The evaporator coil will be accessible through a door on your blower unit. You may need to remove the foil duct tape depending on your unit. The entry is frequently held in place by a few bolts or screws.

Remove dust from the coil with a soft brush if you have one. This dust will contain whatever particles are present in your house. This contains skin cells and occasionally pollen, so you should wear a mask if you\’re prone to allergies.

The ideal cleaning solution is a no-rinse coil cleaner, which you can get at your local home improvement store. This spray foams up and then drips into the unit\’s drain pan, carrying debris and dust with it. Spray the foam as evenly as possible, getting it into all the little locations you can\’t reach by hand.

The best time to do this is on a warm day when the AC condensation will rinse clean the coils when you switch the unit back on.

Remove the AC drain pan.

Clear out the drain pan after the coil cleaner has finished its work. Starting with soap and hot water is an excellent place to start, and bleach aids in sanitization. Use a 50/50 solution of bleach and water. To ensure that the solution is clear, pour it down the drain. If you want a more long-term solution to avoid algae from developing in your drain, you can buy AC drain pan tablets at most home improvement and hardware stores.

If the air conditioner drain is clogged, unplug it.

If your bleach solution is readily washed down the drain, you may omit this step. If it\’s slow, your drain may be clogged. Mold and algae can grow in the drain if it is not cleaned and maintained regularly. It\’s usually a one-inch-wide PVC pipe, so it doesn\’t take much accumulation to clog it.

Your drain may lead outside, usually near the condenser unit. Otherwise, it will drain into a utility sink or a floor drain in the basement. If your team is located in the attic, it may drain through one of your outside walls. Bring a wet/dry vacuum with you as you follow the drain to its terminus. If you are concerned about the filthy filter, you can remove it from the vacuum.

Hold the vacuum hose at the end of the drain tube. By wrapping a towel across the space, you may prevent air from leaking. Duct tape the hose and drain together for the best seal. Please turn on the vacuum and run it for two or three minutes to remove any accumulated buildup.

Reattach the AC access panel.

Reattach the access panel with the same screws you removed at the start of the operation. If you have it, seal the top and bottom of the access panel with HVAC metal foil tape. Covering up the manufacturer\’s label is not a good idea since a technician may require it to perform maintenance or repairs on the item.

This is all you need to do for a routine cleaning, but you may run across problems that you can\’t tackle on your own. If you have A-frame evaporator coils, you may discover inaccessible elements due to the coils\’ enclosure on both ends. If you haven\’t cleaned your A-frame coils in a while, you\’ll need to hire a professional to get them fully clean.

How to Clean Your Outside AC Unit

Cleaning the exterior unit and its condenser coils takes more time than cleaning the interior of the unit. Because it is continually exposed to the environment, this component of your system becomes incredibly dirty very quickly. You\’ll also need more specialized tools to clean it. Follow these measures to keep your outdoor unit in good working order.

Unplug and remove the AC grille.

Check that the power is turned off once again. Before you begin, you can turn off your electricity at the outside disconnect box.

Remove the sheet metal screws from the top of the device. Once you\’ve removed them, lift the fan unit and grille. Most teams have enough cable slack to place the top-down and lean it against the wall without disconnecting any wires.

Clean Out the Debris in the Air Conditioner

The amount of trash at the bottom of the air conditioner will vary depending on the unit. Because entry-level versions typically lack guards that prevent debris from entering the fan unit from the top, you may find leaves, seeds, or even tiny twigs in the bottom pan.

You may either scoop up the debris by hand or use your wet/dry vacuum to get it all out.

Clean the air conditioner\’s fins and coils.

It is simple to learn how to clean AC condenser coils. You\’ll need a coil cleaning solution, which may be found at any home improvement store. It should be noted that condenser coil cleaning is quite acidic and can cause burns. Because the vapors are hazardous, you should not use this cleaning on your interior coils.

According to the guidelines, add your cleaning solution to your pump sprayer after mixing or diluting it. It should be sprayed on the coils. It will bubble up in a few minutes and maybe be washed away with the hose.

This is not a job for a power washer. The fins are sensitive, and pressure can quickly destroy them.

Straighten the fins of the air conditioner.

Because bent fins limit airflow, this step is critical for efficiency. The best method to do this is to get a fin tool. These low-cost kits include teeth that allow you to comb a specific number of fins per inch. Check if you\’re using the correct number of fins per inch for your device. All that remains is to comb the fins back into place delicately.

1. Clean the Area Around the AC Unit.

Replace the fan cage and reattach it to the device using the screws you removed earlier. To ensure optimal airflow, ensure that the unit\’s space is spotless for at least 2 feet in all directions.

1. Set the temperature of the air conditioning unit.

Dirt may accumulate beneath your unit and cause it to tip over. If a condenser unit is out of level for an extended period, it may fail prematurely, resulting in costly repairs. If you discover that the condenser is not level, use shims to level it.

Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Filter

If you\’re wondering how to clean a window AC unit, the first thing you should do is change the filter. If you\’re going to clean the filter on a large unit, check the instruction manual to see if it\’s an option. The processes for removing the filters vary depending on the devices. However, the steps for cleaning filters are the same.

Clean the air conditioner filter.

Vacuuming is all that is required for routine maintenance. Use a brush-free attachment to avoid damaging the filter. Move the vacuum nozzle up and down the filter\’s length to vacuum it. There will almost certainly be a lot of dust removed. If you have pets, you may need to go over the filter several times to get out all the hair. If you push too hard on the filter when vacuuming, you risk damaging or denting it.

Soak the air conditioner filter.

Fill a bathtub or other big container halfway with room-temperature water. Mix with a bit of ordinary liquid detergent until the water lathers. Put the filter in the container and make sure it\’s completely immersed. Allow the filter to soak in the soapy solution for 10 to 15 minutes, moving it back and forth.

Brushes and other abrasive instruments should not be used on the filter as they may cause damage. Using a hose to remove dirt and debris is an effective method. Using a hose, hose off one side at a time until the water flows clear.

Mist the AC filter.

Fill a spray container halfway with a one-to-one mix of vinegar and water. Spray both sides of the filter with the solution and wait 10 minutes for it to destroy germs. Before proceeding, rinse the filter under running water.

Allow the AC to dry the filter.

Air conditioner filters must be allowed to dry naturally, which might take many hours. You may help the process by placing newspapers on the ground beneath the filter. Place the filter on top of the newspapers and lean it against the wall. After at least three hours, you can reinstall the filter in your air conditioning unit.

Keeping Your Air Conditioner in Good Working Order

A clean air conditioner is in good condition, but cleaning your own AC unit isn\’t always possible. If you don\’t have a shop vacuum, don\’t want to use chemical-based cleaning solutions, or don\’t want to spend hours manually combing your air conditioner\’s fins back into place, it\’s time to call in the professionals. As part of preventative maintenance, Daikin LLC. does thorough cleaning. Our professionals not only clean your AC system but also go through a comprehensive checklist to guarantee that your unit functions smoothly.

After the tune-up, the technician may present you with a detailed report outlining the work done and any repairs or modifications that are required. Daikin LLC. wants to keep your house functioning smoothly from top to bottom, from plumbing to heating and cooling. We are your Central PA source for efficient and competent services, whether you need to arrange a simple repair or need emergency services right away.

Contact Daikin LLC if you want dependable support. You may reach us by filling out our contact form or chatting with us online.