Your air conditioner needs steady airflow and efficient heat transfer to keep your space cool when it’s hot outside. When dirt and dust accumulate inside your system, it can’t cool as efficiently and ends up using more power. In fact, one dirty air filter can increase energy usage by 5%-15%.
Proper cleaning and regular maintenance will ensure your A/C remains functional for summer, but cleaning an air conditioning unit isn’t straightforward. To keep your air conditioner ready for summer, here’s what you need to know.
- Start with your air filter
Most central HVAC systems have a filter in the return air vent that needs to be cleaned or replaced every one to three months. If you let it go longer, the filter will end up heavily coated and will restrict air flow. If you have pets, smoke indoors, or have a lot of dust, this can’t be skipped.
Letting your air filter collect debris for long periods of time will cause your HVAC system to work even harder and may eventually damage internal components. Keeping the air filter clean is a simple task that prevents dust from damaging your system and keeps your A/C ready for summer cooling.
- Clean your evaporator coils
Evaporator coils absorb heat from indoor air and transfer it outside. To maintain efficiency, these coils need to be regularly cleaned. When dust accumulates on the coils, it creates insulation that reduces their ability to transfer heat. Dirty evaporator coils can significantly reduce cooling efficiency and cause your air conditioner to work harder, increasing your monthly energy bills.
Unlike air filters, your unit’s evaporator coils aren’t readily accessible. You’ll need to remove an access panel to reach them inside the furnace cabinet. Once you’re able to access the coils, you want to use a soft brush to remove dirt from the surface and a specialized coil cleaner for deeper cleaning. If you use anything not designed for coils, you risk damaging the metal.
While cleaning the coils, if you happen to find any bent fins, use a fin comb tool to straighten them and restore proper airflow, or call an HVAC tech to do it for you.
- Clear debris from your outdoor condenser
Just like evaporator coils, condenser coils can accumulate layers of dirt and grime. Since these coils release heat outside, buildup can prevent your system from releasing heat it removes from your home.
If the area is full of dirt, leaves, grass clippings, branches, or anything else, it will restrict the airflow. HVAC techs recommend keeping at least two feet of clearance around your outdoor condenser to allow proper airflow.
To keep this area clean, simply add it to your weekend tasks that involve regular yardwork a couple times a year, and be sure anyone who does landscaping for you keeps it clear.
Before you start cleaning anything, cut the power at the box near your outdoor unit. There should be a disconnect that you just need to unplug. You don’t want to risk it starting up while you’re cleaning it with water.
Use a garden hose to rinse the coils by spraying from the inside out to push debris away from the coil surface. If you’re dealing with heavy dirt, use a dedicated coil cleaning solution to dissolve the grime.
- Clean your drain line
When your air conditioner removes humidity from the air, that moisture drains through a special line that carries water away from your system. However, this drain line is prone to developing algae and mold over time. You don’t want a backed-up drain line. Find the access point where water comes in and flush the line with water or distilled vinegar. Then check the drain pan to ensure it’s clear of debris and standing water.
- Clean your fan
Sometimes fan blades get coated with dirt, and that can decrease airflow and strain the compressor. You can remove the fan grille to access the blades for easy cleaning. Just wipe the blades with a damp cloth to remove buildup and restore proper airflow. If any fan blades are damaged, you might need to replace the fan.
- Schedule routine maintenance
During routine maintenance visits, an HVAC tech will perform specialized tasks like inspecting refrigerant levels and electrical connections, making mechanical adjustments, and calibrating your thermostat.
Clean equals efficient
A clean air conditioning unit will run more efficiently than one with dirt buildup. If you don’t know how clean your unit is, don’t wait until summer comes to find out. Regular cleaning will ensure you can keep your home cool, even during the hottest months of the year.
