All About Cleaning & Maintaining Your AC

Routine maintenance is important for any air conditioning system, from large central AC units to ductless mini-splits and window units. It can help prevent breakdowns and premature equipment failures while maximizing comfort and keeping cooling costs as low as possible.

Though most air conditioning maintenance should be left to a professional, you can clean certain components yourself to keep your AC working reliably and efficiently between service visits.

How To Clean a Ductless Mini-Split

To clean your ductless mini-split effectively, you’ll need a garden hose, a shop vacuum with a crevice attachment, a few cleaning rags or cloths, a soft-bristled brush, some mild detergent like dish soap, and a coil cleaner that’s compatible with your system.

Be sure to work carefully so you don’t bend the delicate aluminum fins.

Cleaning the Inside Unit

• Turn off power to the ductless mini-split.
• Wipe down the exterior with water and dish soap.
• Rinse it clean and dry it.
• Open the front panel and remove the air filter.
• Clean the air filter with dish soap and water.
• Let the filter air dry, then reinstall it.
• Behind the air filter, locate the evaporator coil.
• Loosen any dust from the evaporator with a soft brush.
• Use the shop vacuum and rags to remove all the dust particles.

Cleaning the Outdoor Condenser Unit

• Wipe down the exterior of the condenser with detergent and water.
• Spray coil cleaner on the condenser and let it sit for the recommended amount of time.
• Rinse the coils clean of all dust and debris using a garden hose.

How To Clean a Window AC Unit

To clean a window AC unit, you’ll need a shop vacuum with a crevice tool, a soft brush, a garden hose, coil cleaner or hydrogen peroxide, a spray bottle, some clean rags, a mild detergent, and possibly a screwdriver.

Here’s how you do it:

• Unplug the AC to avoid shocks and damage.
• Remove and clean the face panel using detergent and a cloth.
• Remove the air filter and spray it clean with a hose.
• Let the air filter dry before reinstalling it.
• Loosen any dust on the evaporator behind the filter with a brush.
• Clean up the debris using rags and the shop vacuum.
• Spray coil cleaner on the condenser coils and rinse with water.
• Use a thin-bladed knife or a fin comb to straighten any evaporator or condenser fins.

How To Clean an AC Condenser

Cleaning the coils is the most important part of maintaining your central AC unit. The condenser unit outside your home contains the condenser coils, compressor, condenser fan, and related components while the interior unit houses the evaporator coil, filter, and other parts.

To clean the condenser coil, you’ll need a garden hose, coil cleaner, shop vacuum, clean rags, a soft brush, mild detergent, and a screwdriver.

• Shut off the breakers for the AC unit.
• Wipe down the exterior of the cabinet with a detergent and water.
• Remove the top of the cabinet with a screwdriver.
• Clean the blades of the condenser fan with a shop vacuum and rags.
• Remove any loose debris from the condenser coil with a vacuum and brush.
• Apply coil cleaner to the condenser coils and let it soak.
• Rinse the coils clean from the inside out using a garden hose.
• Straighten any bent fins with a fin comb or thin blade, being careful not to puncture the coil.
• Reinstall the top of the condenser cabinet.

How To Clean AC Evaporator Coils

To clean the evaporator on your central AC unit, you’ll need a shop vacuum, a soft brush, a mild detergent, clean rags, and possibly a screwdriver.

• Turn off the breakers for the AC unit.
• Remove the air filter and clean it or replace it.
• Open the cabinet or evaporator access door.
• Remove any dust from the blower fan with a vacuum and brush.
• Use a soft brush to remove loose debris from the evaporator coils.
• Use a shop vacuum to remove the rest of the debris from the coils.
• Spray a no-rinse coil cleaner on the evaporator, if available.
• Use the shop vacuum to remove any water from the condensate drip tray.
• Clean any algae or debris from the drip pan.
• Close the cabinet and replace all components.

Benefits of Cleaning Your AC

By learning how to clean an air conditioner, you can enjoy several benefits for your home, including:

• More energy-efficient cooling
• Lower utility costs
• Longer AC service life
• Fewer breakdowns
• Improved air quality
• Quieter AC operation
• Improved home comfort

Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance in South Boston & the South Shore, MA

Whether you need help cleaning your AC or you want to get the rest of your routine AC maintenance done so your system is ready for summer, call Blue Bear Plumbing, Heating & Air. We’re a family-owned HVAC company serving South Boston and the South Shore.

Our friendly, knowledgeable technicians can help with all your AC needs. We provide exceptional service, great customer reviews, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Sign up for our Blue Care Maintenance Plan to stay updated with HVAC maintenance and enjoy great benefits like priority service and repair discounts.

Call Blue Bear today to request professional AC maintenance or sign up for our Blue Care Maintenance Plan.