This video demonstrates how to clean an outdoor air conditioner unit at home using essential tools and cleaning products. To clean the unit effectively, gather a garden hose, a soft-bristled brush, and a fin comb (if needed). Regular cleaning of the exterior of the air conditioner unit improves efficiency, extends its lifespan, and reduces the risk of costly repairs. Prioritize safety when working with electronics and turn off the electricity when working with live electronics.
To clean the outside of the air conditioner, inspect the interior and exterior, remove debris with a brush attachment or vacuum, and spray it. Regular cleaning can improve airflow, extend its lifespan, and potentially lower energy bills. Turn off the AC unit, clear debris around the unit, remove the top of the condenser unit, remove debris inside the unit, brush away, and follow these easy DIY steps to maintain your condenser coils and clean your outdoor air conditioner unit.
Use a garden hose to gently rinse away debris from the sides, avoid using a pressure washer, and use a toothbrush to gently dislodge dirt and debris from the metal fins. Spray the entire unit with a hose, starting on one side and slowly going around it until all dirt is hosed off. Use a condenser coil cleaner and wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to soak in and bond with the dirt.
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Can I clean my own outside AC unit?
Before cleaning an outside AC unit, ensure the power is turned off and use a wet/dry vacuum to capture any debris. If the fins are bent, use a fin comb or a butter knife to straighten them back to their original position. Remove the AC filter and wash it with a strong spray from a garden hose if reusable. If the filter is made of fiber or cardboard, buy a new one. Remove the top access panel, which includes the vent openings, and carefully place it aside.
Inspect the condenser coils for dust, dirt, and debris, using a shop vac to vacuum away debris. Rinse the remaining debris with a garden hose, being careful not to damage or bend coils or fins. Clean fan blades with a wet rag and check fan vents for debris build-up. Replace the access panel, screw it back in place, and turn the power back on.
Cleaning an outside AC unit is not challenging, but the time and effort spent will be worth it for enhanced energy efficiency and comfort. If you prefer not to handle the project on your own, contact Aire Serv for assistance.
How do you self clean an air conditioner?
In a mere 21 minutes, the internal components of your AC unit can be thoroughly cleaned and dried, effectively restoring the unit to its original condition.
How do I clean my AC unit myself?
In order to rectify an issue with an air conditioning system, it is imperative to adhere to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The initial step is to unplug the AC. Then, the front cover should be removed and cleaned. The filter should also be removed and cleaned. The coils should then be cleaned. Once this process is complete, everything should be allowed to dry. Finally, the filter and front cover should be reattached.
How do you clean outside AC?
To clean an outdoor air conditioner, follow these steps:
Turn off the AC unit, remove debris around it, remove the top of the condenser unit, brush away remaining dust and dirt, spray coils with an AC coil cleaner, spray the unit with a hose, and replace the top.
Clean the air conditioner once a year, ideally in spring before summer heat arrives. In between deep cleans, homeowners should periodically clear away debris near the unit to prevent a large buildup of foliage, especially during the fall season.
In summary, proper cleaning and care of an outdoor air conditioner are crucial for its longevity and efficiency. Regular deep cleanings can prolong the life of the unit and prevent potential issues with debris buildup.
Is it OK to wash AC outdoor unit with water?
Air conditioning units can be safely cleaned with water, but if you’re nervous about cleaning while the system is running, switch off the system first. Central air conditioning systems consist of an inside unit with the evaporator coil and an outside unit with the condenser, compressor, and fan. The outdoor unit is recommended to be cleaned with water, while both units should be kept clean and dirt-free. Electricity and water don’t mix, but air conditioning systems are designed to handle water, making them suitable for cleaning.
Can you clean outside AC unit while running?
The maintenance of a standard HVAC system while it is operational presents a potential hazard to both the operator and the air conditioning unit. It is advisable to switch off the main breaker unless the individual in question is conversant with the requisite process.
Should outdoor AC unit be cleaned?
It is of the utmost importance to maintain a clean outdoor unit in order to ensure optimal performance of the air conditioner. It is recommended that the condenser unit be cleaned on a regular basis and that any objects, plants, or other materials within a two-foot radius be removed.
Is it OK to spray the AC with water?
Clean your air conditioner’s outside unit with water, as water and electrical appliances don’t mix. Spraying water on the air conditioner’s condenser can help it run more efficiently and maintain its performance. However, if you notice water dripping or issues after cleaning or spritzing, it’s likely a coincidence. If you need a professional to help, call Ambient Edge. They can help your AC run correctly again.
To clean your air conditioner, use a reliable old garden hose and set it to a hard stream. Run the water over the unit from top to bottom for a thorough cleaning. If you notice water dripping or issues after cleaning or spritzing, it’s a coincidence. Contact Ambient Edge anytime day or night to help your AC run correctly again.
How do I know if my AC needs cleaning?
The air conditioner coils are a crucial part of the AC system, absorbing heat and humidity in your home and releasing them outside. Dirty coils can lead to various issues, such as an unexplained increase in electricity bills, longer running units, decreased cooling performance, blocked or obstructed evaporator coils, and higher indoor humidity.
Dirty coils can cause the unit to work harder to cool the inside space, leading to higher energy bills and increased wear and tear on the unit. Additionally, dirty or blocked coils can trap heat, creating a traffic jam where the heat inside the home cannot move through the system to be released outside. This can result in a loss of heat transfer to the surrounding air and a complete loss of AC cooling.
When the coil is covered in frost while running, condensation may freeze on it, indicating that it needs to be cleaned. Failure to do so may result in a loss of heat transfer to the surrounding air and a complete loss of AC cooling.
Higher indoor humidity can also be a sign of dirty or blocked coils, as the evaporator coil reduces humidity inside the home. If the coil is blocked or dirty, this process is not efficient, causing the home to feel more humid than usual.
In conclusion, cleaning dirty AC coils can help restore efficiency and reduce the impact of these issues on your AC system.
How should I clean my outside AC unit?
The spray cleaner should be applied to the fins from within the apparatus, with the application of foam allowed to proceed for a period of 10 minutes. Thereafter, the hose should be employed to facilitate the transfer of the cleaner from the fins to the exterior.
Is it safe to spray your outside AC unit with water?
Clean your air conditioner’s outside unit with water, as water and electrical appliances don’t mix. Spraying water on the air conditioner’s condenser can help it run more efficiently and maintain its performance. However, if you notice water dripping or issues after cleaning or spritzing, it’s likely a coincidence. If you need a professional to help, call Ambient Edge. They can help your AC run correctly again.
To clean your air conditioner, use a reliable old garden hose and set it to a hard stream. Run the water over the unit from top to bottom for a thorough cleaning. If you notice water dripping or issues after cleaning or spritzing, it’s a coincidence. Contact Ambient Edge anytime day or night to help your AC run correctly again.
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Please let the customer know, To not use a power washer or a high pressure adapter for the water hose on the a/c unit= it will damage the Cole fins, they are aluminum and will bend. I have found that some units have had the fuse box bypass on the wires to the fuses because of the fuse has blown or it’s a old unit,so just turn off the breaker, you possibly have to reset your thermostat if it is programmed (check the battery).
Taking lid and sides off annually works very well. First vacuum the unit, Use very soft brush and i mean soft, protect the fins brush, then use garden hose, no high pressure at all. Low easy pressure like its the most delicate flower. Rinse inside and out. Dont forget to turn off your power source first!!! I have a condenser cover on for winter before leaves fall and a large rubber square mat on top so it does not bl9w off with winter winds. Keeping it cleaned each yr is a must. This year i noticed screws missing, purchased more so each hole had a screw. Noise drastically reduced. Not sure where them screws went over the winter, guessing on vacation with those missing socks.
Decent article, however agree with comments about shop vac inside 1st in addition, if you are removing top portion w/ fan, it would be best to remove the outer jacket for better access, if coil fins are really matted they could be reached much easier, easily vacuumed off 1st, for best results, & then sprayed with coil cleaner, 👍👍👍
Take off the louvered shroud to get the product on the condenser fins for a thorough cleaning. I have to do this 3 times from April to end of Oct. It’s on that much because of the heat & humidity. Plus all the horrendous pollen counts we have here. In 40 days, you can’t see the fins-completely clogged over.
Personally I’m very wary about using any harsh chemicals on my units. I do keep the area around them very clean and put a lid on the top spaced with soft cushions in the winter to keep debris from falling in. I’m very careful about doing anything that could scratch the paint and promote rust. If air flow is good and I can see light passing through the coils, I leave them alone. My old systems lasted 47 yrs. and would likely still be running if the previous owner had been more careful.
Please pay attention to the angle of the stream. Since it’s your coil that you’re trying to clean, consider aiming into the openings of the louvers rather than wasting your money cleaning the shell of the condenser. This guy is obviously a pro so he can get great results even when he does it wrongly but we’re just owners of these units so we have to do it rightly.
Very good article ! Thank You! My son just bought a home where the AC condenser is under some overhanging bushes. Will trim that all away but the interior is littered with muck. Even the fan blades have leaf debris stuck on them. The unit is very similar to the one in your article. Question is will I have trouble getting the top cover back on. I took one off a Carrier 3 ton unit some years back and had great difficulty getting it back on! Thanks!
This is so helpful, thanks for sharing! I’ve always paid $100 to an AC company but will definitely be trying this myself. Mine has a lot of leaves that fall inside it. The opening over the fan is pretty wide, could I install chicken wire underneath that opening to keep leaves out? Assuming the holes were big enough to allow for airflow?
We’re in a heat wave, and my ac isn’t cooling well. It needs cleaned, I imagine that’s the problem, but my garden hose hasn’t been working for a long time. Is there some way to clean it without a hose while I wait for parts to come in so I’m not hot in the meantime? Will a shop vac cause damage? Thanks!
You don’t need quail cleaner. You just need to clean from the inside out twice a year. And if you have cottonwood trees, just wash it from the outside and 45° so you’re not washing the cottonwood into the coil. Forget about the color cleaner it’s just a waste of money the only time you use that would be the evaporator coil, which is really hard to get to. Ticket for me with 45 years experience in HVAC.
Nice article man I wash my outside unit right before summer every year sometimes twice it depends.i normally only use water to wash it down but this year i got the foam cleaner while at home depot and glad i did when it was done the house was nice and cold 🥶👍 its important also to use a spray nozzle that is not on full blast or to strong of a force have it on a low cycle so you don’t damage the coils.good job your unit looked spotless,but you had me worried when you sprayed right at the wires not a good idea.thanks for your article
The very FIRST thing you should have mentioned is that if the unit is still under WARRANTY, that the homeowner WILL VOID the warranty if they “Open” the unit. Read the small print folks. I am an HVAC tech with 20 years experience and I have seen several warranties made VOID because the homeowner decided to save a few bucks. If you still have a warranty, DO NOT REMOVE ANY SCREWS or “OPEN” your unit. In the event that you cause damage such as an electrical short or a refrigerant leak, you WILL PAY OUT OF POCKET.
And air conditioning, HVAC gentleman that came to the job to fix the jobs air conditioning I said what if I cleaned it now doing the summer how long do I wait before I turn the unit back on to do it again after it’s cleaned? He told me to wait 10 minutes for myself just to be sure I probably would wait at least an hour. That’s just me do what you want of course
It’s amazing how many times people come out without a deal, complaining that the sharks didn’t see the value of their product, after the sharks made it very clear that the product is great, but the business has issues. They didn’t invest because they’re not confident they’ll see their money again. It has nothing to do with the product quality.
I have never understood why compressors are not placed on a riser. Yes heat pump compressors are mounted on risers, but why not every unit. Mounting on a riser would help eliminate sucking in ground level dirt, grass clippings and mulch dust that some people put around the units. Flushing from inside out flushes any dirt back out the way it came in. trying to flush from the outside only pushes the dirt in more.
The foam cleaner does not really work that good its to dry and fluffy you want to buy the liquid coil cleaner in the gallon sized container and then put it in a small pump up bug sprayer. That what an ac guy uses. The liquid cleaner will get deeper in the coils with the pressurized bug sprayer too. Btw your car has the same condenser. It sits in front of the radiator and it gets alot more dirty that the home condenser. Rinse the car condenser off with water then use the bug sprayer and let it sit for a while then rinse it. If any bugs are stuck in it use an old toothbrush to gently pull them out of the coils. Same thing with any wall banger ac unit stuck in the window. Also if you take the cover off like this guy does take advantage of that access and get the size of the start up capacitor. Its the round silver can bolted to the chassis. Buy one from ebay as its the most common failure part in an ac. Also here’s a tip that will slash alot of money off your ac bill. Watch your condenser during the day and see how much the sun is directly hitting it. Your condenser should be on the north side of the house. If its anywhere else its getting alot of sun. Sun directly hitting the condenser box is bad news it will heat the chassis and make it much harder for the compressor to work. Mine is on the north side but still getting hit quite a bit. I bought 2 nice wooden doors off Craigslist painted them and I just leaned them on the sides of the condenser to keep the sun off it.The ac got dramatically cooler.
HI, I will be becoming a new home-owner soon. My knowledge on home repairs is limited. To make sure i understand. Is this the unit that creates the air-conditioning to your HVAC system? Do i need to turn off the breakers/electric running to this unit before cleaning? (might be a silly question i know) Wouldn’t water damager the wires or tubing inside the unit? Or should i be buying that rubber coat?
I had a charge of Freon put on my 20 year old system last year, 2 months after I had it done my system quite working. It was late summer so I didn’t check it out until this spring. To my surprise a connection on my capacitor was fried. The only way that could happen is if the serviceman sabotaged my unit….
Using a Water Hose spraying water on live active voltage/current on the compressor and wiring can’t this cause an electrical damage or you have to turn off the A/C breaker at the fuse box panel? The condensers can get damaged from the hot temperatures from the sun, what can you do to prevent replacing the condenser each year because of the sun hot temperatures damaging the condensers in A/C condenser units? the A/C Condenser should have a start up capacitor which gets damaged often, any reasons why?
I sprayed out my unit for about 12 straight years, every Spring. Then the fan began to seize. Even aluminum oxidizes. Had a technician add a giant capacitor to help the fan start without tripping my circuit breaker, but then even that wasn’t enough. So had to fork out $1,200 for a new unit. I haven’t cleaned the new one since, but if I ever do, it’ll be with compressed air instead.
I think that’s totally idiotic…. Why don’t you remove the whole exterior cover THEN SPRAY THE COILS DIRECTLY THEN CLEAN THEM THOROUGHLY ???? Ahhhhh ? I mean I see screws on the corners of the unit. Just remove the screws & remove the cover, No ? I see your way as a LAZY way. But I’m not an air-conditioning service man.🫡
Hello, I’m an HVAC specialist in the trade with over 40 years of experience. In my humble opinion, I think you’re doing both the consumer AND the trade professionals a terrible and dangerous disservice. The work you are demonstrating should be performed by trained professionals ONLY. Not only because of the caustic properties of the various coil cleaners. Though they are basic (meaning not acidic), they can cause serious chemical burns and potential loss of/damage to eyesight – among other things. Also, an untrained consumer has no business opening ANY PART of the unit – FOR ANY REASON – there are no ‘user serviceable’ components in this system – short of the filter a gentle spray down with the garden hose periodically from the outside – WITHOUT DISASSEMBLY. I have to ask…. do you accept ANY liability if a consumer either gets hurt or damages their equipment as a result of attempting to perform – what should be – a task performed only by a trained technician? Just food for thought…..