Your air conditioner, regardless of the type, works better when it’s clean. A dirty air conditioner is not only unable to keep you as cool and comfortable as you’d like but won’t last as long as one that’s kept clean. There are things you can do on your own, such as regularly changing the air filter, but some other ways to thoroughly clean your air conditioner should be left to HVAC professionals.
Change or Clean the Filters
Changing or cleaning the air conditioning filters no less frequently than every three months is as simple as can be. Filters play a huge role in how well an air conditioning system works and whether it works as long as it is supposed to. They’re not only easy to install, but they’re inexpensive and can be found at any hardware or big box store.
What Else You Can Do
First, cut off the power at the circuit box and unplug the unit, no matter what type of AC it is. Then, gather cleaning implements such as clean damp and dry cloths, a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, household cleansers and your garden hose.
If you have an outside condenser unit, you can take off its cover and carefully remove any litter that has found its way inside it. Clean up the area around the unit as well. Then, vacuum away any dust and grit, and use the garden hose to wash it out.
For a room unit air conditioner, wash the filter, and let it dry completely. Replace it if it’s so filthy that it’s not cleanable. Take off the grille and clean it; then, take off the unit’s outer casing to reveal the unit’s inner workings, which include the evaporator coils. Empty out the drip pan and clean it. However, thoroughly cleaning the inside of the unit requires that it be taken out of the window, and it’s best to leave that to a professional. Moreover, the coils inside the unit are fragile, and if they’re bent, they won’t work the way they should.
If you have a mini-split, you may have to use a step stool to reach it. Wipe the unit with a damp cloth and dry it. Open it up, take out its filter, and wash and dry it. As with the window unit, clean its drip pan. The mini-split has an outdoor condenser, and you’d clean it the way you’d clean the condenser of your central AC.
Call and Let Us Help With Cleaning Your Air Conditioner
A clean air conditioner brings cool, fresh, comfortable air into the rooms of your home and makes your summer delightful. You can do some of it yourself, but for some deep cleaning or other maintenance services, don’t hesitate to call the HVAC pros at Peak Home Performance of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
