We may earn revenue from the product useable on this Thomas Nelson Page and take part in affiliate program . Learn More ›
During the raging days of the year , it ’s likely that you bank hard onan air travel conditioning building block , be it direct your room from a windowsill or cooling off the whole - dwelling house , without consider what makes it tick .
The thaumaturgy happens because of the AC condenser curl . Here , the icebox unit in your go - to seasonal appliance soak up heat to make the air cooler . As air passes over the cool refrigerant , it wicks the high temperature out in a mental process that ’s basically the reverse of how yourforced air furnaceoperates .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Now , thecleaner the surface areaof those coils is , the more expeditiously the machine works . rubble and oil that accumulate over time can produce a blanket over the gyre — one that , just like the blanket on your bed , impedes heat transfer and makes your AC less efficient andmore expensive .
Fortunately , the hardest part to cleaning air conditioner coils is commend to typeset aside the time at least once a year . The coil cleanup process usually takes less than half an hour , but better schedule a full 60 minutes so you do n’t feel like you ’re rush through the job . The steps below will guide you through how to pick ac coils to maximize theefficiencyand lifetime of your automobile .
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchase made through these links .
Step 1: Locate the AC coils on your unit.
When cleaning windowAC units , you ’ll need to get to the end that sticks out of the house for accomplish the coil ; cardinal airwave units typically keep the coil behind a removable panel that you should unscrew in fiat to proceed . break your operator ’s manual if you ’re unclear — the specs diagram will identify exactly where the scroll are and the process to remove the masking . Trust the manufacturer ’s advice . They build it the machine , and they know how to take it apart .
Step 2: Inspect the dirty condenser coils.
Visually inspect the coil for any large debris like leaves , spider WWW , or clods of dirt . Remove these by hand , then scatter off the coils using a coil brush . usable at most with child box computer hardware stores and AC workshop , this specialty cleanup dick ( also known as a territory brush ) has bristles with stiffness about halfway between a bridge player broom and a conducting wire coppice . gently guide the brush parallel to the fins on the curlicue to ward off crouch them . This is n’t a recondite scrub . You ’re simply ping off slack dust and hair .
Step 3: Correct bent fins with a fin brush.
Did you notice many bent fin on your coils in Step 2 ? ( Hint : bended V will excogitate light source and often put a bright luster to portion of the coils . ) If so , running a fin copse slowly and parallel to the line of the V could tidy them out . This will improve the public presentation of yourAC unitby increasing the expose surface area for the coils .
If you do n’t desire to invest in a piece of specialised equipment like the fin brush , vamoose this footstep . Correcting bended fins goes above and beyond the task at mitt — cleaning the coils — from which your machine will already receive an efficiency encouragement .
Step 4: Rinse the AC coils with water (optional).
As AC coils are typically made from bull or aluminum , they can be pick with water system . Rinse the ringlet on any out-of-door cardinal AC social unit by spray with water from yourgarden hoseon a low mount .
For indoor unit , you could avert a puddle beneath your window by “ rinsing ” with a spray bottle or press gentle wind , or opting for a slightly dear “ no - rinsing ” case of curl cleaner .
Step 5: Apply the AC coil cleaner.
Many coil cleaner are safe to use on both atomic number 13 and bull coils , but check the packaging before apply a cleaner to the coils . If the coils are made from bull , obviate using acidulous dry cleaner because they can cause corrosion . For aluminum coils , a soapy mix of household detergent is also safe to employ .
To employ a foamingHVAC coil cleaner , shake the can and spray it instantly into your volute so they are completely covered . The cleaner should effervesce immediately , fill the melodic line between gyre where grime roll up . The foaming airlift off all the unreachable shite and grease engraft in between the fins . Let the clean pawn for 5 to 10 minutes , according to the instruction on the can .
Step 6: Rinse the A/C coil cleaner (if specified).
If the cleaner label says to do so , rinse off off the foaming clear using your hose . You will ask good water pressure sensation and slow , back - and - onward motions to exhaustively rinse the cleanser off . Indoor units cleaned using rinse - costless cleaner just take to startle up ; the condensation will rinse off the cleaner on its own .
Though some of the more unscrupulousair conditionerservice companies will say you involve divine service two or three time per twelvemonth , most experts fit that once a twelvemonth is enough for cleaning your AC coils . For full final result during the warm months , do it in the spring , immediately before the summertime heat starts to involve your air conditioning perform at peak potential .
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to cleanse AC coils is an of import part of cause sure the air conditioner runs expeditiously and effectively . Even though the steps outlined in this article are the fundamental principle , make certain to refer the unit ’s instruction manual for any particular that are singular to your AC unit . While it claim under an hour to sportsmanlike coils , check that to have all of the tools on hand and complete the cleaning before the warmer temperatures are bear .
FAQs
An AC ’s condenser coil is made of metal and looks like tubes .
If you do n’t regularly clean an zephyr conditioner ’s spiral , you may find that theAC is not coolingas in effect as it did . Over fourth dimension , dirty AC helix will cause the unit to habituate more power and finally wear out .
check that the breeze conditioner is completely ironical before attempting to use it . Wait about 30 to 60 minutes before turning on the AC after cleaning the coils .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Yes , you could pick an AC spiral without removing it from the unit of measurement . Use compressed air in a canister to blow the dirt and dust free .
If your capacitor coil need a abstruse clean , consider hiring a professional .
This Is the yr for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this overhaul the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
