Spring has sprung, which means that sooner rather than later homeowners need to think about summer household maintenance. Assessing your home's air conditioning, whether you use window units or a central air conditioning (AC) system, is among one of the most essential tasks.
It’s worthwhile to clean your air conditioning in the spring. Let's look at why - and how - you need to get this taken care of before the summertime heat.
Why now?
Cleaning out the coils, fan, fins and condenser of your AC unit can keep it running smoothly for longer than if you left the appliance untouched until it eventually stopped working. As noted by home repair website The Family Handyman, a cleaned AC unit runs much more efficiently, keeping your home cooler while costing less in monthly utility bills. Having it ready well in advance of summer means you won't spend a moment indoors in overheated discomfort.
Sorting out an HVAC unit
If you choose to take the do-it-yourself route, here’s what The Family Handyman suggests. Make sure power is completely off before cleaning the outdoor portion of your air conditioning unit, as is good practice with working on any appliances. Then remove the unit's casing by unscrewing each portion of it, and use one of the small attachments on your home vacuum cleaner to clear the fins and condenser coil of dust, foliage and other miscellaneous outdoor matter. DIY Network, another home improvement blog, recommends unscrewing the grille to reach the fan blades and cleaning them gently with a high-strength spray from your garden hose.
If your unit's fans run on an electric motor that requires lubrication, apply five drops of the appropriate oil, as the owner's manual likely indicates. Family Handyman pointed out that numerous AC units won't require fan motor maintenance. The compressor's motor won't either, unless it is an older belt-driven unit. If you note any problems in this area such as a leak, you'll probably need to enlist a repair professional if this is the case.
To clean the blower unit, according to DIY Network, you can dust the evaporator coil and spray it with a cleaner specifically for this purpose, and then use water-diluted bleach to clean the drain pan. Check the evaporator drain for clogs. If any are found, clear them out with a wet/dry vacuum. Finally, change the filter with the appropriate replacement, and you're done!
Cleaning a window air conditioner
If your home relies on window AC units, cleanliness is just as important. But cleaning takes fewer steps. BrightNest, a blog affiliate of the professional directory Angie's List, stated that you should unplug the unit or disconnect it from fuses. Also, remove the AC's capacitor, as this part stores extra electricity that could still shock you while you're cleaning.
Wipe down the outside cover to eliminate any dust and outdoor detritus. Then, remove the cover by popping it out or unscrewing it (as well as its grille, if it has one). Take out and clean the AC's filter by soaking it in soapy water if it's reusable. Or throw out the old one and replace it with a new part if it's disposable. Finally, vacuum the inside of the unit to get rid of any dirt. Then reassemble everything and make sure all parts are completely dry before reconnecting it to a power supply.
It’s worthwhile to clean your air conditioning in the spring. Let's look at why - and how - you need to get this taken care of before the summertime heat.
Why now?
Cleaning out the coils, fan, fins and condenser of your AC unit can keep it running smoothly for longer than if you left the appliance untouched until it eventually stopped working. As noted by home repair website The Family Handyman, a cleaned AC unit runs much more efficiently, keeping your home cooler while costing less in monthly utility bills. Having it ready well in advance of summer means you won't spend a moment indoors in overheated discomfort.
Sorting out an HVAC unit
If you choose to take the do-it-yourself route, here’s what The Family Handyman suggests. Make sure power is completely off before cleaning the outdoor portion of your air conditioning unit, as is good practice with working on any appliances. Then remove the unit's casing by unscrewing each portion of it, and use one of the small attachments on your home vacuum cleaner to clear the fins and condenser coil of dust, foliage and other miscellaneous outdoor matter. DIY Network, another home improvement blog, recommends unscrewing the grille to reach the fan blades and cleaning them gently with a high-strength spray from your garden hose.
If your unit's fans run on an electric motor that requires lubrication, apply five drops of the appropriate oil, as the owner's manual likely indicates. Family Handyman pointed out that numerous AC units won't require fan motor maintenance. The compressor's motor won't either, unless it is an older belt-driven unit. If you note any problems in this area such as a leak, you'll probably need to enlist a repair professional if this is the case.
To clean the blower unit, according to DIY Network, you can dust the evaporator coil and spray it with a cleaner specifically for this purpose, and then use water-diluted bleach to clean the drain pan. Check the evaporator drain for clogs. If any are found, clear them out with a wet/dry vacuum. Finally, change the filter with the appropriate replacement, and you're done!
Cleaning a window air conditioner
If your home relies on window AC units, cleanliness is just as important. But cleaning takes fewer steps. BrightNest, a blog affiliate of the professional directory Angie's List, stated that you should unplug the unit or disconnect it from fuses. Also, remove the AC's capacitor, as this part stores extra electricity that could still shock you while you're cleaning.
Wipe down the outside cover to eliminate any dust and outdoor detritus. Then, remove the cover by popping it out or unscrewing it (as well as its grille, if it has one). Take out and clean the AC's filter by soaking it in soapy water if it's reusable. Or throw out the old one and replace it with a new part if it's disposable. Finally, vacuum the inside of the unit to get rid of any dirt. Then reassemble everything and make sure all parts are completely dry before reconnecting it to a power supply.
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