The condenser coils in your air conditioning unit can get quite dirty. The cleaner they are, the more efficiently the system operates in cooling your home. You should clean the coils once a year, and here’s how to do it.
Turn off the Power
You should flip the circuit breaker for your air conditioner so it’s powered off. It’s always important to make safety the first priority.
Remove the Panel
Your central air conditioner has a panel you can remove using a screwdriver. If you’re not sure what the panel looks like, refer to the operator’s manual that came with your AC unit. If you don’t have a manual, you can usually find one online.
Clean the Coils
You can remove large debris like dirt clods, leaves and spider webs by hand. You then use a coil brush (found at big box hardware stores) to dust off the condenser coils. Lightly brush the coils parallel to the fins so you don’t bend them. You don’t want to brush hard as you’re just trying to remove loose dust and other fine materials.
Use Foaming Coil Cleaner
Spray foaming coil cleaner directly onto the coils. It will foam, which lifts off dirt and grime stuck between the fins. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes and then spray the foam off with a garden hose. There are also no-rinse versions of this type of cleaner.
Straighten the Fins
You can straighten any bent fins using a fin brush. Run the brush parallel to the fins. This will help your air conditioning unit operate more efficiently.
Complete the Job
Now that you’ve cleaned the coils, put the panel back on using a screwdriver, and flip the circuit breaker back on. You’ll want to put a reminder on your calendar to repeat this process in a year.
At Logan's Heating & Cooling of Clinton, MO, we clean condenser coils as part of our annual maintenance plans. We’re a heating and cooling company that also handles installations and repairs. Please call us today for help with your HVAC equipment.
