Is air conditioner (AC) duct cleaning necessary?
Split systems, like any household appliances, need regular maintenance and cleaning. This process is quite scrupulous and complicated, therefore, it is best to entrust it to qualified specialists from AC cleaning service. For example, an inverter AC duct cleaning is serviced a little differently than the same industrial or non-inverter air conditioners.
Cleaning the air conditioner involves a number of sequential steps. If you want to clean the split system yourself, check out the steps that are presented below in the article.
When do you need to clean the air conditioner
Split systems, despite all the benefits they bring, are capable of accumulating pollution. In the absence of regular cleaning, dust mites, mold, and fungus may appear inside.
The main signs that you need to clean your household air conditioner:
- An unpleasant odor of dampness immediately after starting indicates a malfunction of the drainage system or dust deposits inside;
- An increase in electricity consumption and a drop in power during operation;
- Strange hum, crackling and problematic sound indicates that the outer casing or fan blades are dirty;
- Condensate leakage;
- The sounds of water overflow indicate a malfunctioning drainage and refrigerant leakage.
If you notice at least one sign, then it is recommended not to postpone the process. The sooner the air conditioner is cleaned, the less the risk of breakage of the split system as a whole.
Algorithm: detailed instructions for cleaning the household complex.
If you decide to remove dirt and dust accumulations on your own, prepare the necessary tools: a vacuum cleaner (preferably a small hand-held one), a container of warm water, a soft sponge or cloth, soap solution, and a toothbrush. Do not forget to look through the instructions for the device in order to accurately understand the design of the device.
Unplug the device before flushing. It is also recommended to cover the floor covering to avoid staining it. Do not forget to wear gloves or glasses that will exclude direct contact of the mucous membrane with contamination.
Cleaning the air conditioner filter
The first thing to start with is flushing the filter. You can get to it in a standard way. Pull the cover of the outdoor unit towards you slightly and lift it up until it stops. You will immediately see the main filter. It is a mesh curved plate. It must be removed carefully.
Lift up slightly, then pull down a little and only then towards yourself. In most cases, you can even visually assess the degree of contamination of equipment. If you notice damage on the filter, then the split system needs full maintenance.
After removing, rinse the plate under cold running water. If the dirt persists, soak the filter in warm water for a few minutes, completely submerging it. Soap can be added to the liquid, just wait until it is completely dissolved.
Rinse everything again under running water. At this stage, cleaning the air conditioner assumes natural drying of the structural element. After – wipe the surface again with a soft dry cloth.
Expert advice:
- do not dry the filter plate with a hair dryer or other heated air currents, so as not to deform the surface;
- the structural element must not be washed more than 6 times, as it may lose its holding properties.
If your split-system is completed not with mesh, but with pocket filters, then they just need to be removed and replaced with new ones.
Cleaning the radiator
One of the problematic processes when cleaning an air conditioner is flushing the radiator. This is a structural part, the purpose of which is to equalize the air temperature to the set parameter.
A radiator is a plate that consists of several small plates. Dust is mainly clogged between them, so you need to remove it with a brush with a hard long bristle. Another alternative is to clean the air conditioner with a handheld vacuum cleaner. The best way to complete the process is to wipe the area with a damp cloth.
If the dirt has gone deep enough, it could mix with condensation and form a dust film. It is impossible to wash it yourself, therefore it is best to entrust the process to qualified specialists.
The radiator can be accessed through the bottom cover. The extraction process is simple and fast.
Fan wash: antibacterial air conditioner cleaning
The functional purpose of the fan is to direct cool air into the room. The accumulated dirt not only disrupts the work of the part, but can also lead to complete breakdown.
To clean the blades, you must prepare a soapy solution: dilute a little liquid or solid soap in slightly warmed water (until it is completely dissolved). The resulting liquid must be sprayed over the surface of the blades.
As soon as you see that the dust has begun to soak and gradually disappear, turn on the fan of the split system to the minimum speed. Drops will start flying around, so it is recommended to cover the floor with newspapers or protective film.
Then turn off the air conditioner and remove the remaining dirt with a toothbrush. Be careful not to apply excessive pressure to the blades to avoid damaging them. Otherwise, cleaning the air conditioner will end up with a full-fledged repair.
Washing the drainage system
Mud deposits clog the drainage system, which contributes to the spread of mold and mildew. Naturally, this spoils the quality of the air that flows into the room.
You can only clean the drainage system on your own. Dirt blockages can be completely removed by spraying with antibacterial steam. This procedure is performed only by qualified craftsmen.
Then – rinse the drain pan and wipe it dry. At this stage, the complex cleaning of the air conditioner is completed. One of the alternatives is to purchase a split system with a built-in automatic cleaning function.
In this mode, the device works “idle”. Parts and internal assemblies are dried under light streams of air.
Even multi-mode smart systems need regular manual maintenance. Prevention of the air conditioner with subsequent cleaning is a prerequisite for comprehensive equipment maintenance.