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 air conditioner – have to work harder to cool and direct air, meaning higher running costs to achieve the same effects.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
When undertaking the cleaning of your air conditioning unit, there are a few simple things to bear in mind;
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.
Matt Mouritz · Director
Matt is a director at Mouritz, a Perth based air conditioning and solar specialist. He shares straightforward advice on choosing, running and looking after cooling, heating and solar systems, with a focus on what actually works for Perth homes and our local climate. When he is not writing, he is helping customers find the right setup for their home and budget.
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