Cleaning Your Central Air Conditioner

Air conditioning is a wonderful thing when you want to cool off. But if your central air conditioning system is dirty, it is not going to work efficiently. Not only will it have to work harder in order to keep your home cool, your electric bills will also be higher because the unit is working so hard. It is important that you take steps to prevent this from happening. All you have to do is clean your air conditioning system a couple of times each year. This is something that you can easily do yourself.

Turn the Power Off

Before you clean your air conditioner, make sure that all power running to the system has been shut off to avoid the hazard of electrical shocks while you are cleaning the air conditioner. The power should be turned off at your home's main circuit breaker.

Clean or Change Filters

The air filters keep dust and allergens out of the air in your home. But, they end up getting clogged, which makes it difficult for air to pass through. Depending on the type of filters in your system, it will be necessary to either clean or change the filters. You can get replacement filters at most hardware stores and home improvement centres. If it is a permanent filter, remove it from the unit and clean it with warm water and mild detergent. Allow it to dry before putting it back into place.

Clean the Blower Fan Blades

The blower fan blades will also accumulate a lot of dirt and will also need to be cleaned. Simply wipe them down with a damp cloth. Sweep up any dirt that falls off in the cleaning process so it isn't near the blades to get them dirty all over again.

Clean Up Around the Outdoor Condenser Unit

Make sure that there is nothing around the outdoor condenser unit that is going to block any airflow. Remove any dirt and debris from the area surrounding the unit, trim bushes that are near the unit, and pull up any weeds.

Clean the Coils

The final step of the cleaning process is to clean the coils. Spray them down with a hose to get rid of the majority of the dirt. Then use a brush with soft bristles to get rid of the stuck-on dirt, and vacuum any residue away. Now you can turn the power back on, and enjoy clean, cool air throughout your home.

For more information, contact a business such as DACS Air Conditioning & Electrical Services.


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