How Often Do Your Condenser Coils Need to Be Cleaned?

Your central AC system uses many parts and components that need to be cleaned and serviced each spring by an HVAC technician to make sure it operates at peak efficiency. Though, there are some cleaning tasks you can do yourself to save money. Use this guide for how to clean AC condenser coils to get started.

Condenser Coil Basics

The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. It's job is to release heat energy that was collected by its indoor counterpart: the evaporator coil. This is accomplished by a large fan pulling air across the condenser coil, which instigates heat transfer. The dirtier the condenser coil is, the less efficient heat transfer becomes. This results in higher energy usage.

Step 1: How to Clean AC Condenser Coils

The first step of how to clean AC condenser coils is to shut off the power to the central air system at the thermostat and at the disconnect box located on your home's wall near the outdoor unit.

Step 2: How to Clean AC Condenser Coils

Use a shop vacuum with the brush attachment to remove debris from the fins located on the sides of the outdoor unit. Clear away any weeds and obstructions within two feet of the outdoor unit.

Step 3: How to Clean AC Condenser Coils

Use a fin comb, which you can pick up at a home store or online, to straighten bent fins.

Step 4: How to Clean AC Condenser Coils

Unscrew the screws holding the blower assembly (i.e., the cage guard, fan, and motor) in place, which is located on top of the outdoor unit. Carefully set the blower assembly aside, being mindful of wiring.

Step 5: How to Clean AC Condenser Coils

Spray the condenser coils with a can of coil cleaner. After the coil cleaner has done its job, spray the coil and fins from the inside of the outdoor unit with a garden hose. Reattach the blower assembly and turn power back on.

For professional assistance in your Broken Arrow home, contact the AC professionals at Air Assurance today!

Tips for Proper HVAC Cleaning

As you prepare your list of summer home maintenance tasks to embark on, don't forget to include cleaning the HVAC unit. The good news is you can do most of the cleaning chores yourself and save the extra money you would have spent to have an HVAC professional do them. Follow the HVAC cleaning procedure below:

Turn off power

Start by shutting off the electrical power to the exterior unit at the shut-off box near it. Also, turn off the power indoors at the breaker box.

Vacuum away all the debris

Remove the exterior unit's fan cage using a wrench or screwdriver and vacuum debris such as grass clippings and leaves from the interior.

Clean and straighten fins

Spray through them from the inside out using a garden hose with moderate water pressure. Carefully realign any crushed or bent fins with a butter knife.

Clear the area around the outside unit

Replace the unit's fan cage then remove any debris around your unit. Cut back any vegetation nearby. Leave at least two feet of clear space in all directions to promote airflow around your unit.

Clean the evaporator coil

You may have to remove a few bolts or screws and some duct tape before finding the coil. Dust it off with a soft brush then spray it with a no-rinse coil cleaner.

Clean the drain pan

Use hot water, some bleach, and soap to clean the pan. Next, pour a cup of 50-50 mix of bleach and water down the drain. If the solution doesn't drain easily, attach the hose of your vacuum to the end of the drain line. Switch on the vacuum for about three minutes to clear any biological matter.

Replace the filter

Open the door to your indoor unit's filter enclosure, remove the filter and install a new one. Close the door and restore power to your system.

Cleaning your HVAC system helps you extend its life and save money. For more HVAC cleaning tips, contact us at Air Assurance. We've been serving the Broken Arrow area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC cleaning and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.