How To Clean Your Air Conditioner Unit Yourself!

Clean your air conditioner unit with these essential maintenance steps that should be conducted each year. You can clean the exterior condenser as well as the accessible areas of the indoor evaporator. In just a few hours with no special tools, you can give your AC system the thorough cleaning it needs to work efficiently all cooling season. In order to accurately test your AC unit after you’ve performed cleaning tasks, it needs to be at least 60°F outdoors, so reserve performing maintenance tasks for a day when the weather is warm enough. - See more at: http://www.hvac.com/blog/how-to-clean-your-air-conditioner-unit-the-condenser-yourself#sthash.jhkKLIDq.dpuf

Cleaning your exterior condenser

Your outdoor condenser’s components can become caked with dirt and other debris, which can restrict the unit’s ability to cool your home by blocking air flow. Your main target for this cleaning is the fins, which are the thin metal blades that encase the unit. To clean your condenser, follow these steps:

1. Turn off power to the unit at the exterior shutoff. Also, shut off power at your home’s electrical panel.
2. Using a wet/dry vacuum with a soft-bristled attachment, vacuum away dirt, leaves, grass, and other debris from the fins.
3. Remove all brush, vegetation, and debris from around the condenser.
4. If any of the fins are bent, you can use a butter knife to gently straighten them out. Be careful not to stick the knife more than a half-inch inside the unit
5. Remove the top grille, carefully lifting out the fan. Place it in a safe location and don’t pull at the electrical wires attached to it.
6. Remove any debris from inside the unit and wipe the interior clean.
7. From inside the unit using your garden hose, gently spray the fins. Be careful to only use moderate water pressure.
8. Reinstall the fan.
9. Turn the electricity to the unit back on at the outdoor switch and the electrical panel.
10. Make sure your thermostat is set to ‘cool’ and lower the temperature setting below the current temperature to trigger the unit to turn on.
11. After about 10 minutes, feel the tubing that runs from the condenser to the house to ensure the unit is working properly. The insulated tube should be cool to the touch and the uninsulated tube will be warmer.

Cleaning your interior air conditioning components

Dust and dirt can build up in your indoor air conditioning components, restricting efficiency and even diminishing your indoor air quality. Follow these steps to clean indoor areas of the system:

1. Turn off the power to the unit at the furnace switch as well as at the main electrical panel.
2. Remove your furnace filter and replace with a new one if necessary.
3. Open the panel to expose the blower compartment.
4. Gently vacuum away any dust and debris that have collected in the chamber.
5. Locate the condensation drain tube and gently disconnect it. To prevent algae growth, you can either replace the tube or clean it using a bleach and water solution of a 1:16 ratio. Pour the solution through the tube.
6. Clean the drain port using a soft-bristled brush or pipe cleaner to remove any debris which have collected here.
7. Reconnect the drain tube.
8. Turn the power back on at the furnace switch and at the electrical panel.

If you are uncomfortable performing any of these air conditioner cleaning steps or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your trusted HVAC professional. Also, remember that your air conditioner needs professional maintenance each season as well, so don’t forget to schedule your tune-up!

- See more at: http://www.hvac.com/blog/how-to-clean-your-air-conditioner-unit-the-condenser-yourself#sthash.jhkKLIDq.dpuf