Should You Hose Off Your Air Conditioner?

If your air conditioner is outside, you may wonder if you can hose it off. It is, after all, an electrical appliance. The answer is yes, you can clean off your air conditioner by hosing it down. Here are even more tips on keeping your air conditioner free of dirt and debris so it will run as efficiently as possible.

Hosing Off Your Air Conditioner

You should definitely hose off your air conditioner if you have the means. Its main purpose is to draw in air and cool it off, so when it pulls, it drags anything loose, including pollen, grass clippings, and dirt. Ensure the unit is free of anything that could get trapped inside and cause clogs by hosing it down with a hard stream of water from top to bottom. Get in touch with a professional for air conditioning contractors, in Diamond Springs.

Other Ways to Clean Your Air Conditioner

Hosing down your air conditioner can positively impact its performance, but there are other things that you should do to ensure that its performance is not adversely affected. Listed below are a few additional suggestions on cleaning your air conditioner and getting it ready for the warmer months when you’ll need it more often.

Spray the Fins

Besides hosing down the outside of your air conditioner, you can also spray down the fins from the inside. Be sure to reduce the water pressure to a moderate stream and remove the fan before proceeding. Before hosing down your fins, you can vacuum them for a more effective clean. Whenever you vacuum the fins, use a soft brush with caution as they are delicate and can easily be damaged.

Change the Filter

The most important thing you can do to protect your air conditioner from damage and keep it running as efficiently as possible is to keep its filter clean. Airflow must be kept unobstructed for your air conditioner to perform at its best. According to most manufacturers, you should replace your filter every 90 days, but it depends on how often you run your unit.

Clean the Evaporator Coils

Cleaning your evaporator coils is another important aspect of air conditioner ownership. Nevertheless, this is not something everyone can do or feels comfortable doing.

Don't Forget the Indoor Unit

Keeping your indoor air conditioner in good condition is just as important as keeping your outside unit clean. First, disconnect the power, pop out the filter and clean it. It is best to replace your filter at the beginning of the season, but if you replaced it near the end of the season last year, give it a good cleaning and keep up with your clean/replace schedule to ensure maximum performance.

Conclusion

Some parts of an air conditioner may be relatively easy to clean on your own, but you might not feel comfortable tinkering with them. Our team at Essential Air can help if you need help with AC installation in Folsom, CA.