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How to Clean Your Air Conditioning System

Written by
Bradley Talley
Published June 1, 2024
How to Clean Your Air Conditioning System

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 and Cooling 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 and Cooling. 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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About The Author

Bradley Talley

Bradley is the president of Eagle Pro Heating & Cooling and has several years of experience in the residential and commercial heating & air conditioning industry.


Customer Testimonials

What Your Neighbors in North Alabama are Saying!

“Amazed by the great service I’ve just received from Eagle Pro on servicing and checking my unit. My technician Austin was knowledgeable, polite, took time to make sure I understood everything. Best cleaning and summer check-up my unit have had, he did a awesome job.”

-Vernita H.

“I had a fantastic experience with Christian Hess from Eagle Pro Heating and Cooling! He was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and efficient in handling all of my HVAC needs. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking top-notch heating and cooling solutions. Thank you for your excellent service!”

-Kevin V.

“Jeremy is great. He is very knowledgeable and customer friendly. He found a leak within minutes that another company wanted to charge $800 just to check. Rachel also was great. Because of these two, I am hooked on Eagle Pro for any and ALL HVAC concerns!”

-Nicole S.

“Very professional staff!! Installation went smoothly. Would definitely recommend their services. Everyone was extremely nice from Dakota (sales rep) to Rachel (financing) to Alex (technician) and all of the other guys who helped with the installation of my Mitsubishi split system”

-Jennifer L.

“I love the honesty about Justin and this business of Eagle Pro! He lets you know all details of what is going on with your unit even when the problem maybe covered by warranty by other service providers. Thanks Justin!”

-Darrin R.

“Justin came to our house for the second time today and I just want to say he’s so nice, knowledgeable, on time, and very professional! Eagle pro is quick, fast, and most importantly very reasonable in their pricing! I don’t think I’ll ever use anyone else.”

-Amy R.
    Thank you, Eagle Pro. Matt was awesome and knew exactly what the problem was within a few minutes. Part ordered,.picked up, installed and confirmed to resolve the problem within such a reasonable amount of time. Can't thank you enough! Matt was very professional but like having someone you know and trust working for your best interest. Highly recommend Eagle Pro. They are in it to do what's right and not try to force you to replace an entire unit when a $350 part, knowledge, and a little elbow grease are all that's necessary!!
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We're thrilled to know you had a fantastic experience with us.
    Jacob was very courteous. He took a lot of time to give details on installation of new HVAC system.
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5-star rating, Teresa! We genuinely appreciate your support.
    Brain is great. He knows what he's doing, takes the time to explain everything, and answers any questions you have. I'm so glad we finally found a great company with an amazing technician!
    Response from the owner:Hi Natalie! We appreciate the review and are glad we could be of service!
    Brian J came out to do a maintenance call and did a great job. He was very informative, courteous, and thorough. I will definitely recommend him and Eagle Pro to my friends and family.
    Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback. Thank you for the review!
    Nathaniel was very professional. Very knowledgeable. He explained everything.he answer all my questions. I really appreciate him. He came today and fixed my ducts and strayed into in my attic. He very neat and explained everything he was doing. This will be my new place for heating and cooling. Great customer service and great on well done. Thank you
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5 Star review sherri!
    Company has been very helpful, however I had a new unit installed (Furnace and Ac) back in mid January and since then I have had to call them back twice. Both times the company has went above and beyond to get a technician out ASAP the fix the problems, I wouldn’t have any other company handle my home repairs they are THE BEST!
    Just had a summer check up and cleaning. Brian didn’t see any issues that look like they will cause trouble this summer and everything should be good to go. Thank you so much.
    Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating and feedback! We are happy to hear that we were able to book your appointment promptly and that our technicians were friendly and knowledgeable. We are glad that we are a company that you can trust. Thank you for choosing Eagle Pro!
    Easy to book, technician showed up on time and was very thorough. Even offered solutions for future
    Response from the owner:Thanks for the positive review Stacy!
    Nath Merhoff, was very professional and thorough in all aspects of the job. He took time to explain various items about the units and answered all my question. Nath went above and beyond the criteria of the job. Thank you Nath
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a positive review - it’s greatly appreciated!
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a positive review - it’s greatly appreciated!
    Brian J done a great job servicing our unit. He took the time to answer any of our questions. Also went into detail with the concerns he had with our unit. Highly recommend
    Jeremy Seal with Eagle Pro went above and beyond to diagnose and recommend solution to correcting the issue. Thank you for great service
    Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback. Thank you for the review!
    Did an excellent job Communication skills were good
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a positive review - it’s greatly appreciated!
    I recently started using Eagle Pro and have found they are very knowledgeable and professional business practice. No complaints
    Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review. Thanks!
    Tyler did a great job! Was on time, thorough in completing the task, very respectful and polite. Thank you muchly for making quality hires!
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5 Star review Billy!
    Nate stopped by today to check my heat pump… very professional and thorough… Did a great job explaining features on my new programmable thermostat and how and when the auxiliary heat kicks in. Checked the inside of my main duct as well as the insulation on all ductwork… Checked attic insulation and recommended additional insulation… all with a smile… great job Nate!
    Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback. Thank you for the review!
    Brian J. Came out and diagnosed our system. He was very friendly and outstanding. Totally trust him and Eagle Pro. I will be recommending Eagle Pro to all my friends. Thank you
    Response from the owner:Hi Amy! We appreciate the review and are glad we could be of service!
    Tyler was very diligent in tracking down our reoccurring problem. He was great and I highly recommend him.
    Response from the owner:Thank you, Shawn Kindahl, for the 5-star rating! We appreciate your feedback. Thank you for choosing Eagle Pro Heating and Cooling!
    Very friendly, explained everything he was doing! On time! Would highly recommend
    Response from the owner:Thanks for the positive review Terri!
    Fantastic! Nate is excellent
    Response from the owner:Hi Shelby! We appreciate the review and are glad we could be of service!
    Great job! Answered all my questions. Took the time to look around. Stayed way longer that I thought. I’ll be back in touch soon.
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review!
    Tyler and his partner were outstanding. Personable, professional and knew their job. It was a good experience. We will definitely recommend Eagle Pro to friends.
    Response from the owner:We are so glad to hear it! Thank you for your review!
    WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND EAGLE PRO!!

    WE HAD OUR UNIT CHECKED BECAUSE OF OUR HEATING ISSUES , SO WE CALLED EAGLE PRO

    THEY SENT THEIR GUY BRYAN, TO INSPECT

    BRYAN ARRIVED AT HIS SCHEDULED TIME
    HE WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL, WELL EQUIPPED, WELL EDUCATED AND VERY PROFESSIONAL

    HE WAS ALSO VERY KIND TO US WHEN DELIVERING THE BAD NEWS ABOUT OIR OLD WORN OUT UNIT AND DUCT WORK

    WE COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER, MORE FRIENDLY SERVICE!!

    CALL EAGLE PRO TODAY!!
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    Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review. Thanks!
    Response from the owner:Thanks for the positive review Danielle!
    Outstanding service, and the only HVAC company in the area with true emergency service - Christian drove over an hour in the early morning hours after our heat went out in freezing temperatures. He diagnosed and fixed the issue promptly, and the price was great. Will definitely be returning for any HVAC products and services needed in the future.
    Response from the owner:We are so glad to hear it! Thank you for your review!
    Impeccable service - Jacob went above and beyond to evaluate everything and provided us with a fair and competent quote. Would not deal with any other company in the North Alabama area regarding HVAC.
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a positive review - it’s greatly appreciated!
    Heat went out on a Friday night when temp was 23. After calling about a dozen places that state 24/7 emergency service, this is the ONLY business that truly was. They had a live answering service and a tech called me back within minutes. Chris came from over an hour away and heat was back on within a half hour. Thoroughly explained everything. Price was very reasonable and we're very happy with his work! Highly recommended.
    Response from the owner:Hi Lisa! We appreciate the review and are glad we could be of service!
    Tyler came over to my house today for a tune-up, and was extremely knowledgeable and professional. Thanks Tyler for all your help.
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review!
    Nathaniel Merhoff came by yesterday to do a tune up on our system and he was amazing he was very informative and helpful, uhh quite frankly the most helpful, beautifully helpful!
    Response from the owner:Hi Timothy! We appreciate the review and are glad we could be of service!
    On one of the coldest days Brain came out and found the issue with our heat. Not only was he knowledgeable about the issue he was kind and took the time to explain everything so I understood. I will remain a loyal customer.
    Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share your review with us!
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5 Star review Tiffany!
    The Tech was knowledgeable about his craft, very nice, well spoken and he didn't kill time, he was on top of the situation and fixed it like a Pro should.
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5 Star review Terry!
    These guys are great (Nathaniel and Brian). Very professional, very knowledgeable, and very thorough with the inspections. Good customer service overall. Highly recommend .
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5 Star review adrian!
    Matthew Bienko was great. 10/10!
    Response from the owner:We are so glad to hear it! Thank you for your review!
    Very courteous and professional.
    Response from the owner:Thank you, Brax Hall, for the 5-star rating and your positive feedback! We appreciate your kind words about our knowledge and professionalism. Thank you for choosing Eagle Pro Heating and Cooling!
    Brian came out for a tune up and showed us some problems with our unit. It was an older unit so we expected some issues. Jacob came out and gave us some quotes and everything we needed to review and make a decision on a new unit. Both were very helpful.
    Response from the owner:Hi Samantha! We appreciate the review and are glad we could be of service!
    Called Eagle Pro to come check my system. Jeremy came and performed service. He was very thorough and system is working great. Highly recommend Eagle Pro for all your heating and cooling needs.
    Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review. Thanks!
    Very professional and explained what he was doing. Our unit is running great now and very reasonable repair cost. Very happy with Jeremy who came out!! Will be our guy from now on.
    Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback. Thank you for the review!
    Our thermostat died and I called Eagle Pro and Tyler was able to come out that day and get our system back up and going. He was on time and checked our system thoroughly to make sure everything checked out. Call Eagle Pro for all you HVAC needs!
    Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review. Thanks!
    Matthew was so friendly and efficient! I highly recommend Eagle Pro!!!
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a positive review - it’s greatly appreciated!
    Amazing!! They were so professional and honest. Highly recommend
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We're thrilled to know you had a fantastic experience with us.
    Jacob and Matthew were great to work with
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We're thrilled to know you had a fantastic experience with us.
    Nate came and did my scheduled maintenance. Superb work, he explained everything he did and why he did it. He took his time to ensure everything was in good order. Ever since we had Eagle Pro install our unit last year they have been absolutely amazing!!
    Response from the owner:Hi Christopher! We appreciate the review and are glad we could be of service!
    Christian and his helper were great. They forgot their collapsible ladder in my basement. I set it out on my front porch so they can come by and get it tomorrow
    Response from the owner:Thank you, Thomas for the 5-star rating! Thank you for also taking care of our ladder, we will make sure to pick it up from your front porch tomorrow. Thank you for choosing Eagle Pro Heating and Cooling!
    Eagle Pro’s technician, Christian Hess, was very professional, quick and effectively fixed our air purifying system for us. Thank you Eagle Pro!
    Jeremy was awesome!! He was so thorough and very helpful. 10/10 recommend!
    Response from the owner:Thank you, Hannah Keller, for the 5-star rating and your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you found Jeremy's service awesome and helpful. Your recommendation means a lot to us. Thank you for choosing Eagle Pro Heating and Cooling!
    John and David installed my new Bosch unit today. They were here till job was done. Even after hours in the rain and mud. Very grateful for them today. Highly recommend Eagle Pro!!!
    Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We're thrilled to know you had a fantastic experience with us.
    Customer service is top notch!!! Above and beyond my expectations when it comes to customer service. ( i didn't have work done. Contacted in regards to having a service tech come out. Unfortunately they didn't service my area. Wish I knew the receptionist name. She contacted another company to see if they could get a technician out to service my unit.
    Response from the owner:Thank you for the review! We appreciate your feedback Bobbie.
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