How to Clean Your AC Unit

February 21st, 2019 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Dirt, dust and other debris can cause performance issues in your AC unit. This is not just in your air filter which should be changed regularly, but on the coils and vents of your indoor and outdoor units also need cleaning. Cleaning your AC unit should be part of your routine maintenance; it can reduce strain on the unit and improve efficiency, as well as extending the life of your unit. Here are some simple tips to clean your AC unit to keep it in tip-top shape.

Cleaning Your Indoor AC Unit

For indoor units, or split units, clean the indoor air conditioning by focusing on the vents and coils. First dust and clean the vents to make sure they are free from blockages. Next, the evaporator coils can be cleaned. Check your manual for the location of your coils on your unit; usually you will need to remove an access panel. The evaporator coil can be cleaned using compressed air, brush or coil cleaner, removing the dust and dirt that accumulate on the coil.

Cleaning Your Outdoor Unit

It is important to keep your outdoor unit free from any obstructions on the outside and clean the coils on the inside. Brush or rake away any debris, creating a 2-foot clearance around the unit. To clean the coil inside, first turn off the power to the unit. Then, remove the cover and clean the coils using compressed air, brush or cleaner; usually the coils can be hosed clean with water to wash away any debris that is loosened. Make sure to also clean all vents to ensure air flow and turn the unit back on when you are done.

Cleaning your AC unit is just part of the maintenance that should be performed. Save yourself time and schedule a service and cleaning through your local HVAC service to keep your AC unit maintained.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

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Does Your AC Have Dirty Coils?

August 10th, 2018 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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There are a few things that can make your air conditioner run poorly and less efficiently. One of them is dirty condenser or evaporator coils. One maintenance item that you need to stay abreast of with your air conditioner is keeping coils free of dirt and debris. This can make a big difference in the performance and efficiency, saving your money off energy bills and repair costs.

The condenser coil of your A/C unit is one of the most important components. The coils are what cool the hot air. The hot air travels through the coils and is cooled by refrigerant, but it is necessary for the hot air to be released. The cleaner the coils, the more efficiently the unit can cool the air. If the coils are dirty, the fan and rest of the unit must work harder to cool the air. This uses more energy and puts more wear on your A/C unit. Dirty coils can reduce efficiency by up to 30% and detract from the life span of your unit, costing you more money monthly and premature replacement.

Air quality plays a big part in how quickly your coils will become dirty. In desert areas, dust storms cause big issues with air conditioning units. In metropolitan areas, pollution and other factors can create dirt and residue on coils. You can clean some dust and debris off your vents and coils yourself. Use low-pressure canned air to remove dust from condenser and evaporator coils, as well as the vents.

However, to ensure your coils are completely cleaned inside and out, get them cleaned by a professional. This is usually included with most A/C tune-ups, which is another good reason to have a tune-up at least once a year.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

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Save On Your Cooling Costs With Clean Coils

April 30th, 2012 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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How would you like to save money on your air conditioning bills while extending the life of your central air conditioning system?  If this sounds good to you, then take a few minutes to inspect and clean the evaporator and condenser coils on your air conditioner or heat pump.

Most HVAC services should be handed by an HVAC professional because it requires training, skills and equipment that the average homeowner doesn’t have.  However, one thing most handy homeowners can do between scheduled HVAC maintenance visits is to clean the coils.

With a typical split central air conditioning system, the evaporator coil is located in the ductwork near the furnace, downstream of the furnace filter.  If you have a heat pump, this area is called the air handler.  Changing the furnace filter or air filter regularly will help keep the evaporator coil free of dust and debris, but over time there may be some build up on the coil.

Before cleaning the coils, turn off the power to the system.  Using a vacuum cleaner or shop vac with a soft brush attachment, vacuum the accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris from the coil. Be very careful not to bend or damage the soft aluminum fins.

The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit.  You may need to remove the metal casing to access the coil.  Remove any leaves, grass clippings and large debris with a soft brush.  Again, be very careful so that you don’t damage the fins.

Cleaning the evaporator coil and condenser coil allows air to flow freely over the coils and helps your system operate most efficiently.

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