How to clean your home air conditioner yourself

For a long time, different types of air conditioners have become almost the main equipment in our homes, because thanks to them we set the perfect microclimate in our rooms and, thus, save ourselves from heat or cold. But there is no equipment that would not need regular maintenance, so for effective and proper operation of the air conditioner, think about cleaning its parts. In what cases can the device be cleaned independently at home, and in which the help of a wizard is required?

When is it necessary to clean the indoor and outdoor unit of the air conditioner

Immediately clean the equipment in the following cases:

1. The air conditioner began to consume more electricity.
2. The climate system began to work worse or its power decreased.
3. When the air conditioner is turned on, a characteristic crack or loud noise comes to the electricity. In this case, you should check the block turbines or filters for clogging.
4. During operation of the equipment, condensate leakage appeared from its outdoor unit.
5. An unpleasant and pungent odor that appears instantly after turning on the air conditioner. This is a warning that there are problems with the drainage system or the evaporator grill.
6. The appearance of gurgling or popping sounds that indicate that the drainage has become worse working or the cooling system is losing refrigerant.
7. The external unit emits a characteristic tapping, which means that the time has come to clean its body from clogging. The fan blades no longer spin or cling to another object.

With a careful attitude to the air conditioner, he will work all his life without repair, which is about 11 years of ideal work.

With a careful attitude to the air conditioner, he will work his entire life cycle without repair, which is about 11 years of ideal work

How to clean your home air conditioner yourself: step-by-step instructions for different components

Before you start cleaning the air conditioner, determine the types of work that need to be done. The following processes are independently done: cleaning the fan, heat exchanger, filters, drainage.

The outdoor unit also needs to be cleaned, however it is better to invite a professional for this work. High-altitude work is not safe and requires special tools and experience.

For independent cleaning of equipment you will need tools:

• vacuum cleaner;
• soft rags;
• a small brush (not very wide and with a medium pile);
• Toothbrush;
• detergent;
• soap;
• container with warm water.

Further, independent cleaning of the equipment is carried out in several stages.

Filter cleaning

It’s easy to clean the filters, so everyone can handle this process, the main thing is to adhere to the following sequence:

1. On the top panel you need to open the cover.
   

   On the top panel, open the cover

2. Air conditioner filters are mesh parts that are carefully pulled out.
   

   We take out the air conditioner filters

3. In a bowl of warm water we put soap and wait until it is completely dissolved.
4. Filters must be put in the resulting solution for half an hour.
   

   Air conditioner filter cleaner

5. After a period of time, check if any dirt remains on the filters. If so, wipe the elements with a toothbrush, but do not press them hard. Running water will help you rinse the soap solution off the filters.
6. To eliminate excess moisture, the parts are wiped with a dry cloth or in sunny weather they are left on the windowsill.
7. Install the filters in their place.
   

   The air conditioner is cleaned in several stages

How is the heat exchanger cleaned

The heat exchanger affects the quality cooling and heating of the room, so the procedure for cleaning it should not be ignored.

1. For starters, the indoor unit opens in the device.
   

   It is also important to clean the contaminated air conditioner heat exchanger.

2. Grid comes out.
   

   We get the heat exchanger grille

3. Vacuum cleaner collects all the dust from the grate. The vacuum cleaner should work at medium power.
   

   Heat exchanger cleaning is best done with a soft brush.

4. Wipe the grate slightly with a damp cloth so that subsequently there are no traces of dirt and dust accumulation.
   

   Using a cloth to wipe the heat exchanger grate

5. We insert the element in its original place and cover it with a lid.
   

   Heat exchanger antiseptic treatment

6. Before turning on the air conditioner, you need to wait a bit.

How is the external cleaning of the device

Also, the external unit of the device needs constant cleaning, although it is polluted much less than the internal one, so you need to get rid of dust every 6 months.

Cleaning the outdoor unit

A powerful vacuum cleaner is used for the procedure, which is able to extract all the dust from the external filters and the heat transfer radiator, as well as a soft brush:

1. Remove trash. The brush is for large debris, and the vacuum cleaner is for small.
   

   The external unit is washed under running water

2. Remove dirt from the filter grate with a brush.
   

   The unit is washed with water and a soft brush.

3. Replace the housing cover.

If the outdoor unit is within reach, use a compressor to service it. A hose with a fitting is pushed into the body and the valve opens. This way you remove contaminants outside the air conditioning grill.

How to clean the fan

The fan is located inside the unit, so to see its blades, you need to open the cover. The accumulation of dust on the fan does not allow it to work properly. You can remove plaque in this way:

1. Turn on the equipment and operate it a little in any mode.
   

   Let the air conditioner work a little, then turn it off and open

2. Turn off the air conditioner and open its cover. Remove and remove it for a while.
   

   To see the fan of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, remove the cover from it.

3. In the originally prepared soap solution with warm water, moisten the toothbrush and thoroughly wipe all the blades.
   

   The fan of the indoor unit is washed with water and a brush

The fan must be cleaned carefully and carefully so as not to damage the blades.

Clean the fan from dust carefully and carefully so as not to damage parts

Drainage cleaning

The drainage of the device is cleaned using antibacterial treatment.This process includes the maintenance of all equipment nodes. With a steam generator, a similar procedure can be dealt with much faster.

1. First you need to find the entrance to the drainage system of the air conditioner.
   

   The entrance to the drainage system of the air conditioner is located on the side under the cover

2. Antibacterial cleaning will end immediately after steam has been blown into the body of the unit.
   

   The drainage system is cleaned with steam

3. There is a second way - the entire conditioning system is washed out, after which it is treated with a special antibacterial substance, which is based on the alcohol content. This type of cleaning involves spraying a substance from a spray bottle.
   

   Flushing the drain pipe can be carried out using a spray gun.

Tips and tricks for using and cleaning the device

The housing, drainage, and filters of the device must be cleaned regularly. This should be done depending on the functional purpose of the equipment and its climatic location:

• to clean the outside of the split system, which is located up to 4 floors, is necessary every 3 months;
  

  Cleaning the outdoor unit

• an air conditioner located from 7 to 8 floors needs to be cleaned every few years, since it has almost no contact with organic debris or dust;
• at a height of 12 floors, the equipment needs external cleaning, but not more than once every several years. Therefore, outdoor units of industrial air conditioners are installed on the roof of the building;
• internal filters are cleaned several times a month;
  

  You can periodically clean with steam to disinfect the internal filters.

• cleaning of split systems is carried out before the air conditioner begins to operate;
  

  The indoor unit can be cleaned with a steam generator.

• in winter, the outdoor unit is constantly cleared of icicles and ice so that they do not damage the parked car or fall on a person passing by.

Equipment drainage is cleaned as needed. Contamination of system channels can be checked visually by wet spots..

The life of the equipment depends not only on the chosen model and the good installation of the air conditioner, but also on its proper use. Following simple rules, you will extend the working time of the equipment.

1. In the room where there is air conditioning, there should be no drafts. Close the doors and windows to maintain the required temperature, otherwise the equipment will work in heavy duty, so the load on the compressor and fan will increase.
2. Unnecessarily, do not turn on the air conditioner for the maximum airflow, as well as the minimum temperature regime, since with constant high power operation of the equipment, internal parts will wear out faster.
3. The air conditioner should work at a permissible outdoor temperature: inverter models - from -5 to -10 degrees, appliances with a "winter collector" to -20 degrees, the main models - from 0 to -5 ° C.
4. Service should be carried out continuously. With intensive use twice a year, with moderate work - once a year. Specialized firms will take relatively inexpensive for such a service, but it increases the likelihood of preventing major repairs in the future.
5. The indoor unit of the system should not be directly affected by sunlight.
6. After a long period of inactivity, the air conditioner enters ventilation mode to run the entire system. So you remove the accumulated condensate and eliminate the unpleasant odor.
7. The air flow coming from the air conditioner must not be obstructed.
8. The outdoor unit must be protected from atmospheric precipitation. For example, make a visor that will prevent snow and rain from getting on the block. You can also install an anti-vandal grille.
9. Once a quarter, clean the air conditioner filters, dry them and replace them.

You can not only extend the operation of the air conditioner, but also make the equipment less polluted. And for this, follow these rules:

• periodically ventilate the room while using the equipment;
• Do not place any objects on the air conditioner and its indoor unit;
• water containers and flowers also do not need to be put on equipment;
• Do not touch the equipment with wet hands;
• do not let animals sit on it.

In what cases can not do without a service center

When buying an air conditioner, get ready for the fact that without service in some cases you can not do. There are several reasons that will force you to turn to specialists:

• the air conditioner stopped turning on;
• some functions have stopped working;
• the device turns off independently;
• dripping water from the indoor unit;
  

  If water drips from the indoor unit of the air conditioner, you should contact a service center

• the drain pipe does not emit condensation;
• when the air conditioner is not cooling;
• after turning on the air conditioner, the eyes begin to watery, weakness occurs or perspiration in the throat.

You cannot eliminate any of these reasons on your own, which means you cannot do without after-sales service.

Video: how to clean the external unit of the air conditioner with your own hands

Now you already know how to maintain the air conditioner, however, the cleaning process of different parts must be carried out carefully, as you can damage the equipment or get hurt yourself. What can we say that a badly damaged element will have to be changed. Also, make sure that the parts of the air conditioner dry well after cleaning. Comprehensive service will help you use your air conditioner for a long time.