While air conditioners are pretty durable, their components will need maintenance once in a while, especially if the AC is under heavy stress. One of the most critical parts of the AC that needs caring is the coils. They are responsible for transferring heat, and if they are dirty, they will be unable to do so efficiently.

That being said, if you are interested in cleaning your air conditioner’s coils but do not know how to do so correctly, here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1. Turn Off the Power

First things first, turn off the power to your air conditioner. The easiest way to do this is to look for your home’s breaker panel and find the breaker specific to the AC unit. From there, cut the power.

Step 2. Get Access to the Coils

With the power switched off, go and check out the coils. If you have central air installed, you will need to remove the panel to access the coils. If you have a window unit, you can see the coils from the unit outside your house. 

If you are having trouble accessing the coils, consult the owner’s manual. You will see a diagram of the coils and instructions on how to reach them.

Step 3. Inspect the AC Coils

Once the coils are accessible, give them a thorough inspection. Look around for any large debris and remove them. Be careful when you do this, as the fins of the coils are quite fragile. You will want to remove all the large debris first, then remove any dirt between the coils with a fine comb or brush. Also, keep an eye out for any vegetation growing around the coils and remove them if possible. If the fins are bent, bend them back into position.

Step 4. Spray the AC Coils Down

Now that most of the dirt has been removed, it is time to presoak the coils. Grab a garden hose and spray the unit down from the outside. If you can, try and spray away more dirt.

If you are worried that the water might damage the unit, don’t be. They’re built to withstand rain. However, avoid spraying directly into any electrical components.

Step 5. Apply Some Coil Cleaner

With the unit thoroughly soaked with water, apply some coil cleaner to remove the dirt. It will foam up, removing dirt from hard-to-reach places. Keep in mind that different coil cleaners will have different instructions. Be sure to follow the instructions noted on the cleaner’s container carefully to maximize your cleaning efforts.

Step 6. Rinse the Cleaner

Now that the foam has been sitting for a while, you can rinse it off. Spray down the unit from the top down to ensure the dirt and foam are removed thoroughly.

Step 7. Put Everything Back Together

Thanks to your efforts, your AC’s coils are now clean. All you have to do now is to reassemble the unit together, and don’t forget to power the unit back on!

Conclusion

Throughout your AC coil cleaning effort, always remember to be patient and never force your way to clean any component. The coils are fragile, and you need to treat them with utmost care to ensure that the coils remain intact. That said, if this entire project is too hard or confusing to do on your own, we highly recommend working with AC professionals. They will know exactly where to find your AC’s coils and will be equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to ensure your coils are cleaned thoroughly to restore your AC to its full potential once more.

Good Guys Home Services is a platform that helps homeowners connect to technicians that can provide HVAC-related services. If you require air conditioning services to clean your AC in Indiana, book a service with us today!