AC Cleaning: How to clean your AC at home?

Cleaning your AC at home can be a challenging task. But with the right tips and tricks, you can make it much easier. We’ll discuss how to clean AC at home with simple methods. With these tips, you’ll be able to maintain your AC’s performance and prolong its life.

Over time, dust, dirt, and other debris can build up in the system, reducing its efficiency and leading to higher energy bills. Cleaning your air conditioning unit is vital to keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient. Fortunately, with a few simple steps, you can easily clean your AC unit at home.  Read on to learn how.

See also: Your guide to effective chimney cleaning

 

AC cleaning: The basic steps

Cleaning an AC at home is a simple and effective way to maintain your unit and improve its efficiency. To ensure that the job is done correctly and thoroughly, here are the basic steps for cleaning your AC unit at home:

1. Turn off the power supply: Before you begin cleaning, ensure the power supply is turned off. This will prevent accidental electric shocks and ensure the cleaning process is as safe as possible.
2. Remove the filter: Take the AC filter from its slot and set it aside for later. Make sure to inspect it for any damage and take note of any clogs or dirt build-up.
3. Vacuum the unit’s interior: Use a vacuum cleaner with an appropriate nozzle attachment to suck up any dirt, dust, or debris from inside the AC unit. Pay close attention to the fan blades, coils, and other AC unit components to ensure thorough cleaning.
4. Clean the filter: Once you have removed the filter, use a cloth and some warm soapy water to clean it. Scrub any dirt or debris built up and rinse it thoroughly before replacing it in the AC unit.
5. Reassemble and switch on: Once the cleaning is done, reassemble the unit and switch it on. Your AC should be working properly now.

 

AC cleaning: How to clean an outdoor split AC at home?

1. The small, ductless design of split air conditioners makes them a popular type of cooling system. Unlike the indoor unit, which looks like a long rectangle on your home’s wall, the outdoor unit resembles a giant metal container. A reliable air conditioner depends on its internal components. Regularly inspecting and cleaning your split AC is therefore imperative.
2. Turn off the power before removing the sheet metal screws. As soon as you remove the fan unit and grille, lift them and lean them against the wall. Many units have enough cable slack to do this without disconnecting any wires.
3. There will be a different amount of trash at the bottom of each air conditioner. A base pan can even contain leaves or tiny twigs because entry-level versions lack guards to prevent debris from entering the fan unit.
4. Using your vacuum cleaner can help you remove debris either manually or automatically.
5. The AC coils and fins need to be cleaned now. You can find coil cleaning solutions in home improvement stores. It should be noted that condenser coil cleaning can cause burns due to its highly acidic nature. As a result of the hazardous vapours, this cleaning should not be used on your coils or interior coils.
6. Using your pump sprayer, add your cleaning solution after mixing or diluting it as recommended. The coils should be sprayed with it.

 

AC cleaning: How to clean an indoor split AC at home?

1. During the actual cleaning process, the air conditioner must be dried if it is currently being used. To dry the moisture, set the air conditioner to ‘Fan Mode’ and let it run for 30-40 minutes.
2. As soon as you unplug your air conditioner from the power supply, you can begin disassembling it for cleaning
3. Remove the bacteria filters after detaching the air filters.
4. Once the air filters have been removed, dust them and wash them with mild soap. Now rinse them with cold water to remove any remaining dirt and grime. Using a sponge or cleaning pad, gently rub the filters to remove any remaining dust.
5. Let’s now talk about the cooling fins, which are exposed after the air filters have been removed and look like a series of metal bars. An air blower can be used to remove dirt from cooling fins.
6. After that, use an antifungal spray to sanitise the coils and fins where toxins are most likely to develop.
7. If there is moisture inside the air conditioner, wipe it with a dry towel before replacing the air and bacteria filters.
8. Remove the AC drain pipe from the outdoor unit and the interior unit using a pressure nozzle and water or cleaner to dislodge the AC tubing. It is recommended that the drain line be allowed to air dry for two hours before reconnecting the pipe and turning on the air conditioning.
9. Make sure the AC unit is working properly by starting the power supply.

 

AC cleaning: How to clean central AC at home?

• To clean a central AC unit at home, first turn off the power supply and vacuum the compressor unit.

• Change the inner air filter and clean the condenser fins with a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Straighten any bent fins with a knife or cooking tool.

• Remove the wire on top of the fan and unscrew and remove the fan.

• Rinse debris from the fan blades with a garden hose or wipe clean with a cloth.

• Reassemble the unit and turn the power supply back on.

• Clean the inner unit using the same steps as a split AC.

• Keep in mind that cleaning the AC unit takes time and may require specific instruments and dexterity.

• Consider hiring a professional if the unit is very dirty.

 

AC cleaning: How to clean AC filters at home?

To clean an AC filter at home, follow these steps:

• Locate the filter: The filter is typically located in the return air duct or the blower compartment of the air conditioning unit.

• Turn off the power: Before cleaning the filter, make sure to turn off the power supply to the AC unit to avoid injury.

• Remove the filter: Carefully remove the filter from its housing.

• Check for dirt and debris: Inspect the filter for any dirt, dust, or debris that may have accumulated on its surface.

• Clean the filter: Use a brush or vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt or debris from the filter. For filters that are heavily soiled, you can wash them with mild detergent and warm water. Rinse the filter thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before reinstalling it.

• Replace the filter: Once the filter is dry, reinstall it into the housing. Make sure it is properly secured in place.

• Turn the power back on: Once the filter is reinstalled, turn the power supply back on to the AC unit.

It’s recommended to check and clean your AC filter at least once a month to ensure optimal performance and efficiency of your air conditioning unit.

 

FAQs

What can I do to keep my air conditioner clean at home?

ACs should be cleaned from the outside as well as the inside, but you must also understand how they work internally and externally.

When should I clean my air conditioner?

The most effective time to clean is around the arrival of the hot season. But cleaning every month would yield better results.

Is it necessary to flush my AC system?

In the form of debris attached to the elements, dirt and impurities can collect and accumulate within the air conditioner's internal parts. You should flush the AC system to prevent this from happening.

When cleaning the AC myself at home, what should I keep in mind?

Having all the protective equipment, using the right chemicals, and stopping the power supply are some of the basic guidelines to follow.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com