Learning About HVAC Equipment

Does it seem like it is becoming more and more expensive to cool off your home on hot summer days? This this be a result of reduced airflow or a weakened AC motor. If so, you might actually be able to fix the problem on your own. It is very common for an air conditioner to lose its effectiveness over the years. This is partly due to the fact that the condensers on the exterior AC unit get clogged. This article explains how to effectively clean your AC condensers. This is a great DIY project that you can do with basically no tools.

Turning Off the Power

First of all, you want to make sure the power to your air conditioner is turned off before you start this job. Just turning off the thermostat is not enough. You need to find the breaker switch and turn it off. At this point, you will be able to safely and properly clean your unit.

Cleaning the Aluminum Fins

The most important parts of the air conditioner to clean are aluminum sheets on the side of the unit. The aluminum sheets, which you can see through the protective metal cage, are attached to the condenser coils inside. The coils are responsible for transferring heat to the aluminum, where it is dispersed into the outside air. This heat transfer is vital to the airflow of your AC system. You will notice that the aluminum has thin ridges. The space between these ridges, which are often called fins, can get filled with dirt and leaves since they are exposed to the elements.

The key is to spray out the fins with water. A strong stream of water should remove most of the dirt and grime in between the fins. However, you might need to use a basic liquid cleaner to help break down the dirt. You can find condenser coil cleaner at some appliance and HVAC stores. But this is expensive and often hard to find. An all-purpose cleaner that you already have in the cupboards will probably work well enough. You can also find condenser combs that can be used to straighten the fins. If you do want to use one of these, make sure you clean the fins first. Otherwise, you will be jamming dirt deeper into the fins.

Maintaining your condenser fins is essential if you want an efficient HVAC system. For more information, contact Soco Air Conditioning or a similar company.