As soon as summer ends, most people kind of forget about their air conditioners until May rolls around again. Next thing they know, it's the hottest day in July and suddenly the air conditioning fails. This is likely due to an issue with the screen filter. If the filters on the unit aren't kept clean, they can clog with dirt and cause the unit to fail. With an outdoor unit, you need to make sure that weeds and grass aren't growing into any of the openings. The most important tip, though, is to regularly replace its filters. Don't wait until you're sweating it out in the middle of summer to take care of the air-conditioning unit.
Air conditioner units can be an expensive investment. Whether you have a window unit or a large outdoor unit, it becomes an essential part of your home.
Simply turning on the AC and expecting cool air is easy, but because of the usage most air conditioners receive, along with their outdoor locations, all units require regular maintenance. With a bit of care, you can keep your AC working efficiently and cooling down your home for years. These tips will help you make air conditioner maintenance a quick and easy task.
1. Turn off the power
Before working on any electronic appliance, unplug it. This protects both you and the air conditioner from damage. Simply unplug a window unit from the outlet. Large standalone units, however, have main breakers and pullout fuses instead of simple plugs. This is the first and most important step of air conditioner maintenance.
2. Vacuum loose debris
For a standalone outdoor AC unit, clean a two-foot circle around it. Then, gently vacuum the outside of the AC unit with a Shop-Vac or similar type vacuum and a brush attachment. These steps remove any dirt, leaves and grass clippings so they're not blown into the unit during cleaning.
3. Use a spray nozzle
The easiest way to clean the AC fins is from the inside out. Remove the shroud and spray from the inside, pushing the debris back out the way it came in, instead of pushing it farther inside the unit. A normal garden spray nozzle is all you need. Don't use a pressure washer; it will damage the fins.
4. Straighten the fins
AC fins in window and outdoor units are incredibly fine, flexible pieces of metal. Just a slight bump bends them, and then they no longer work at top efficiency. This vulnerability, however, also makes it easy to repair them. Simply use a stiff brush to gently comb the fins back in place. Straighten badly bent fins with a knife.
5. Clean the fins
If you discover that the fins are particularly dirty, you'll want to invest in a commercial cleaning spray, which can be found in a local department shop.
6. Clean the filter
Most window air conditioners feature washable filters. You'll find this filter just inside the interior grill. To clean it thoroughly, lay it in a sink filled with hot water and laundry detergent, and soak for 15 minutes. Then, gently rub with a scrub brush. Rinse with clean water and hang to dry.
7. Remove stubborn grime
If water won't remove the dirt and dust, try a stronger cleaner. A commercial coil cleaner works wonderfully, but you also can make your own. A mixture of vinegar and water is a gentle, yet effective AC coil cleaning solution. Simply mix, spray and let rest for a few minutes.
Doing the maintenance in the fall will go a long way to ensure a properly functioning air conditioner next spring.