Should I clean my air conditioner

A dirty air conditioning unit can be detrimental to the cooling of your home, or workspace. Whilst many air conditioners are already equipped with self-cleaning systems, it is paramount you occasionally provide your unit with a manual, thorough clean. A clean might be especially crucial if you have noticed that unit is not working as efficiently as it should be, dirt and dust can clog your air conditioner and prevent airflow.

Air conditioning coils and filters require frequent cleaning in order for the unit to operate effectively. Cleaning these instruments can not only aid efficiency but also extend the life of your unit. This increased efficiency should also result in reduced energy costs.

How to clean your air conditioning unit

When cleaning your air conditioning unit there are specific elements you should focus on, these are the air conditioner’s filters, coils and fin coils.

Cleaning the filters

Regular cleaning or replacing of your air conditioner’s filters can be considered as the most important task in ensuring the effectiveness and health of your unit.

Filters that are obstructed with dirt, dust, or other particles will result in reduced airflow. Another side effect associated with blocked filters is that air that manages to flow through the filter might be transporting dirt directly into the evaporator coil, which in turn will result in the coil’s functionality being compromised.    

In order to clean your air conditioner’s filters you should first consult your user manual for implicit instructions on how to do so.

Cleaning the coils

Your air conditioning unit likely has two coils, the evaporator coil and condenser coil, it is vital both of these are kept free from any dirt, dust or debris.

The evaporator coil is an element found on the indoor unit; you can prevent this coil from becoming impaired by maintaining your filter. However, it is likely the coil will encounter dirt at some point and will require a clean. In order to combat this problem, it is advised that you examine your evaporator coil at least once a year and clean if needed.   

The condenser coil is an element found on your outdoor unit, as expected this coil is vulnerable to dirt and debris as it is exposed to the outdoor elements. To prevent the condenser coil from becoming obstructed you should do your utmost to minimise the risk of contamination. This includes ensuring the outdoor unit is not within the vicinity of any foliage or shrubbery.   

Cleaning the coil fins

Both the evaporator and condenser coils contain aluminium fins. These fins are easily bent or damaged, it is worth checking for this whilst checking the health of your air conditioner’s coils.  

In order to effectively maintain these coil fins, you are able to purchase a device called a ‘fin comb,’ this device will ‘comb’ these fins back to their original shape. This device is purchasable from most air conditioning retailers.

When to hire a professional

There are certain scenarios that might require a professional cleaning. For instance, you might be considering hiring a professional simply because you want to avoid the risk of damaging your air conditioner, creating more harm than good, so to speak.  

Consulting an air conditioning expert can provide you with peace of mind. The team of engineers at Sub-Zero can provide the following expertise:

·       Test the unit for refrigerant leak

·       Seal any duct leakage (if operating a ducted system)

·       Examine the electric terminals, clean and tighten the connections

·       Check the refrigerant level

·       Test airflow via the evaporator coil

·       Verify the thermostat accuracy

·       Recommend any further servicing

Contact one of our skilled contractors today to discuss servicing your air conditioner.