Regardless of whether you use your air conditioning to keep you cool in summer or warm in winter, giving your air conditioner a thorough clean can benefit its efficiency and performance.
An air conditioning unit that is well-maintained will not only run more efficiently, use less energy and last longer, but will also help to improve your indoor air quality. Reducing dust and allergens from circulating around your home or workplace is hugely beneficial.
With that being said, there are plenty of simple maintenance jobs that you can carry out yourself in between professional visits.
Why Should I Clean My Air Conditioning Unit?
Air conditioners (AC) work by constantly blowing air around your home or workplace.
Dust, dirt, pollen and other particles floating around in the air will eventually start to build up inside your unit if it isn’t regularly cleaned, particularly on the filters.
If the filters and internal components of your AC unit become too blocked, it can cause:
- Reduced heating or cooling effectiveness
- Higher energy bills
- Decrease in your indoor air quality
- Musty smells
- Extra strain on your air conditioner
Avoiding these issues by carrying out regular maintenance and cleaning can keep your system running smoothly, while limiting the chances of preventable breakdowns.
Does My Air Conditioner Need Cleaning?
There are a few signs that indicate your air conditioner may need a good clean:
- Poor airflow from the indoor air handling unit
- Rooms taking longer to heat/cool
- Noticeable dust around air vents
- Musty smells
- Increased energy bills
- Visible dust or dirt on filters
If your AC unit is showing any of the above signs, it might be time to carry out some routine maintenance.
Preparation
As with any work on appliances, safety should always be your main priority, so make sure you:
- Switch off the air conditioner using the remote control.
- If possible, turn your system off at the isolator.
- Wait for the unit to completely stop before attempting to clean or dismantle any part of the system.
Tips:
- Never spray water directly onto electrical parts.
- Do not dismantle any units or parts that you’re unsure about.
Step 1 – Clean The Filters
The filters are by far the easiest to clean and most important part that you can actually maintain yourself.
Most split air conditioning systems will have removable filters located behind the decorative front cover.
Cleaning your filters is simple:
- Carefully open the front cover.
- Take out the filters.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to loosen and remove dust.
- Rinse the filters with warm water and mild detergent if they’re washable.
- Allow the filters to air dry before reinstalling them.
Don’t rinse your filters with hot water as this can cause damage to certain types of filters.
Most manufacturers recommend checking your filters at least once every couple of weeks when in heavy use.
Step 2 – Wipe Down The Indoor Unit
Once you have removed the filters, give the indoor unit a wipe down with a soft damp cloth.
Make sure you don’t use any abrasive cleaning products, and try to avoid excess moisture too.
Step 3 – Check The Outside Unit
Just like the indoor unit, you should periodically check around your outside condenser.
Give the outer casing of your outdoor unit a wipe down if required and make sure:
- Any leaves or debris are cleared away.
- Plants haven’t grown over and blocked airflow.
- It has enough space surrounding the unit to allow for proper ventilation.
- Do NOT attempt to wash down the inside of your outdoor unit as internal components such as the coils and fan can easily be damaged.
As mentioned previously, there are some parts of your air conditioner that you should leave to a professional engineer. During a routine service, technicians will typically clean:
- Evaporator coils
- Condenser coils
- Fan blades
- Drain trays/pipework
- Internal electrical parts
Components such as these should only be cleaned by qualified professionals as they’re delicate and can easily be damaged. Using chemicals you’ve got sitting around the house could cause damage and affect the performance of your system.
Not only does your AC unit contain electrical wiring that could shock you if handled incorrectly, but there are many chemicals used within your system that can be harmful if exposed.
Cleaning Your Remote Control
One area we often forget to clean is the remote control. Given that it’s the most touched part of your air conditioning system, it’s safe to say your remote could be housing some bacteria.
Remove the batteries and wipe over with a soft cloth and antibacterial cleaner before replacing the batteries.
How Often Should I Service My Air Conditioner?
Although cleaning your filters is great for reducing unwanted bacteria, it doesn’t replace an annual professional service.
We recommend that air conditioning systems are serviced at least once every 12 months. Larger commercial air conditioning units may require more frequent servicing depending on how often they’re used and the manufacturers guidelines.
During annual servicing, engineers can pick up on any minor issues which could develop into costly repairs if left unchecked. Ensuring your system is regularly maintained will keep it running efficiently all year round.
Need a Professional Air Conditioning Service?
At Bristol & Bath Air Conditioning we offer professional servicing and maintenance to both domestic and commercial air conditioning systems located in Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas.
If your air conditioning system requires a routine annual service, deep clean or you just want some expert advice then our team of experienced engineers are on hand to help.
Give us a call or email us today and book in your air conditioning service.