Instant Energy Efficiency – How to Clean Outside AC Unit in Two Minutes

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Did you know that it takes a space a lot longer to cool if the outside air conditioning unit is clogged? The good news is that you do not have to call anyone to come and service the unit. In fact, you can do it yourself using a simple garden hose. Not only will you have a unit that is operating more efficiently, but also you will save money since it will cost less energy to cool your home.

How Does An Outside AC Unit Work?

The main function of the unit outside is to pull outward the hot air that is absorbed by the inside unit and redirect it away from the home. A fan functions as the main way for hot air to be sucked in one direction and then spit out on the other side of the unit. In the process, the vents can get clogged and the AC unit’s coil needs to be cleaned. A refrigerant runs through the coils that go across the unit and those coils can malfunction if not maintained properly.

What Would Clog Up An AC Unit?

What kind of debris can you expect to see? Anything from grass clippings, dust, grime, tree leaf build-up or other outdoor debris can get lodged in the vents and make it difficult for the system to operate. As I have demonstrated in the video above, cleaning the coils will help open the passageways for air to flow outward – an essential component of a properly functioning air conditioning system.

How Do You Clean the Coils?

The easiest (and simplest) way to clean the coils is to take a regular garden hose, set a sprayer nozzle to the stream setting and then sweep across the open vents in the exterior air conditioning unit. If the coil fins start to fold, turn the pressure down. Going from up to down in a horizontal direction, you will work your way downward and systematically remove all bits of debris lodged in the coils. Keep in mind that some brands have a hard outer case on them that makes it a little more difficult to clean. In those cases, the vents usually run horizontally. The best way to clean that style of AC unit is to shoot high pressure water sideways, moving across.

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If you have any questions or need some help with your heating and cooling systems, contact us today at 402.290.0896 or via email at micheineman@cox.net. I look forward to hearing from you!