HVACs are one of the largest consumers of energy in households, offices, and schools. It is therefore imperative that you regularly clean the condenser unit of your air conditioner. Without regular maintenance, the performance of your aircon will continuously decline and energy consumption will skyrocket. To prevent these, read this article on how to clean an aircon condenser.
Tools and Equipment to Prepare
Prepare all the needed tools and equipment below as they will help you do the cleaning fast.
- Flathead screwdriver
- Ratchet set
- Mallet
- Multimeter
First and foremost, perform a safety check. When you clean any electronic fixture, safety should be your primary consideration. There are two potential hazards of the condensing unit, including electric shock and dangers of spinning fan blades. Thus, switch the unit off first before you take any step below on how to clean your air conditioner condenser.
There is a switch box located outside your home for the outdoor AC unit. You will also find a power source for the indoor unit’s blower. You may instead switch off the circuit breaker supplying power to your aircon or switch off the main panel.
Look at the voltage on your unit using a multimeter to make sure that it is switched off. Clear the area around your condenser unit so that you can comfortably work.
Step 1
The first step on how to clean a window AC unit condenser is disassembling the outdoor unit by removing the metal casing. The casing is attached to the condenser by multiple screws. Remove all of these screws using a screwdriver and take out the metal casing.
Step 2
It’s time to clean the fan and condenser coil. First, remove the screws from the grille on top. The grille will come off with the fan attached to it. Use a damp cloth and condenser coil cleaner to wipe this fan clean. If you see lubrication ports, add 5 drops of electric motor oil. Using a soft-bristled brush, start cleaning the condenser coil and hose it down. Do not use pressurized water for this step.
Step 3
After cleaning the fan and condenser coil, clean the rest of the outdoor AC unit. Once the metal casing has been removed, you will see accumulation on the unit. This buildup may include dirt, dust, leaves, or other particles. Use a low- to a zero-pressure garden hose and AC condenser cleaner to remove the buildup. It is important to use only very low pressure of water to avoid bending the fins. Using an open-end hose is a good idea.
Begin by spraying the exterior. The hose should be kept at an angle until the buildup is peeled off. Next, start spraying from the inside out to remove debris accumulating inside the fins. If you cause the fins to bend, use either a fin comb or a dinner knife to straighten them. This step must be done as thoroughly as possible because even a small buildup can affect the cooling capacity of an air conditioner.
Step 4
Finally, it’s time to re-assemble your unit and clean up the working area. Re-assemble the outdoor condenser unit by putting back all the parts, the metal casing, and all the screws. You should clean up the area around the outdoor AC unit too. Cut any foliage surrounding it within a 2-feet radius. See to it that there are no obstructions above and around your unit.
Benefits of Cleaning Condenser Coil
To Optimize Performance
Your air conditioner is a complex appliance composed of various parts, one of which is the condenser coil. The entire system will be affected if the condenser does not work well. Residue can disrupt the efficiency of your aircon. Check the outdoor unit from time to time and clean it and its surrounding areas regularly.
To Ensure Comfort
Most homeowners do not know how to clean their AC unit outside regularly but they should bear in mind that condenser coils are a component of the outdoor unit. Taking them for granted impacts your AC’s performance. The heat will get trapped inside when it is covered with debris and dirt. This will result in higher energy consumption and inefficient cooling. Cleaning the condenser coil must be a part of regular aircon maintenance. The more efficient your aircon is, the more comfortable the indoor environment will be.
To Increase Lifespan
Condenser coils are always exposed to bugs, dirt, dust, and leaves. Regular maintenance or servicing is the best way of maximizing the life of your aircon. Failure to maintain the coils can drive up your electricity bills.
Professional Condenser Maintenance
Indeed, you cannot solve every problem regarding the condenser unit of your air conditioner. Some issues that require professional attention include checking for refrigerant insufficiency, examining the thermostat’s accuracy, inspecting motors and belts, measuring the airflow across the evaporator coil, utilizing a leak detector to check any refrigerant leaks, and others.
If you do not have enough time to clean your AC condenser unit, schedule an appointment with us at SOServices in Singapore for these and a lot more HVAC services. Sometimes it is not as easy as spraying the condenser with a hose. Let one of our experts do it for you.
How Often Should an AC Condenser Unit Be Cleaned?
Your condenser coil must be cleaned at least once yearly, especially here in Singapore where we depend on our air conditioning units for months at a time. AC condenser cleaning is generally included in aircon preventive maintenance, thus if you are taking good care of your aircon we will perform this task for you.
During maintenance, we will also straighten any of the fins of your condenser that might have bent since the last maintenance of your air conditioner. It is beneficial to straighten bent fins out to prevent airflow restriction and help maximize the efficiency of your condensing unit. If you have any questions regarding aircon condenser cleaning and if you would like to schedule preventive maintenance with us, do not hesitate to get in touch with SOServices.
