Your air conditioner is very important, and it’s what makes your home comfortable during the warmer months. Taking the time to learn how to clean your air conditioner will result in a more efficient operation and cool air dispersion throughout your home during extreme temperatures. Cleaning your air conditioning system will also allow it to last longer and run more efficiently, saving you money on energy bills.
Outdoor debris such as leaves, dirt, and sticks can build up on the condenser and impede its function unless you clean it. If you live in the Delaware Valley or at the Jersey Shore and would like assistance properly maintaining your air conditioning system, contact the expert HVAC technicians at Oliver Heating & Cooling today. We offer an affordable maintenance plan that is designed to fit any budget and provide other perks such as discounts and priority service!
Cleaning Tools You Will Need
- Screwdriver set
- Rubber Gloves
- Rake
- Garden hose with spray nozzle
- Shop vacuum
- Butter knife
Step by Step Instructions for Cleaning Your Air Conditioner
- Assemble all your tools next to your outdoor air conditioning unit.
- Make sure to shut off electricity to the unit. You should see a box on the exterior wall of your home by the air conditioner. It will have an ON/OFF switch or a block that you pull out to interrupt power. If shutting off power does not appear obvious, turn off the circuit supplying power to the A/C at your electrical box.
- If there is any debris or leaves around the base of the air conditioner, make sure to rake it away. Create a clean area around your unit of about 2 to 3 feet.
- Fit a soft brush attachment onto the shop vacuum.
- Vacuum the panels of metal fins around the outside of the air conditioner.
- Work the brush-up and down the fins to draw out as much dust as possible.
- Now you’ve reached the part of learning how to clean an air conditioner that requires opening up the housing.
- Remove the screws that hold the grill over the fan motor and blades.
- Carefully lift out the fan without disconnecting any wires. The wires should have enough length to allow you to move the fan and work on it.
- Wipe off any debris and dirt with a rag.
- Use the hose to spray the fan blades to remove all grime and dirt.
- An older air conditioning system may have lubrication ports on the fan motor. Look for those ports.
- If they are present, insert five drops of electric motor oil into each port. Only use this type of oil.
- If you cannot find any ports, then the motor has sealed bearings, which means you cannot add lubrication.
- If you see a belt that runs the compressor, check for lubrication ports there as well. Only an old air conditioning unit will have a visible belt.
- Return the fan to its original position.
- While you have the housing open, spray the fins from the inside as well. This will help to blast any more dirt and grime outward from the fins.
- Restore power to your air conditioner.
Trust the Experts at Oliver for All Air Conditioning Maintenance
The coolant inside of the air conditioning system is vital for cooling and optimal performance. Only professional air conditioning technicians should check the coolant level in your air conditioner and recharge the system if necessary. If handled incorrectly, this could result in a coolant leak which would completely disrupt your air conditioning system. Our team of expert HVAC technicians is delighted to offer a comprehensive HVAC maintenance plan that will serve to make sure your air conditioning system is operating efficiently. You can feel confident trusting the experts at Oliver for all your air conditioning maintenance needs. Contact the professionals today for help with your system.
