What maintenance should be done on AC unit?

The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters reduce the amount of airflow and significantly reduce a system’s efficiency.

How often do AC units need to be cleaned?





A general rule of thumb is to clean or replace the filters once a month during the usage season. If you only run the air conditioner occasionally, you might be able to push this to every two months, but it is better to just get in the habit of doing it on the first day each month.

What does it mean when your AC cuts off?

Poor airflow



If something blocks the flow of air, your AC needs to go into overdrive to make up for it, which could result in it overheating. And when your AC overheats, it shuts off to give the system a chance to cool down. Once cool, it turns back on again, and the vicious cycle of short cycling continues.

How long before I can turn on AC after coil cleaning?

about 30 to 60 minutes

Make sure the air conditioner is completely dry before attempting to use it. Wait about 30 to 60 minutes before turning on the AC after cleaning the coils.

Can I clean my air conditioner myself?





You can clean the exterior condenser as well as the accessible areas of the indoor evaporator. In just a few hours with no special tools, you can give your AC system the thorough cleaning it needs to work efficiently all cooling season.

How do I service my AC unit myself?

HVAC Maintenance – DIY (Tasks You Can Get Done Yourself)

  1. Step 1 – Power Off The Unit/Mains. …
  2. Step 2 – Clear debris and areas around the unit. …
  3. Step 3 – Clean And Straighten the Air Conditioner Fins. …
  4. Step 4 – Cleaning the Condenser Fan. …
  5. Step 5 – Cleaning Fins Inside Out. …
  6. Step 1 – Clean the Evaporator Coil.

Is cleaning AC coils worth it?

It’s important to keep the AC coils clean so that heat can exchange efficiently through the coils without being blocked by dirt and debris. A lack of routine maintenance on the coils can lead to higher energy bills and consumption or an overheating AC system.

How much does it cost to clean AC condenser?

It’ll cost anywhere from $100 to $400 to clean your AC coils as a standalone service. For highest system efficiency, get this done every year and up to once per month. Condenser coil cleaning, the one located outside your home, happens during your annual AC tuneup for $75 to $200.

Is it OK to spray water on your air conditioner while running?



The good news is that you absolutely can spray water on your air conditioner if it needs a cleaning, and nothing bad will happen. Spraying water on your AC’s condenser also helps it run more efficiently. In fact, your condenser needs a regular spritzing in order to keep doing a good job.

Can you vacuum air conditioner coils?

Use an up-and-down motion; vacuuming across the fins can bend them. Spray the outside of the fins with a coil cleaner or detergent/water mixture and wait 5 minutes. Using a garden sprayer, gently rinse off the coil cleaner with water. Avoid spraying the fan motor.

What happens if an air conditioner is not used for 3/4 years?

Most Air Conditioners Are Fine if They’re Not Used for 3-4 Months. In general, today’s durable air conditioners were built to last. Many are meant to run every day for months at a time and are expected to last for decades.

Can I use Simple Green to clean my AC evaporator coils?



Spray the coils down with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.



Let the Simple Green sit 10-15 minutes to penetrate heavier soils, and then hose it down again. After the coil cleaner has dripped off the coils, examine the coil surfaces for any areas that may need another application, and repeat this step as necessary.

Can I spray WD-40 on my AC unit?

Step 4. Next, spray a generous amount of WD-40 in the cooling fins of the A/C, going from left to right. Let the solution sit for 15-20 minutes. This cleaning agent will expertly go deep into the cooling fins, while any other cleaning solution would only clean them up from the outside.

Can you spray WD-40 on AC unit?

Do NOT use WD-40 or other all-purpose lubricants. 5. Spray the inside of the empty air conditioner unit with moderate pressure from a water hose.

How do you clean outside AC unit?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Check the fins on your condenser minor damage to these fins can be adjusted with a fin tool but major damage may require calling a professional clean the coils with an AC coil cleaner like this spray.

Is it necessary to clean AC unit outside?



Cleaning the air conditioner’s outside unit is just one of many tasks that need to be done to maintain your system’s energy efficiency.

How do I clean the outside AC coils?

Here’s the right way to clean an outdoor coil

  1. Turn off power to the unit. …
  2. Check the refrigerant pressure. …
  3. Remove the outer casing. …
  4. Rinse the coil down with water. …
  5. Spray the coil with cleaning chemicals. …
  6. Re-rinse the coil with water. …
  7. Remove all debris from inside the outdoor unit. …
  8. Check the refrigerant pressure again.


How do you clean an evaporator coil without removing it?

Use a compressed air canister. One of the best ways to get the dirt and other debris out is to use compressed air. Blow the air into the coil to loosen the dirt. If there’s stubborn dirt, though, you might need to put the nozzle close to the bottom of the debris, along its side.

What can I use to clean my AC condenser coils?



Check your air conditioner warranty before cleaning.

  1. Turn off the A/C and shut off power to the condensing unit.
  2. Remove outer case and caging. …
  3. Clear out debris and broken fins. …
  4. Spray out the unit. …
  5. Spray the coils down with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. …
  6. Rinse and dry your A/C.