The importance of having the outdoor unit cleaned as a part of regular care and maintenance for your air conditioner unit is not something most homeowners realize. The outdoor unit easily collects dirt and debris on the surfaces, especially on the cooling fins. When the outdoor unit is overburdened with grass clippings, dust, leaves, and dirt, the unit’s performance suffers which can result in operating cost inflation, a rise in energy usage, a reduction in the effectiveness and acceleration of wear and tear. The compressor and condenser are located inside the outdoor heat pump unit. The condenser fins are a primary element to help the system dissipate heat more efficiently. After the heat is removed from the indoor air through the refrigeration cycle, the hot refrigerant gets sent to the outdoor unit. The condenser fan will assist in blowing air over the outdoor coils in order to release heat energy to the outside air. Should the airflow become impeded because the outdoor unit is clogged, the refrigerant takes longer to be released. Today, we at NY NJ AC Connection would like to share how you can clean the outdoor unit in an effort to help your air conditioning work more effectively.
Why is a Dirty Air Conditioner Bad?
When the unit is over-encumbered with grit and grime, the air conditioner only takes longer to cool down the home while wasting energy and money. The air conditioner could overheat and breakdown, particularly on hotter days. Professional maintenance is essential for your air conditioning system, which reduces the likelihood of breakdowns as well as managing the performance and energy usage. You should have it cleaned in between maintenance services, though the technicians clean the outdoor unit as part of maintenance services. Make sure to hire a professional for a cleaning or do it yourself. The DIY method to clean your outdoor A/C unit is below.
How Do You Clean the Inside & Outside of an AC Condenser?
With the soft-brush upholstery attachment and vacuum, A/C coil cleaner (your manual will help), eye protection, gloves, pants and long sleeve shirts, and a garden hose equipped with pressurized nozzle attachment. Outdoor unit steps for cleaning:
1) Found in the metal box on the outside of the unit is the electrical disconnect, which is commonly on the exterior wall will need to be shut off. Make certain the thermostat is set in the “off” position.
2) Making certain it is switched off, as we as possibly cutting the power with a pullout switch or a circuit breaker shutoff when you open the electrical disconnect. Pullout the plug and/or setting it to the “off” position.
3) Eliminate the bulky debris as you wear protective gloves.
4) Carefully remove the debris from the condenser fins being careful to not bend the fin using the vacuum hose and the soft-brush attachment.
5) Afterwards, by using the water hose and pressure attachment, remove the residues from the exterior.
6) According to the directions, administer the coil cleaner.
7) Allow the cleaner to foam and bond with the dirt on the coils usually it takes 10-15 minutes.
8) With your garden hose, rinse the coils well.
Central Air Conditioning Maintenance, Repair, Replacement & More in Manhattan, New York
Ideally at the start of spring and at the end of summer, the exterior unit should be cleaned twice a year. The outdoor unit needs a good cleaning, no matter if you do the job yourself or hire a professional. Call the qualified experts of NY NJ A/C Connection and let us do the rest for air conditioning cleaning and/or maintenance services.
