The Benefits of Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Unit

The Benefits of Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Unit

Your air conditioning unit is like anything else in your home in that it needs to be regularly cleaned to maintain optimal efficiency. Fortunately, there are some effective ways you can keep your home's air conditioning system clean between professional maintenance appointments and checkups. Continue reading to learn more about the top benefits of cleaning your cooling system – and how to do it safely.

Boosting Efficiency

A cleaner cooling system is a more efficient one. A good cleaning of all key parts removes excess dust and debris. With the condenser unit, a strong spray of water also helps keep it cooler, which means it uses less energy. You'll also be boosting overall system efficiency by keeping the rest of your air conditioning unit clean.

Extending AC Lifespan

An air conditioner that's well taken care of lasts longer. The main reason is that minimizing dirt and debris means your system doesn't have to work as hard to keep your home cool. This translates to less wear and tear on the unit, which plays a role in helping it last longer. You'll also minimize the dust and debris that can collect on your AC vents over time and deteriorate various inner mechanisms and parts.

Saving Money

If your AC unit is more efficient and not working excessively hard to cool your home, guess what? You'll be saving money, too! This happens because of a reduced risk of major repair needs. Plus, a cooling system that lasts longer means you don't have to worry about investing in an entirely new AC unit as often, which equals even more savings potential.

Giving Your Air Conditioning Unit a Good Cleaning

A simple and effective way to start the cleaning process is to use a garden hose to clean the outside unit. Just spray it with water to wash away gunk and debris. You can even safely set it to a stronger setting to blast away stubborn debris. Start from the top and work your way down to the bottom of the unit. Also, manually remove any leaves and branches on or around the outside unit. The main parts of your air conditioner to clean are:

• Condenser: This is the outside unit you'll be spraying and spritzing. Just be careful with the inner mechanics. Focus your spraying efforts on accessible exterior parts.
• Fins: Use a soft brush to clean the fins lightly. The fan can be removed as well, and you can apply light or medium water pressure to get rid of any debris. The fins can also be lightly sprayed with water or hosed off.
• Evaporator Coils: Evaporator coils can be lightly cleaned off with a mix of warm water and detergent that's put into a spray bottle.

Some people don't feel comfortable cleaning the evaporator coils or any inside parts. If this applies to you, give us a call, and we'll gladly help you out. Don't forget about your air conditioner's filter, either. It should be changed every 60 to 90 days. If you have a reusable filter, follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning.

Call Us Today

Our experienced team at Command Service Center is here to help you with routine maintenance and care for your cooling system. We've got all your other indoor comfort needs covered, too! Call to schedule a professional inspection to determine if any issues with the AC unit are best taken care of sooner rather than later.

Contact us today for prompt, dependable service.