Air conditioning isn’t just the comfort of a home. It controls the air temperature and protects homeowners against heatstroke. A clogged air conditioning unit won’t perform as expected. You could experience poor air quality, and the system may not produce adequate cool air.
Seasonal cleaning eliminates the debris from your unit and improves the system’s functionality. When performing any cleaning, you should make sure to turn off the power to the unit. HVAC professionals will shut down the power to the AC before performing any service.
Remove the Interior Grille Cover and Air Filter
If you start from the outside, you can get rid of debris effectively. The grille cover accumulates dust and dirt frequently. You can remove the grille cover and clean it with a spray cleaning solution and a rag. If it’s coated with dust and dirt, you can spray the outside of the unit down with a hose to get rid of all debris faster.
Also, you can remove and throw away air filters that are disposable. If the air filter is reusable, you’ll follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning it. Some reusable filters are machine washable. Clean the filter according to the instructions. It is best to wait until you’ve finished cleaning the AC unit before replacing the air filter.
Cleaning the Evaporator Coils
You’ll spray the evaporator coils with a no-rinse cleaning foam. With a soft brush, scrub and remove all debris from the coils. A soft-bristle brush won’t damage the coils or bend them. Dirt and dust accumulate on the coils between seasons. By cleaning before each season, you can manage the debris more proactively. Make sure to scrub away all particles from the component to improve its functionality.
Ensure Proper Drainage
Clean out the drain pan with hot water and your favorite soap. This removes the debris and frees up the pan for proper drainage. You can also use a water and bleach mixture if you see signs of mold or algae.
Next, you’ll flush out the AC drain. The condensate drain line runs from the exterior unit into your home. It’s a PVC pipe that is often white and has a T-shape.
Finally, remove the cap and pour a mixture of water and bleach into the line. Let the mixture stay in the line for at least half an hour. Use your water hose to flush out the drain line. Put the cap back on once all the water drains out.
Remove the Casing on the Exterior Unit
Shut off the power to the exterior unit. Next, you’ll need tools to remove the casing from the exterior unit. Once removed, place all metal screws in a safe location where you can find them easily. Set the casing in a safe area where you can clean it. You can use the water hose and mild soap to clean the casing.
Remove All Heavy Debris
Twigs, grass, leaves, and dirt accumulate on the fan unit. You can remove twigs and leaves by hand and get it away from the fan. You’ll also need to vacuum out dirt, pollen, and particles from inside the unit. A shop vac is best for this task since water could be present. You can clean the fan with no-rinse foam cleansers and a soft brush.
Clean the Condenser Coils
You need a component-specific cleanser for the condenser coils. Follow all the manufacturer’s instructions for diluting the cleanser, and wear thick gloves. Some of these cleansers are dangerous, so avoid direct contact with your skin. You can mix the cleanser in a pump sprayer for proper distribution.
Spray the cleaner onto all coils and allow it to stay on the coils for at least 15 minutes. Rinse the cleanser off the condenser coils with a water hose.
Inspect the coil fins after the component is clean. Straighten any fins that aren’t straight to improve the component’s performance.
Move Debris Away From the Exterior Unit
Debris builds up around the exterior unit and can get sucked in. You should keep the lawn trimmed and prune shrubs around the unit. A leaf blower is also helpful to prevent falling leaves and twigs from stopping up the AC unit.
Where to Get AC Services
At Faught Service Company, we provide residential property owners with comprehensive AC cleaning services. In addition, we provide heating repair, installation, and maintenance. Our experienced technicians will ensure your HVAC system works efficiently after performing service.
Furthermore, our services improve the air quality within the home and increase the longevity of the AC system. Call Faught Service Company if you need a deep cleaning service for your AC system. To find out more about our services, give us a call right now!
