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Beat the Heat: DIY A/C Unit Cleaning Guide to Save Money and Stay Cool

Learn How Regular A/C Maintenance Can Help You Avoid Costly Repairs and Improve Air Quality in Your Home

By Mallory CallPublished about a year ago 4 min read
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Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/classicallyprinted-1302233/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2361907">Classically Printed</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2361907">Pixabay</a>

Air conditioners are crucial for keeping our homes cool and pleasant as the summer heat builds. However, a poorly maintained A/C unit can result in higher energy costs, poor air quality, and expensive repairs. Cleaning your air conditioner is an easy and affordable approach to avoiding these problems and maintaining a cool, comfortable home all summer long. In this post, we'll walk you through the process of cleaning your air conditioner step by step and emphasize the significance of air conditioner maintenance.

Tools You'll Need:

You'll need to grab a few tools before beginning. Most hardware stores have these widely available, reasonably priced tools. You'll need the following equipment to clean your air conditioner:

1. A screwdriver

2. A stiff-bristled brush

3. A garden hose.

4. A fin combs.

5. A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment

6. A cleaning solution (optional)

To get access to the tool kit, click here!

Step 1: Turn Off the Power

It's imperative to turn off the power before cleaning your air conditioner. This is for safety reasons since working on an air conditioner while it is running risks electrical shock or other harm. Find and shut off the circuit breaker that regulates your air conditioning system. You can turn off your home's main power switch if you are unsure of which breaker manages your A/C equipment.

Step 2: Remove Debris

The first step in cleaning your air conditioner is to clear the area around it of any dirt that has gathered. This may consist of dirt, twigs, leaves, and other detritus. Sweep any dirt from the area surrounding the air conditioner with a stiff-bristled brush. To protect yourself from any sharp things that might be concealed in the rubble, make sure to wear gloves and long sleeves.

Step 3: Clean the Fins

Your air conditioner's fins oversee releasing heat from the refrigerant inside. Your air conditioner's effectiveness may decline if the fins are clogged with grit, dust, and other debris over time. Remove the protective grille that covers the fins to clean them. Typically, you can accomplish this by unscrewing a few screws or clips.

After the grille has been taken off, gently straighten any bent fins with a fin comb. Use a fin comb that is made for the fin spacing of your A/C unit only. Further harm to the fins might result from using a fin comb that is either too thin or too large.

Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to get rid of any dirt, dust, or debris that might have gotten lodged between the fins after you've straightened them out. You can use a cleaning solution to assist in clearing the dirt off the fins if they are very dirty. When using a cleaning solution, be sure to adhere to the manufacturer's directions.

To get access to the tool kit, click here!

Step 4: Clean the Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil, which is within your house, oversees absorbing heat from the air there. Your air conditioner's effectiveness may decline because the coil becomes soiled and blocked with dirt, dust, and other debris over time. Locate the access panel on your air conditioning machine before cleaning the evaporator coil.

Take off the access panel, then scrub the coil carefully with a soft brush. The coil's fragile fins should not be harmed. If any dirt, dust, or debris remains after cleaning the coil, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to get rid of it.

Step 5: Clean or Replace the Air Filter

Before the air enters your home, dirt, dust, and other particles are captured by the air filter in your air conditioner. Your A/C unit's airflow and efficiency may suffer because of the air filter clogging up over time. To preserve the effectiveness of your air conditioner, it's crucial to clean or change your air filter regularly.

Remove the air filter from the air conditioner before cleaning it. If the filter is washable, thoroughly rinse it in water. Replace the filter with a fresh one if it is a disposable one. Ensure that you clean or replace the air filter by the manufacturer's instructions.

To get access to the tool kit, click here!

The Importance of A/C Maintenance:

For your air conditioner to continue functioning effectively and efficiently, routine maintenance is necessary. Increased energy costs, poor air quality, and expensive repairs might result from a poorly maintained air conditioner. Here are a few justifications for why AC maintenance is crucial:

1. Increased Efficiency: A/C units that are clean and well-maintained operate more effectively, resulting in lower energy costs and a longer unit lifespan.

2. Better Air Quality: Poor air quality in your home can result from a dirty air conditioner, which can cause respiratory troubles as well as other health problems. Your home's air quality can be enhanced with routine maintenance, which can also stop these problems.

3. Cost Savings: Preventing expensive repairs and extending the life of your air conditioner with routine maintenance will ultimately save you money.

To get access to the tool kit, click here!

4. Comfort: A well-maintained air conditioner will keep your home cool and pleasant during the summer, providing you and your family with a comfortable living space.

In conclusion, cleaning your air conditioner is a quick and affordable way to keep it running efficiently and avoid expensive repairs. You can simply clean and maintain your air conditioning machine at home with a few simple tools and some basic knowledge. To maintain your air conditioning system functioning successfully and efficiently and to provide you and your family with a comfortable and healthy living space, regular maintenance is necessary. So, spend some time this summer maintaining and cleaning your A/C system to enjoy a cool and cozy home all season long.

To get access to the tool kit, click here!

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Mallory Call

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