Cleaning air conditioner coils inside the house is necessary for good indoor air quality. In addition, having clean coils ensures that your AC works efficiently, offering the desired temperature levels in your house.
When the coils become too dirty, they start getting overworked and this can cause damage to your AC unit. This is something you don’t want to experience, especially during the scorching summer months.
So, do you know how to clean air conditioner coils? If you’ve never done it, there’s no need to worry. The process is quite simple and you might not even need to hire a technician. Follow the following steps and you’ll be good to go.
How to clean air conditioner coils inside house: Step-by-step guide
Locate the air conditioner coils
The first step is to locate the air conditioner coils. And, this will depend on your AC model. Mostly, the coils are visible from the outside. They might be shielded by a mesh or a wire, but you can see them when you look inside.
In other cases, you might be required to remove the panel or mesh concealing the coils to access them. If you are not sure about the location of the coils, you can read the manufacturer manual to learn more. Even if you don’t have much knowledge about the AC, locating the coils should not be difficult.
Turn off the unit and wear the right gear
Safety is very important before you start cleaning your AC. It is advisable to make sure that your unit is turned off so that you can avoid any accidents caused by moving parts. After turning off the unit, you also need to wear the right gear for cleaning.
You can start by wearing gloves, a mask, goggles, and a dust coat to protect your clothes. During the cleaning process, the AC will release a lot of debris that might get into your eyes or respiratory system if you don’t protect yourself.
Determine the right cleaning method
There are a variety of methods for cleaning air conditioner coils depending on the AC model and the tools available to you. Here are some methods you can use to clean your AC coils:
Using a shop vacuum
Using a shop vacuum is among the easiest ways to clean your AC.
When using a shop vac, you blow air into the coils to remove dirt and dust that is stuck. However, you should always wear goggles and a mask because dirt and dust will be blown in different directions.
Also, when using the shop vac method to clean your AC coils, make sure that you do it in an open and well-ventilated area.
Using a brush and piece of cloth
This is the most common way to clean your air conditioning unit. For this method of cleaning, you need to completely open the AC unit to have access to the coils for easy cleaning. A soft brush and a cloth will help to remove dirt stuck on the coils.
While the process might take time, it is definitely worth the effort. Start by brushing the coils and later use a cloth to remove dirt that could not be removed by the brush. This method is best for dirt that has been stuck on the coils for a long time.
Using a home cleaning agent
You can use a home cleaning solution to clean your AC coils. It is advisable to use dish soap because it is mild and will not corrode the coils. Put some soap and water in a spray bottle and then spray the coils.
Give it some time for the dirt to loosen and then wipe off the dirt. This is a simple but effective way to get rid of all the dirt.
Using commercial coil cleaners
There are commercial AC coil cleaners available on the market. They are quite effective in loosening the dirt from the coils.
These commercial cleaners come with instructions that you need to follow to make the cleaning process easier. Fortunately, using commercial cleaners is effective and does not cause any damage to the AC coils or the unit.
Technician cleaning
There are some cases when you likely need to call a technician to help you with coil cleaning. For instance, if your coils are heavily soiled and it has been a long time since you last cleaned them, you might need the help of a technician.
Also, it is advisable to call a technician if you are unable to access the coils due to the design of your AC. The technician will help you to open up the unit for proper cleaning.
For professional AC coil cleaning, Direct AC technicians will provide you with fast and reliable service you can count on every time. With just one phone call, all your AC cleaning issues will be sorted.
Is cleaning air conditioner coils necessary?
Cleaning air conditioner coils is necessary and should be done at least three times a year. The frequency will depend on your home usage and also the environment.
Here are some reasons why you should learn how to clean an air conditioning coil and why you need to do it frequently:
Enhances AC efficiency
Regularly cleaning and maintenance of your air conditioning unit can increase its efficiency. The coils help with the cooling process, and when they are clogged with dirt, it becomes difficult for the AC unit to work correctly. If you want to increase efficiency, start by cleaning the coils.
Improves air quality
Inhaling good quality air is very important to avoid respiratory diseases and other health issues. When the coils are clogged with dirt and dust, they release dirty air into the environment.
Cleaning the coils will improve the quality of air and will help to avoid respiratory problems associated with dirty air.
Increases longevity
The lifespan of your air conditioning unit is important since buying a new AC is never a cheap affair. Your goal as a homeowner should be to ensure the longevity of your current AC.
Cleaning the coils will make your AC last for a long time because you will have increased efficiency. The average lifespan of most of the air conditioning units is around 10 years, so the goal should be to go for many years without replacement.
