How to Clean an Air Conditioner

If you have an HVAC unit, you know how valuable each and every wisp of incoming air is. Your room temperature is a sanctuary and you come to sit down and rejoice in it. It's a wonderful experience which you want to have without any detraction.While an air conditioner is fantastic to have, it can also be a chore to maintain. You know the pain of having to clean an air conditioner, too. In order to get the most from it, regular maintenance must be kept on it. This requires keeping an ever vigilant eye on your machine.While Stan’s AC loves servicing HVAC units (and we do), chances are you'd like to pinch a couple pennies. That's why we've come up with this handy checklist to ensure HVAC cleanliness. That way, when you start getting sputters from the vents instead of crisp, clean air, you can address it before having to call Stan's.Identify the Dirty HVACIf you've singled out that your HVAC unit is the one at fault, make sure the unit is dirty. If it seems completely free of debris, it may be worth contacting an HVAC technician instead. This may save you time and effort on your part. However, if the unit is dirty, you will need to clean it thoroughly.Regardless of if your unit is working, it is still important to maintain HVAC cleanliness. This counts as part of the regular maintenance of the machine, which will help keep it better longer. The more you can clean your HVAC, the more peace of mind you can have about your HVAC.Disconnect the Electricity from the HVACBefore you even start on the job, you have to eliminate any potential hazard caused by electricity.Prior to cleaning the unit, it is crucial to unplug all electrical sources running to the HVAC. This may be located on the inside of the house or through a manual switch located on the model. Each unit is different and unique.Eliminate the danger before it becomes a problem. Water is involved in the cleaning process and you know what comes with water and electricity. The inside of your home will feel the effects of an absent HVAC by either heating or cooling down significantly, but it is essential to cut the cords for the moment.Spray the unit with a water hoseNow the actual cleaning part. Hook up a water hose to a spigot located on the outside of your home. Screw in the hose and make sure there is a firm seal. After this, turn on the hose and begin spraying. Give a thorough rinse down to the entire HVAC unit, from side to side, front to back. Every single inch should be cleaned thoroughly.Sometimes, you can use coil cleaner in order to get a better result. Coil cleaner can be found at many hardware stores. This will help keep the quality of the HVAC even higher, as the cleaner is specifically treated and designed for use on air conditioners and heaters. While water is quicker, coil cleaner may be better in the long run.Rinse again with a water hoseOnce you've given the HVAC a thorough clean, let it sit for a bit. About 15 to 20 minutes should be long enough for the water or cleaning coil agent to dry off and finish its work. Once time has passed, do another thorough wash of the unit. Make sure no portion of it is left unrinsed.This rinse is to guarantee thoroughness. You probably already knew that, but it's important to reinforce the cleaning aspect of this job. If you're aiming for true HVAC cleanliness, then every dirt particle needs to be cleaned. Those particles could build up into more trouble later down the road by clumping together and forming severe blockages.Keep it clean by keeping an eye on itThe hardest part about keeping an HVAC clean is continuing to keep it clean. Like any good habits, it can only stay a habit if you keep doing it. Set an alarm or a reminder, mark it on a calendar, or even hire a skywriter to send a message every month. The important thing is to keep your HVAC consistently clean.Don't let the dirt build up again. You got into this mess because it got dirty. Keep it clean by keeping it clean always. Stay vigilant and stay persistent in your quest for HVAC cleanliness.

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