It’s frustrating to realize your AC system isn’t working on a hot summer day. Still, you can prevent most premature breakdowns and preserve temperature control in your house by maintaining your cooling unit correctly. Routine cleaning is one of the important steps in HVAC maintenance.
So how do you clean an air conditioner unit? Discover the necessary steps in the post below.
Areas to Focus on When Cleaning Air Conditioning Systems
You should focus on cleaning the filter and condenser coils with any air conditioning system. Air filters trap airborne particles that would otherwise circulate around your home and settle on surfaces. If your unit’s filter is too dirty, it’ll restrict airflow from the cooling system which can result in excess energy consumption to make up for the inefficiency.
The outdoor unit for mini-splits and central air conditioners houses the condenser coils, helping dissipate the heat coming from the indoor air outside. Too much dirt and debris collecting on the coils prevents them from transferring heat correctly which can also lead to reduced system performance.
Steps for Cleaning Air Filters
Though you should always contact a professional HVAC company to clean your AC system, cleaning the air filter is something you can do yourself. If you have a mini-split cooling unit, locate the air filter inside the front panel of the indoor portion of the system.
You can clean a reusable filter by dusting the surface with a soft cloth, rinsing it in tepid water, and drying it completely before putting the filter back into its housing.
The same steps apply to reusable filters for central air conditioners. Some systems don’t have reusable air filters, so you can simply swap the dirty filter with a clean one.
Steps for Cleaning Air Handlers
Air handlers are the indoor parts of an air conditioning system that house the evaporator coils. These coils facilitate the heat transfer to cool buildings so they must be free of dirt to work correctly. Cleaning them involves the following steps:
- Turn off the AC system’s power
- Expose the coils by removing the access panel
- Vacuum the coils gently using a soft brush attachment
- Apply a solution containing water and mild detergent
- Let the solution sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off
Steps for Cleaning Outdoor Condenser Units
The condenser coils are in the air conditioner’s outdoor unit. These are the steps to clean this equipment:
- Remove debris from the unit’s casing
- Ensure the path around the equipment is free of obstructions
- Call a professional to clean the condenser coils or fan blades
Call Eagle Pro Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Insulation for Top-Tier AC System Maintenance
Regardless of which type of system you use to cool your home, you must regularly maintain your AC system to keep it fully operational. Thankfully, you can count on our team at Eagle Pro Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Insulation. Our licensed and insured HVAC crew is one of the best in North Alabama, and we can repair, install, and maintain central and mini-split systems.
Our top priorities are our customers’ safety and comfort, so call (256) 203-0352 today to request an estimate.
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