You could have neglected spring-cleaning your air conditioner in Franklin TN, and it is not cooling, as it should. A year’s worth of debris and dirt are now clogging the system’s cooling fins, the coolant level is low, and you notice dirty blower fan filter and other small issues that are likely to affect the unit’s efficiency.
A few things should be left for the professionals; like checking coolant level. However, other tasks you can handle on your own during routine cleaning.
What is the condenser unit?
Most AC systems have two units; the outside unit is the condenser while the inside unit is the evaporator. The condenser contains the fan, tubes, cooling fins and a compressor.
Cleaning the condenser
The fan in the condenser unit sucks in air through the fins. The air then cools the special coolant that is pumped into your home by the compressor and distributed throughout your home by the evaporator using copper tubing. In order to clean the condenser, follow the simple steps below:
Step 1: Turning off the power -; You can turn off the condenser unit’s electrical power by either pulling out the block or switching it to the off position. When uncertain, turning off power to the entire AC system will suffice.
Step 2: Vacuuming debris -; Remove debris such as leaves and grass clippings from exterior fins using a soft brush. Clear nearby bushes, grass and weeds that are within 2 ft. of your condenser unit.
Step 3: Straightening fins -; Gently realign crushed or bent fins using a dinner knife. Make sure the knife does not go in more than half an inch.
Step 4: Removing the fan -; Deliberately, unscrew the top grille. Lift out the fan and place it aside, ensuring that no strain is placed on the electrical wires. Remove any leaves and other debris on the interior surfaces with a soft, damp cloth.
Step 5: Cleaning the fins -; Moderate water pressure should be used on the fins. It is much more efficient if the spray’s direction is from the inside out. Slowly, reinstall the fan.
Once you are done with cleaning and reinstalling the fan, restart your condenser unit. If you require further help on how to clean your air conditioner in Franklin TN, get in touch with the professionals at Chiles Heating & Cooling, for more information feel free to click here.
