How to Clean an Air Conditioner & Why is it Important? [Explained]

Improper air conditioner cleaning can reduce airflow and increase the energy consumption. Dust and grime accumulate inside the AC units, causing overheating problems. If the contaminant buildup isn’t removed on time, it can damage the interior parts.

Hence, every homeowner should emphasise cleaning their air conditioner units. Save costly repair expenses and prevent AC breakdowns with proper cleaning. One out of three individuals neglects air conditioner cleaning. They opt for servicing their cooling system when technical problems occur.

What if your air conditioner stops working after generating a rattling sound on a hot-humid summer day? We recommend cleaning the AC once every 3 months. It will extend the air conditioner’s longevity and improve the cooling efficiency.

We must mention that a dirty AC can affect your health. Severe respiratory issues can occur due to the extreme allergen and dirt buildup. Poor indoor air quality can also lead to skin and eye irritation. So, clean the interior and exterior units for better indoor air quality.

Let’s check out the signs and the steps for air conditioner cleaning:

Signs that Indicate Your Air Conditioner Require Immediate Cleaning

A few tell-tale signs indicate your air conditioner needs an instant cleaning. AC Repair Dubai recommends looking for mould and mildew growth in the external vents. Did you see mould buildup on this AC component? It’s time for a thorough cooling system cleaning.

Additionally, dirty air filters indicate that your AC needs cleaning. You must clean the air conditioner filters after every 3 months. Avoid using hazardous chemicals to remove dirt from these units, leading to unpreventable damage.

Air conditioners help us survive the scorching summer heat by producing cooler air. However, it can sometimes blow warm air even at a low temperature. Usually, it occurs due to dirty evaporator coils.

Clogged air filters and condensate lines can generate this problem in your AC. Whatever the reason is, you can fix it by cleaning the air conditioner units.

Do you hear a huffing or wheezing sound when the AC is on? The AC fan might have been unbalanced due to extreme dust accumulation. Cleaning the air conditioner fan can help you to eliminate this problem.

Moreover, you will get an unusual smell from the AC if cleaned within 9-10 months. A dirty drain pan could be responsible for this foul smell. So, you must consider cleaning this air conditioner unit to remove the odour.

Easy Cleaning Steps for Your Air Conditioner at Home

Cleaning an air conditioner is essential to keep your home comfortable and cool during summer days. Along with cleaning its interior parts, removing dirt buildup is crucial from exterior units.

Here we have mentioned the step-by-step instructions to clean an AC’s indoor and outdoor parts:

How to Clean Your AC’s Interior Units?

The first step is to cover the cooling device with a cleaning bag. It is essential to prevent dust or dirt from getting inside the AC. Don’t have a large cleaning bag? You can purchase it from any online store.

Ensure it has a cinch to tighten or lose the covered split AC area. Alternatively, you can use a large-sized trash bag if a cleaning bag is unavailable in the store. Then, follow these steps to wash the indoor components:

1. Turn off the Power Resources

Turning off the power units is important before cleaning the AC to avoid electrical hazards. Locate the circuit breaker or your house’s main power source. Push the toggle lever to the “OFF” position to stop the AC’s power supply.

2. Remove and Clean the AC Filters

Air filters are located at the front of every air conditioner, regardless of their type. Hence, finding this indoor unit is easy for every homeowner. Press each air filter side to loosen and remove them from the device.

Shake them a little bit to loosen the dirt particles and proceed to the cleaning process. Can’t remove the air conditioner filters? Check the manufacturer’s guide for quick help. Use a vacuum cleaner to extract the dirt or dust buildup from filters.

Are there any Other Ways to Wash Air Filters?

You can place them under the tap and pour water for effective cleaning. Rinsing the air filters will be enough if they are not that dirty. You can also gently rub the air conditioner filters with a soft sponge.

Do you want to deep clean the AC filters? Fill a large bucket with water and mix warm water and distilled white vinegar. Soak the air filters in this cleaning mixture for an hour and clean them with water.

3. Clean the Cooling Fins

Clean air conditioner fins ensure good airflow and improve cooling performance. Thus, you must check for any dirt buildup inside this unit. How to clean an AC cooling fan? Add a canister attachment with your air blower.

Turn on the air blower to remove the dust from the cooling fins. Additionally, you can use a soft bristle brush for an effective cleaning. Don’t exert excess pressure while cleaning this air conditioner unit, leading to damage.

5. Opt for Evaporator Coil Cleaning

An extremely dirty evaporator coil can restrict your AC from functioning properly. Condensation forms on the dirt buildup and freezes during the cooling operation. The frost buildup then prevents the heat transfer, causing the AC to stop cooling the indoor air.

Thus, experts recommend cleaning the evaporator coil once a year. It will help you to keep the cooling device in top-notch condition. Moreover, cleaning your AC’s evaporator coil is easy. Mix detergent with lukewarm water and put it in a spray bottle.

Spray the cleaning solution onto the evaporator coils 3-4 times. Let them soak in the mixture for 10-12 minutes, and loosen the debris with a microfiber cloth. Furthermore, you can use compressed air to remove the dust or dirt from the coils quickly.

6. Turn on the Air Conditioner

Ensure to install the filters or other indoor units properly after cleaning them. Locate the circuit breaker or power source and toggle the lever to the “ON” position. Turn on your home conditioner and check if cool air is coming. Contact a technician if the AC is not working after the indoor unit cleaning.

How to Clean Your AC’s Outdoor Units?

Cleaning an air conditioner’s outdoor units is easier than cleaning indoor ones. If you keep these units dirt-free, the cooling device can provide optimal yearly performance. Dirty outdoor units can even cause a fire. So, clean them by following these easy steps:

1. Switch Off the Air Conditioner

Turn off the air conditioner using the remote control to stop electricity from flowing into it.  Additionally, you must turn off the circuit breaker before cleaning the cooling device’s exterior components.

2. Clean the Air Conditioner Drain Lines

Drain lines are an essential unit, yet homeowners often overlook them when performing an AC cleaning routine. Clogged drain lines result in mould growth and water damage. So, you must clean it to avoid these complicated problems.

The condensate drain lines are located outside of your house. It looks like a long PVC pipe with white, grey or black colour on it. Check where the drain pan is and remove the excess water using dry rags.

Next, look for the drain line’s access point; it will be near the drain pan. If the drain line has a cap or cover, consider removing it. However, you must wear safety gear before cleaning the drain lines. Inspect the condensate drain lines for internal clogs.

How to Clean Debris from Condensate Drain Line?

Do you see a large debris chunk inside the drain line? Break them up using a hand wire brush and pour 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar down the line. Let the vinegar soak for at least 30 minutes, and pour water gently into the drain line. Repeat these steps until the drain lines are completely free from dirt or grime.

3. Remove Dust and Debris from Condenser Fins

Add the condenser fins to your cleaning checklist. You must clean it twice a year for a smoother AC operation. Attach a vacuum cleaner with the condenser fins to remove the dust and debris from this outdoor unit. Additionally, you can use a brush to clean out the leaves or sticks visible in the condenser.

4. Take Care of the Metal Fins

Do you have a long dinner knife? It can be used to remove the dirt particles inside the metal fins. Cleaning these fins is essential to keep your AC in the best condition. These fins must be straight; otherwise, the cooling system might cause issues while running.

5. Unscrew and Clean the Fan

Most homeowners take an expert’s help to remove and clean the exterior AC fan. However, you can do that easily without any external assistance. Unmount the outdoor box’s screws using a screwdriver.

Detach the grille from the condenser’s top and remove the fan. Take out the bolts that secure the fan with a small-sized wrench. Take a mug or large cup and fill it with water and detergent. Mix the cleaning solution and pour it onto the fan.

Wipe the fan blades with a microfibre cloth and let it dry. Can’t remove the outdoor condenser fan? Double-check the manufacturer’s guide to confirm the fan removal steps. Or, hiring a technician will be a wise idea to remove or clean the fan safely.

6. Reinstall the Disassembled Parts

Mount the fan bolts with a screwdriver to secure the fan into the condenser unit. Reattach the top grille to your air conditioner’s outdoor unit. Ensure all the outdoor parts are installed properly before turning on the power units.

Switch on the circuit breaker and other power resources. Turn on the air conditioner and check if it is circulating sufficient cool air. Contact a professional if the AC is making a loud noise after the outdoor unit cleaning.

Is It Safe to Clean an Air Conditioner without any Professional Assistance?

Cleaning an air conditioner requires specialised tools. Removing the dirt or grime buildup or unclogging the indoor units might be tough without them. Additionally, you must have adequate knowledge about the cleaning products.

Using an incorrect cleaning solution or tools can cause damage to the AC. Although you can perform basic AC cleaning jobs, professional guidance must be required. So, schedule an appointment with an expert to achieve the best AC cleaning results.