How to clean air conditioner at home by yourself

It takes more than just controlling the temperature to keep your house cozy all year round; you also need to make sure the air you breathe is pure and healthy. To do this, you must perform routine maintenance on your air conditioner. Your air conditioning unit may become clogged with dust, debris, and other pollutants over time, which will reduce its efficiency and lower the quality of the air in your house. Thankfully, all you need is a few basic tools and a few easy steps to clean your air conditioner on your own.

Maintaining the efficiency of your air conditioner through routine cleaning also helps you and your family live in a healthier indoor environment. By efficiently removing allergens, pollutants, and other dangerous airborne particles from the air, a clean air conditioning unit can lower the chance of respiratory problems and increase comfort levels. Furthermore, regular maintenance can increase the lifespan of your air conditioner, ultimately saving you money on replacement and repair costs.

It’s important to comprehend the various parts of your air conditioner and how they function together to cool and purify the air before beginning the cleaning process. An outdoor condenser coil, an indoor evaporator coil, a fan, filters, and a drainage system make up the majority of AC units. Maintaining the cleanliness of these components is essential for achieving peak performance as they are all vital to the operation of your air conditioner.

Safety ought to always come first when it comes to cleaning your air conditioner. To reduce the chance of electrical shock, make sure you turn off the power to your air conditioning unit before beginning any maintenance procedures. Wearing gloves and safety glasses is also a good idea, particularly if you’ll be handling sharp objects or cleaning solutions. You can make sure the cleaning procedure is successful and safe by following these safety measures.

In what cases it is necessary to clean the internal and external unit of the air conditioner

The cases listed below need to be cleaned right away:

1. The air conditioner has started to consume more electricity.
2. The climate system has started to work worse or its power has decreased.
3. When you turn on the air conditioner to electricity there is a characteristic crackling or loud noise. In this case, you should check the unit"s turbines or filters for clogging.
4. During operation of the equipment, condensate leakage appeared from its external unit.
5. Unpleasant and pungent odor that appears instantly after turning on the air conditioner. This is a warning that there is a problem with the drainage system or evaporator grille.
6. Appearance of gurgling or popping sounds, which indicate that the drainage has become worse or the cooling system is losing refrigerant.
7. The external unit emits characteristic knocking, it means that it"s time to clean its case from clogging. The fan blades no longer scroll or cling to another object.

With proper maintenance, an air conditioner can last for its whole operating life—roughly 11 years—without needing any repairs.

If the air conditioner is properly maintained, it will function flawlessly for the entire 11-year operating lifespan without needing any repairs.

Maintaining a clean air conditioner is crucial for optimal performance and healthier indoor air quality. By regularly cleaning your air conditioner at home, you can enhance its efficiency and extend its lifespan. Start by turning off the power to the unit to ensure safety. Then, remove and clean the filter, either by vacuuming or washing it with soap and water. Next, use a soft brush or cloth to gently wipe down the coils and fins to remove dirt and debris. Additionally, ensure that the condensate drain is clear of any blockages by flushing it with a mixture of water and bleach. Finally, don"t forget to trim back any vegetation around the unit and keep the area around it clean to promote proper airflow. Regular maintenance of your air conditioner will not only keep it running smoothly but also contribute to a healthier indoor environment for you and your family.

How to clean air conditioner at home by yourself: step-by-step instructions for different components

Decide what kind of work needs to be done before you begin cleaning your air conditioner. Cleaning of the fan, heat exchanger, filters, and drainage are all done separately.

The outside unit also needs to be cleaned, but it is best to hire a professional to do this task. Working at high altitudes is risky and calls for specialized tools and knowledge.

You will need the following tools to clean the equipment independently:

• vacuum cleaner;
• soft cloths;
• a small brush (not very wide and with a medium nap);
• toothbrush;
• detergent;
• soap;
• a container with warm water.

There are multiple steps involved in performing additional independent cleaning on the equipment.

Cleaning filters

Everyone can handle this process because it is simple to clean the filters; all that is required is to follow this order:

Open the cover on the upper panel.

Lift the top panel’s lid.

The air conditioner filters being removed

Cleaner for changing the filters in air conditioners

There are multiple cleaning stages for the air conditioner.

How to clean the heat exchanger

The process of cleaning the heat exchanger is important because it has an impact on the room’s heating and cooling quality.

To begin with, open the internal unit in the device.

It is crucial to clean the air conditioner’s unclean heat exchanger as well.

The heat exchanger grille is removed.

It is preferable to use a gentle brush to clean the heat exchanger.

Using a cloth, clean the heat exchanger grate.

Cleaning of the heat exchanger with an antiseptic

How the external unit is cleaned

Even though it gets dirtier much less frequently than the internal unit, the device’s external unit still needs to be cleaned constantly; dusting should be done once every six months.

Sanitizing the external appliance

During the process, a soft brush and a strong vacuum cleaner are used to remove all of the dust from the heat exchange radiator and external filters:

Remove any debris. The brush is for coarse debris and the vacuum cleaner is for fine debris.

Clean the outside appliance with running water.

With a gentle brush and water, the device is cleaned.

Use a compressor if the outdoor unit is close enough for maintenance. By inserting a hose with a connector into the body, the valve can be opened. You can clean the area outside the air conditioner grille by doing this.

How to clean a fan

You must open the lid in order to view the fan’s blades because it is located inside the appliance. The accumulation of dust on the fan hinders its proper operation. Plaque can be removed in this manner:

Turn on the appliance and operate it for a while in any mode.

After letting the air conditioner run for a while, disconnect the plug and turn it on.

Take off the fan cover to reveal the indoor unit’s fan.

The indoor unit’s fan is cleaned using a brush and water.

To protect the blades, the fan cleaning process needs to be carried out thoroughly and with caution.

To prevent damaging the components, dust should be removed from the fan slowly and carefully.

Cleaning the drainage

The unit’s drainage system has been treated with an antibacterial solution. All of the units’ maintenance is part of this procedure. Using a steam generator will enable you to complete this process much more quickly.

First, it is necessary to find the entrance to the drainage system of the air conditioner.

The air conditioner’s drainage system entry is located on the side beneath the cover.

Steam is used to help clean the drainage system.

Using a sprayer, one can perform the drainage outlet tube flushing process.

Tips and recommendations for operating and cleaning the unit

The unit’s casing, drainage system, and filters need to be cleaned on a regular basis. This should be carried out in accordance with the appliance’s intended use and climate:

It is necessary to clean the outside of the split-system, which is up to the 4th floor, every 3 months;

Cleaning of the air conditioner’s external unit

Steam cleaning can be done on a regular basis to disinfect internal filters.

A steam generator can be used to clean the internal unit.

The equipment’s drainage system is cleaned as needed. Wet spots provide a visual indicator of system channel contamination.

The right use of the air conditioner extends its service life in addition to proper installation and model selection. By following basic guidelines, you can extend the equipment’s working life.

1. There should be no draughts in the room where the conditioner stands. Close the doors and windows to maintain the necessary temperature, otherwise the equipment will work in an enhanced mode, so the load on the compressor and fan will increase.
2. Do not turn on the conditioner for maximum blowing and minimum temperature mode without necessity, because at constant high power of the technique operation internal parts will wear out faster.
3. The air conditioner should work at the allowed temperature outside: inverter models – from -5 to -10 degrees, equipment with "winter kit" up to -20 degrees, basic models – from 0 to -5 ° C.
4. Service should be carried out constantly. At intensive operation twice a year, at moderate operation – once a year. Specialized firms will charge relatively inexpensive for such service, but it increases the probability of preventing serious repairs in the future.
5. The indoor unit of the system should not be under the direct influence of sunlight.
6. After prolonged downtime, the air conditioner is switched to ventilation mode to run the entire system. This way you will remove accumulated condensation and eliminate unpleasant odor.
7. The air flow coming from the air conditioner should not have any obstacles in its way.
8. The external unit should be protected from the effects of precipitation. For example, make a canopy that will prevent snow and rain from getting on the unit. It is also possible to install an anti-vandal grate.
9. Clean the air conditioner filters once a quarter, dry them and put them back in place.

It is feasible to reduce pollution from the process in addition to extending the life of the air conditioner. And follow these guidelines in order to achieve this:

• Periodically ventilate the room while using the equipment;
• Do not put foreign objects on the air conditioner and its internal unit;
• Water containers and flowers should also not be placed on the equipment;
• Do not touch the equipment with wet hands;
• Do not let animals sit on it.

Step	Description
1	Turn off the power to the air conditioner to avoid any accidents.
2	Remove the filter from the unit. This is usually located behind the front panel.
3	Use a vacuum cleaner or wash the filter with warm, soapy water to remove dirt and dust.
4	Wipe down the exterior of the unit with a damp cloth to remove any buildup of dust or debris.
5	Inspect the evaporator coils for any signs of dirt or mold. If necessary, use a soft brush or vacuum attachment to gently clean them.
6	Check the condensate drain line for clogs and clear them if needed. This will ensure proper drainage and prevent water damage.
7	Allow all parts to dry completely before reassembling the unit and turning the power back on.

Maintaining the efficiency of your home air conditioner and ensuring clean, healthy air in your living area both depend on regular cleaning. You can enhance the performance and extend the life of your air conditioning unit by carefully cleaning it using a few easy steps.

Maintaining your air conditioner on a regular basis helps avoid the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew, which can lower indoor air quality and aggravate respiratory issues. You can make the air you and your family breathe healthier by having your air conditioning unit cleaned on a regular basis.

Cleaning your air conditioner not only enhances the quality of the air inside your home, but it also helps cut down on energy use and utility costs. An unclean air conditioning unit must work harder to cool your house, which increases energy consumption and expenses. You can maximize your air conditioner’s efficiency and reduce your energy costs by keeping it clean.

In order to maintain your air conditioner operating efficiently all year long, don’t forget to schedule routine maintenance. Hire a qualified HVAC specialist for a more in-depth inspection and tune-up in addition to cleaning the unit yourself. You can prolong the life of your air conditioner and have comfortable indoor temperatures all year round by making the necessary maintenance investments.

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