DIY: How to Clean Your Outdoor Air Conditioner Unit

It’s aggravating when your air conditioner breaks down when you need it the most. Unfortunately, many homes experience this due to poor care and upkeep. Like any other electrical item, cleaning and maintaining your air conditioner is essential to keep it functioning properly.

This is especially important in areas where the weather remains hot for months at a time, typically requiring excessive usage of cooling equipment. AC services experts recommend that all air conditioning equipment be properly cleaned at least once a year to guarantee optimal operation. So, how do you clean your air conditioner on your own?

Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Read on for all the information you’ll need to clean your air conditioner yourself.

Cleaning Your Outdoor Unit

Before beginning the cleaning procedure, switch off the air conditioner’s main power source for safety reasons. Consider the location of your unit because safety should always come first. We recommend hiring a professional to clean the outside unit if it’s installed far above the ground. You should clean units you can access from the ground or with a household ladder according to the methods below.

Step 1: Clean the Fan Blades and Fins

If not cleaned regularly, the condenser fins become caked with dust. This inhibits airflow, making your air conditioner work harder. The exterior panel of the unit must be unscrewed and removed to clear dust from the fins and fan blades.

Some versions may have a separate covering over the fan blades that you must also remove for complete cleaning. After removing the panels, gently brush the dust off the fins with a soft brush. Excessive pressure may cause the fins to bow. Brush off the fan blades and debris accumulated at the bottom of the device.

Step 2: Use a Water Hose

The most efficient technique to clean the fins thoroughly is to spray them down with low water pressure. Hold the water hose inside the machine and spray the fins to clear the particles. If the fins are particularly filthy, acquire a foam condenser cleaning product to remove grime effectively.

If the fins are simply dusty, ordinary water will suffice. Wet a clean towel and wash the fan blades well to clean them. Finally, clean the unit’s bottom, which may have gathered unclean water.

Step 3: Cleaning Inside Your Electrical Unit

The condenser’s electrical unit comprises wires that should not be unplugged or tugged at since that could result in a loose connection. Furthermore, because the electrical unit is adequately disguised within the condenser unit, there isn’t much to clean. The only cleaning it may require is dust removal, which may be done gently with a soft brush, dusting cloth, or feather duster.

Step 4: Clean the Panels

Because the condenser unit’s detachable panels collect a lot of dust, dirt, and ugly stains, cleaning your outdoor AC unit isn’t complete without scrubbing these sections as well. Brush off the dust and then hose them off.

After that, spray some dish detergent into a sponge and scrape away the filth, giving special care to the edges and ridges. To allow the inside to dry quickly, sponge up extra water with a towel before screwing the panels back on.

Test Your AC

After you’ve cleaned and reassembled your air conditioner’s exterior unit, it’s time to test it. Restart the main power supply and run the air conditioner for at least a half-hour. During this period, keep an eye on the temperature and listen for strange sounds.

Turn off the air conditioner and contact a local HVAC specialist to get it checked for any faults if you notice anything unexpected. Whether you try our DIY air conditioner cleaning instructions or hire a specialist, it’s necessary to clean your air conditioner at least once a year, maybe as part of your seasonal house maintenance.