How to Clean an A/C Unit and Stay Cool This Summer?

Published: 08/20/2021

A hired worker repairman cleans and repairs the air conditionerWe’re still in the heat of summer and relying on our air conditioning units more than ever to stay cool and comfortable. Whether you have central A/C in your home or just a window unit or two, it’s important to keep them clean so they keep working well and don’t create any risks or health hazards.

 

Here is some information about how to clean A/C units and how a property caretaker can help you with this and so many other tasks around the house.

 

Benefits of a Clean A/C Unit

Are you on the fence about whether going through the hassle of getting a clean A/C unit is worth it? Here are a few reasons this household chore should be on your summer to-do list.

 

  • Stay cool on hot summer days
  • Avoid costly repairs in the future
  • Extend the lifespan of your unit
  • Improve energy efficiency in your home
  • Save money on electric bills
  • Improve indoor air quality

 

Tips for How to Clean A/C Unit

If you have central A/C in your home, it’s a good idea to clean the condenser. This is part of the outside unit that is connected with tubes and has a fan. To get started, you’ll need a screwdriver, garden hose, blunt knife, shop vacuum, electric motor oil, damp and dry rags, and disposable gloves. After turning the power off, use the shop vac to get rid of debris that has collected around it. You can straighten any fins that have become bent with a blunt knife, but don’t insert the knife more than a half-inch inside.

 

Unscrew the top of the unit to remove the fan. Then, remove debris and wipe everything clean. With the top off, you can rinse off the fins with water from a hose. Put everything back in place and turn the unit back on to test it.

 

How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner without Removing It

A common question people ask is whether it’s possible to clean an A/C unit in a window without actually taking it out. It can be challenging to set up these units, so fortunately, there are ways to clean them in-place.

 

Unplug the unit from the outlet and remove the filter so you can soak it in warm, soapy water. Take off the case and wipe it down. You can use a vacuum to get debris off the unit, or use a spray bottle with warm, soapy water for hard-to-reach areas. An old toothbrush can also be helpful to get grime off the fins. Allow everything to dry and then put the pieces back together, plug it in, and test the unit.

 

Get Help with A/C Unit Cleaning

Even for experienced DIYers, cleaning an air conditioning unit can take half a day or even a full day of your time. If you don’t have this kind of spare time on your hands, it might be worth looking into a property caretaker who can handle this task and so many others around the house. In the summertime, a property caretaker can address air conditioner maintenance, lawn care chores, light carpentry work, backyard pond cleaning, sprinkler systems, and much more.

 

Contact us online or at 212-683-7722 to learn more about our property caretaker candidates and how they can make your life easier this summer!