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.Outdoor air conditioner units require regular maintenance. Properly cleaning your air conditioner outdoor unit extends its life and minimizes maintenance issues. A clean air conditioner also cools the air more efficiently and can reduce energy consumption by up to 15 percent, according to Cornell University. Most outdoor units are easily accessible, which allows homeowners to perform maintenance themselves. Units perform best when cleaned twice annually at the beginning and again at the end of the summer cooling season.

Locate and remove the air conditioner filter. Filter locations vary depending on your air conditioner, but they are usually found along the air conditioner return duct. If the filter is not located within the air conditioner unit, look for an access panel on the interior or exterior of your home near the air conditioner location. how stuff works ac in carWash reusable filters outdoors. free estimate car ac repairRinse them with a sharp spray of water from a garden hose to remove the dust and debris in the filter. ac unit for apartmentDispose of cardboard and fiber filters and replace with a new filter, since these are not reusable like the metal and plastic variety. Turn off the power to the air conditioner unit. Usually this requires flipping the breaker switch assigned to the unit since most units don't have a separate on/off switch.

Remove the top access panel on the unit. This is the panel with the vent openings. Locate the screws holding it in place and remove them with a screwdriver. Set the panel aside carefully without damaging the attached fan or fan wires. Examine the condenser coils on the inside of the unit for dirt, debris and dust. Vacuum the debris from the coils using a shop vacuum, taking care not to bend the fins and coils. Rinse the coils with water from the garden hose after vacuuming. Wipe the fan blades clean with a wet rag. Clear any debris from the fan vents in the panel. Replace the panel on the unit and screw it in place. Turn the power back on to the unit. Things You Will Need Replacement filter (optional) Garden hose Screwdriver Shop vacuum Rags Tip Warning References Cornell University Extension: Maintaining Your Air ConditionerUniversity of Nebraska: Time to Clean Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Photo Credits Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionEdit ArticleHow to Clean Air Conditioner Coils

Cleaning your air conditioner's condenser coils regularly will let your air conditioner run cooler with less energy and make you feel more comfortable. The best time to clean your air conditioner is in the spring, just before you anticipate using it for the first time in the year. Here are the steps to follow to clean your air conditioner coils. Disconnect power to the air conditioner. Trim away any plant growth around the air conditioner. Detach the outer case or access panels. Remove the top of the air conditioner. Clean and lubricate the fan assembly. Brush away surface dirt from the air conditioner coils. Spray-clean away trapped dirt from the coils. You can do this with just water, or if the dirt is considerable, a biodegradable foaming cleaner mixed with water. Spray the cleaner from the outside in and let it soak in for 10 to 15 minutes. You may wish to re-apply the cleaner and let the second application soak for another 5 minutes. Before you spray the air conditioner, cover any electric wires or motors with plastic.