For Best HVAC Service Clean Your Air Conditioner

Is your air conditioner not giving you the best HVAC service? Has the performance fallen off lately? You might be surprised to find out that the unit might need some cleaning.

Clean Your AC for Better HVAC Service

What are the consequences of a dirty air conditioning unit? Well, for one, mold might build up, which is bad news given that the system will spread the spores all over your home. In general, you might simply receive poor HVAC service from your system. Here’s how to clean it.

Step One, Turn Off the AC Unit and Open it

The first thing you want to do before getting any sort of cleaning done will be to turn off power to the air conditioner to make sure that everything is done safely. How? Well, turn off power at the breaker box. Once you make sure there is no power connected to it, open the unit. The blower will have a door to the evaporator coil. Depending on the unit, there might be some duct tape you will have to remove on the way, as well as some screws or bolts holding the door in place. If you need help, call an HVAC service.

Step Two, Clean the Evaporator Coils

To clean the evaporator coils, you will first need to use a soft brush to remove any dust from the coil. This way you can get rid of any skin cells, dirt, and even pollen that might have snuck in there, so avoid any allergies by wearing a mask. You can purchase a no-rinse coil cleaner at any home improvement store, which will foam up and drip onto the drain pan. Try spraying the foam as evenly as possible, even in the small areas that you can’t quite reach. It’s always a good idea to do this during a warm day so that the condensation can rinse off the coils once you turn the unit back on.

Step Three, Clean the Drain Pan

Having cleaned up the coils, you will have to clean out the drain pan with soap and hot water, plus some bleach to better sanitize it (50/50 with water). If you want to prevent algae from growing on the pan, there are AC drain pan tablets that can help.

Step Four, Clean the Air Conditioner Drain

Without regular AC maintenance or cleaning, the drain in your AC might get clogged due to mold and algae. Now, your drain will probably end either outside around the condenser unit or into a utility sink in the basement floor. Regardless, follow the drain all the way up to where it ends and, using a wet/dry vacuum, hold the hose at the end of the drain tube. Turn on the vacuum and let it run for two or three minutes to clear any accumulated buildup.

Step Five, Close up the Panel

The last thing you want to do is close up the panel just like you opened it and make sure everything is like it was before you started. If this all seems like a lot, don’t worry. Our HVAC service in Los Angeles can take care of this and more if your air conditioning unit needs cleaning. For more information, give us a call at (818) 722-8634 and we’ll answer your questions, provide estimates, and get you started. Don’t put up with the heat, you don’t have to.