How to Clean Your Air Conditioner

It might be a job that’s easy to put off, but cleaning your air conditioner is definitely worth doing. Not only will it prolong the life of your system, but it’s also likely to lower your bill as well. Systems that are clogged with dust – potentially leading to a mouldy ac – have to work harder to cool and direct air, meaning higher running costs to achieve the same effects.

Can I clean my air conditioning unit myself?

It’s definitely possible to clean your own air conditioning unit. Most systems should come with a set of instructions to show you how to clean your air con. Be sure to check and see whether there are any specific things you need to bear in mind when cleaning your unit or model.
Other general things to take note of; remember to turn your air conditioning system off at the wall before you begin any cleaning. Take a gentle approach and if you are not comfortable with the process, don’t be afraid to call in an HVAC professional to clean it for you.

How do I know when to clean my air conditioner?

We recommend that your air conditioner should be thoroughly cleaned every 12 months – with its filters being dusted and wiped clean every few weeks for optimal performance. 

Beyond these recommendations, there are several signs that your system may need cleaning. If it’s performing poorly, and struggling to heat or cool your home, it may be clogged up or have a backlog of dust. Other signs are unusual noises or smells being emitted from any of the vents, ducts or units. 

Cleaning different AC parts

Each system type will require different cleaning, depending on its parts and components, but generally applicable rules are to be gentle, be sure to clean the outside air conditioning unit, as well as the inside parts and, we can’t reinforce this enough, make sure the system -is off at the wall -before you start cleaning it. 

Cleaning the filters

How to clean the air conditioning filters will form one of the most important parts of the entire cleaning process. Once you’ve checked the instructions for how to specifically handle your system, we recommend a soft cloth, soap, warm water and a vacuum cleaner. 

Once you have removed the filters, clean them with warm water and a soft cloth. If the dirt is ingrained you can soak them in warm water, containing a little soap. 

Make sure that the water is not above 40 c to avoid any risk of shrinking them. When the filters are clean, let them dry off naturally, rather than using a heat source on them, as this could warp them. 

Before putting the filters back on, vacuum the inside elements of the system, and wipe them again with a soft rag to ensure you’ve removed all the dust. 

Cleaning the fan

If you are cleaning a split system, you will need to clean the rotary fan that pushes the cooled air into the room. Soak the fan’s blades in warm soapy water, then clean them using a soft brush or toothbrush to make sure you can get rid of any accumulated dirt. 

Be gentle so as not to damage the blades and, as with the filter, allow the fan to dry out naturally. Again, if you feel apprehensive about cleaning this part, consider asking a service technician to clean the entire system for you. 

Cleaning the radiator

Cleaning the radiator involves using either a long-handled brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from between the radiator plates. If cleaned regularly, this should be sufficient to remove all the dust and dirt. 

But if the dust has penetrated deeply, you may need to call in a technician. The radiator will be found at the bottom of the split system. 

Cleaning the outdoor unit

After ensuring it’s been turned off at the mains, assess the accessibility of the outdoor unit. If you can safely reach it, remove any debris or dust externally, before removing the top cover and vacuuming away any debris. 

Clean what is left with a soft brush, before wiping surfaces down with a soft, damp cloth. Make sure you don’t touch any of the electrical circuits of the unit and ensure your own safety at all times. 

Do not attempt to operate the air conditioning system again until all the component parts are dry and reassembled.  

Cleaning Checklist

When undertaking the cleaning of your air conditioning unit, there are a few simple things to bear in mind;

1. Make sure it’s turned off at the mains.
2. Check your unit’s instructions to see if there is anything specific you need to bear in mind.
3. Make sure any water you use to clean your units is warm, but not hot enough to warp any components.
4. Be extremely gentle.
5. Make sure everything dries naturally, rather than using a heat source on any part.
6. Don’t put the unit back together or attempt to use it until everything is dry.
7. If you’re apprehensive, book a technician to clean your system instead.

Mouritz has a team of qualified specialist HVAC technicians who would be happy to help.

Contact us today to book in a service or if you have any queries about your system and how it needs to be cleaned.