You probably don’t think much about your air conditioner until you need it to keep your house cool and it fails to do so.
In fact, you might even say that you take it for granted. Air conditioning units can be expensive. It’s a good idea to prevent problems, so you don’t have to pay for repairs. You don’t have to be an expert to do some simple maintenance on your air conditioner. Here are some tips to help you keep it clean and working well.
Step 1: Turn it off and unplug it.
If you are going to be doing work on any type of electrical device or appliance, you need to make sure there is no electricity going to it. You don’t want to get electrocuted or short out the system and ruin your unit.
Step 2: Vacuum out the unit to remove any loose debris that may be inside.
You never know what kind of things can get sucked into the unit. You should remove leaves, dirt, dead bugs and pests, and more. You can use a handheld vacuum or a ShopVac to get the job done right.
Step 3: Remove the cover from the unit and use your water hose to spray it.
This will rinse out any dirt or debris that may have been stuck inside the unit. It also allows more air to flow through the unit, so it can cool your home more easily. Make sure you don’t use too much pressure, as this can actually harm the fins in the air conditioning system.
Step 4: If you notice that the fins on the unit are bent, you should push them back to help it work better.
You can use a firm brush or even your fingernails to push them back, so they are straight. This allows the air to flow through the machine better so it can work more easily
Step 5: On the inside of the unit, you will find the filters.
If you have washable and reusable filters, you should remove them and clean them. Allow them to dry thoroughly before putting them back in the unit. If your filters are not reusable, you will need to replace them. The filters help keep dirt and debris out of your unit and your home.
Step 6: Clean your coils out carefully.
If you are unable to remove the grime that is inside with just water, try using soap or a commercial cleaning solution. You can find products that are made specifically for cleaning out air conditioning units.
Step 7: Use a cover when your unit isn’t operating.
Once you turn it off and unplug for the season, you can put a cover over it to protect it from the elements. The cover also keeps out dirt, grime, leaves, bugs, and other debris. You can find covers at most home improvement stores or you can order them online.
When it comes to cleaning your air conditioning unit, it’s not an easy job. Nobody likes doing it, but cleaning it will help maintain it and keep it running well.
If you are able to keep your unit clean, you are less likely to have problems with it or have expensive repairs. The last thing you want to happen is for your air conditioner to go out in the middle of summer. Take a day and get it ready to work. Use these simple steps to get your air conditioner as clean as it was the day you bought it and you might find that it works like new, too.
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