Incorrect cleaning and maintenance of your air conditioning unit can be costly and can lead to the need for professional repair. In this article we provide our top tips on how to clean and maintain your air conditioner. Looking after your equipment will make sure that the air circulated is clean, your unit continues to run efficiently and can help to prolong the life of your air conditioner.
Turn the power off before cleaning your unit
Before you attempt to clean your unit, you must remember to turn the power supply off. This is a critical healthy and safety measure. If you can’t find where to turn your air conditioning off on the unit, use the breaker box to turn off the power supply.
Regularly change your air filters
Best practice is to change your air filter every 4 to 10 weeks, especially if you have the unit running regularly. Clean air filters mean clearer air and a more efficient air conditioning unit. Air filters are the most common reasons why an AC unit may not be operating at its best. The filters can get clogged which makes it hard for air to be circulated in and out of the unit.
Clean your air conditioning coils
Air conditioning coils help the unit to run at optimum efficiency. When the coil gets dirty, it is unable to transfer heat effectively can leads to overheating. Remove dirt with a gentle brush or cloth. If build-up remains, spray the coils with a spray bottle filled with soapy water and try again with the brush or cloth before leaving to dry. Do not use too much soap as this causes too many suds which can lead to faster build-up.
Getting rid of mould
Regular checks need to be done to ensure a build-up of mould isn’t occurring. If there is a build-up of mould and it doesn’t appear to be much, you can clean it yourself with one part bleach to 10 parts water. Spray using a spray bottle and use a gentle cloth to clean and leave to dry until the mould has gone. If there is a significant amount of build-up in your unit, please call one of our friendly experts who can assist with a more in-depth clean including pumps and pipes. If the amount of mould that has built up becomes dangerous, our engineers will recommend installing a new unit to ensure that clean air is not being contaminated and putting health at risk.
Maintenance tips
Carry out regular checks
Make sure you regularly check your unit and vents to ensure they are clean, have no blockages and are in good working order. Regular checks can prevent issues from going undiagnosed and getting progressively worse over time. Issues can be quick and simple to fix if caught early.
Don’t forget about the outside
Often people forget about the outdoor element of their unit. The outdoor condenser is the part exposed to the outdoors and it can accumulate dirt and debris such as grass, insects and dust. The outdoor part is very easy to clean with a hosepipe. Please remember to turn off the power on the air conditioner before you do it.
Watch out for obstructions
In order to work effectively, air conditioning units need airflow. Make sure that you don’t have furniture or other items blocking air vents. Blocking air flow can cause faults with the unit and impact performance.
