Clean your outdoor unit on a day that’s at least 60 degrees F. That’s about the minimum temperature at which you can test your air conditioner to make sure it’s working. usually sits in an inconspicuous spot next to yourYou’ll see two copper tubes running to it, one bare and the other encased in a foam sleeve. If you have a heat pump, both tubes will be covered by foam sleeves. Your primary job here is to clean the condenser fins, which are fine metallic blades that surround the unit. get dirty because a central fan sucks air through them, pulling in dust, dead leaves, dead grass and the worst culprit— floating “cotton” from cottonwood trees and dandelions. The debris blocks the airflow and reduces the unit’s Always begin by shutting off the electrical power to theNormally you’ll find a shutoff nearby. It may be a switch in a box, a pull lever or a fuse block that you pull out (Photo 1). Look for the “on-off” markings.

Vacuum the fins clean with a soft brush (Photo 2); fragile and easily bent or crushed. On many units you’ll have to unscrew and lift off a metal box to get at them. owner’s manual for directions and lift off the box carefully to avoid bumping the fins. Occasionally you’ll find fins that haveYou can buy a special set of fin combs (from an appliance parts store) to straighten them. can be done with a blunt dinner knife (Photo 3). areas of fins are crushed, have a pro straighten them during a Then unscrew the fan to gain access to the interior of theYou can’t completely remove it because its wiring is connected to the unit. Depending on how much play the wires give you, you might need a helper to hold it while you vacuum debris from the inside. (Sometimes mice like to over-winter After you hose off the fins (Photo 5), check the fan motorMost newer motors have sealed bearings (ours did) and can’t be lubricated.

Check your owner’s manualIf you find ports, add five drops of electric motor oil (from hardware stores or appliance parts stores). Don’t use penetrating oil or all-purpose oil. designed for long-term lubrication and can actually harm the If you have an old air conditioner, you might have a belt-driven compressor in the bottom of the unit. ports on this as well. The compressors on newer air conditioners are completely enclosed and won’t need lubrication.Show All ItemsWith summer approaching soon comes the time to turn on the AC to keep the house cold. You might notice that your electric bill spikes up more than expected or that your house is just having trouble staying cold. If it's been more than a few years sense your last AC unit cleaning (or you cant remember ever having them cleaned) then its probably time for a clean. It's a fairly easy process so save some money by doing it yourself! Step 1: Safety firstShow All ItemsWhenever doing ANY work with electronics its important to turn the electricity off and check voltage on the unit with a multimeter.

Again, DO NOT WORK ON LIVE ELECTRONICS. For this particular project the risk isn't as much to do with shock (though this still exists and adding water to the mix is even more reason to be cautious) but more to do with fear of the unit turning on and spinning fan blades. Most units should have an electronics box near the unit on the outside of the building. Open it up and flip the switch to the OFF position. how to remove an air conditioner unit without losing gas« PreviousNext »View All Steps Downloadyork central ac partsIf you're like us, you're already feeling the intense heat of (unofficial) summer. how much is a new home ac unitThis weekend, in fact, we found sanctuary thanks to our amazing air conditioners. If you are anticipating the pangs of the soon-to-be scorching season, it's the perfect time to clean your outdoor air conditioner.

Because routine cleaning won't only prolong the life of your machine, but an unclogged, debris-less unit will function more efficiently, costing you less in energy bills. What's not to love about that? The first and most important step to cleaning an outdoor unit is turning off the power switch, which should be located in a small box near the machine. Next, remove any leaves, branches or other debris that may have gotten stuck in the condenser fins, which are the thin metal pieces that run along the exterior of the unit. Then, vacuum the fins with a soft-bristled brush attachment making sure not to bend any fins. Once you're done, unscrew and remove the top grille. The fan will most likely be attached to the grille. Vacuum any debris around the motor. Then, using a hose with a direct spray, wash down the interior walls, avoiding electrical components and not bending any fins. Finally, wipe down the fan blades with a damp cloth. Have something to say? Be sure to check out Stylelist Home on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Air Conditioner Air Conditioner Cleaner Air Conditioning Maintenance Cleaning Tips Air Conditioners Get top stories and blog posts emailed to me each day. Newsletters may offer personalized content or advertisements.Edit ArticleHow to Clean an Air Conditioner Three Methods:Clean the Indoor Unit of a Central Air ConditionerClean the Outdoor Unit of a Central Air ConditionerClean a Room Air ConditionerCommunity Q&A Keeping your air conditioner clean will prevent expensive repairs and increase the efficiency and reliability of your unit. While you may want to leave some air conditioner cleaning to the professionals, you can use the tips in this article to clean either a central or room air conditioner on your own. Replace the air filter. Turn off the power to your furnace or blower. If you can't find the shutoff switch on the unit, then turn it off at the main panel. Open the blower compartment. Vacuum up any visible dust and debris. If your motor has lubrication ports, squeeze 5 drops of oil that is specifically formulated for electric motors into the ports.

Avoid penetrating or all-purpose oil (such as WD-40). If you're unsure about the lubrication ports, check your owner's manual. Clean the drain tube. Shut down the power. Turn off the 240-volt power to the air conditioner at the shutoff box on the exterior of your house. You will either have to pull out the shutoff, pull down a handle or remove the fuse. If you don't see a shutoff box, then turn off the circuit breaker that powers the A/C. Vacuum the condenser fins. Use a vacuum with a soft bristle-brush attachment. You may have to unscrew a protective metal case to access the fins. Check for grass, weeds, leaves and other debris that may block airflow. Trim any foliage to leave about 2 feet (61 cm) of space around the outdoor unit. Be careful not to damage the fins as you vacuum. They can bend easily. If necessary, straighten your fins with a dinner knife or a fin comb. Unscrew the grille on top of the air conditioner. The fan usually lifts out with the grille, so support the fan carefully as you lift so that you don't damage the electrical connections.

Wipe the fan clean with a damp cloth. Check to see if your fan has lubrication ports. Lower a water hose into the empty unit. Check for proper operation. Check for drainage problems. Check the drain channels at the bottom of the air conditioner for clogs. Clean out any clogs with a pipe cleaner or a small bristled brush.Remove the front grille from the air conditioning unit. Take out the filter and clean it either by vacuuming it or rinsing it with warm, sudsy water. Make sure the filter is dry before you put it back into the unit. Dust the grille and the vents. The central air conditioner is a major appliance with electrical and plumbing connections. If you feel you cannot clean the unit properly, don’t hesitate to call a professional. The outdoor temperature should be at least 60 F (15.5 C) or higher for the air conditioner to function properly. Otherwise the thermostat may not engage the compressor to cool/refrigerate the air. Avoid bumping the air conditioner coils or hitting the coil against objects.