The DIY Air Conditioner Spring Cleaning Guide

Spring cleaning, the most elaborate of household chores, is incomplete without a thorough cleaning of your air conditioner. Cleaning your AC prepares it for its summer run, and helps it work at maximum efficiency. Dirt is never good for an air conditioner, nor is it ideal for your lungs. So without further ado, here is our guide to air conditioner spring cleaning:

Meet your air conditioner:

The condenser, or outdoor unit, contains the fan, compressor, refrigerant tubes and cooling fins. One of the two tubes connected to the condenser is covered in foam and carries the refrigerant to your indoor unit. The purpose of the fan in the condenser is to bring in cool air via the fins, thus cooling the refrigerant before it is sent to the evaporator in the indoor unit. Warm air from within your room enters the evaporator, is cooled down and fanned back into the room. Moisture from this air condenses and is drained back out.

How to go about spring cleaning your AC:

1. Power off the condenser and remove the metal cover concealing the fins.
2. Clean the fins using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Be careful so you don’t bend the fins.
3. Locate the lubrication ports on the fan motor and add a few drops of lubricant if needed. Refer to your AC’s user manual or consult a professional to ensure that you’re using the right lubricant.
4. Replace the cover and power the condenser on. Allow the AC to cool your room for about 10 minutes, then check the tubes connected to the condenser. The uncovered pipe should be warm while the one covered in foam should be cool.

If you’re hesitant to clean your air conditioner yourself, please give us a call to book a professional AC cleaning session.