Knowing how to clean AC coils is a money-saving DIY skill, an easy way to maintain efficiency and save on energy costs. Regular, bi-monthly coil cleaning with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner during warmer months will keep your AC unit in great working order for years to come.
Cleaning the inside coils in not difficult, and there are many ordinary house hold detergents, and cleaners that will do a very good job. Things like Simple Green, and formula 409, and the like, all make excellent coil cleaners for inside or outside coils.
AC Coil Cleaner Method: Compressed Air
Cleaning the indoor evaporator coil with compressed air will blow dust and debris inside the home. Using compressed air can be a quick and reasonably effective method to remove surface dust, dirt and debris from the coil.
If you don't want to do that, you can try a decently strong mix of dish soap and water in a spray bottle. It may not be as effective as coil cleaner depending on how dirty the coils are, but it won't damage anything as long as you rinse it thoroughly.
Signs Of Clogged Coils
This could manifest itself through reduced cooling power, increased energy bills, musty odors, or excessive condensation on windows and walls. Additionally, the AC unit may make louder noises than usual or be struggling to keep up with demand.
Signs that your AC coils need cleaning include reduced cooling efficiency, longer cooling times, and higher energy bills. If you notice these issues, it's time to clean the coils.
You could also use a homemade mix of water and mild detergent (like dish soap) instead of commercial chemical cleaners. After cleaning the coils, it's also a good time to inspect the other parts of the unit. Inspect the condensate drain pan and remove anything that doesn't belong there.
While Dawn dish soap is a versatile cleaning agent, it's not recommended for cleaning AC coils due to its chemical composition. Household cleaners like Dawn may not effectively remove stubborn buildup and could potentially harm the coils or other components of the system.
Spray. Next, spray a generous amount of WD-40 in the cooling fins of the A/C, going from left to right. Let the solution sit for 15-20 minutes. This cleaning agent will expertly go deep into the cooling fins, while any other cleaning solution would only clean them up from the outside.
Use a hose to spray your AC unit from the inside outward, without soaking the disconnect or the electrical components inside the access panel. Apply cleaner to coils. To ensure foaming, use a pressurized, pump-up, or spray applicator. Avoid spraying onto electrical wires or connections.
Potassium or sodium hydroxide are widely used as active ingredients in coil cleaners.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
Here's what you'll need: Soft Brush: A soft-bristle brush is ideal for gently removing dirt and dust from the coil's surface without damaging the delicate fins. No-Rinse Coil Cleaner: This specialized cleaner is designed to dissolve dirt and debris on the evaporator coil without rinsing.
How Long Must I Wait After Coil Cleaning Before Turning On The Air Conditioner? Before using the air conditioner, make sure it is totally dry. After cleaning the coils, wait 30 to 60 minutes before turning on the air conditioner.
The good news is that you absolutely can spray water on your air conditioner if it needs a cleaning, and nothing bad will happen. Spraying water on your AC's condenser also helps it run more efficiently. In fact, your condenser needs a regular spritzing in order to keep doing a good job.
Spray the coils down with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.
Let the Simple Green sit 10-15 minutes to penetrate heavier soils, and then hose it down again. After the coil cleaner has dripped off the coils, examine the coil surfaces for any areas that may need another application, and repeat this step as necessary.
Still, about ¼ of a cup of vinegar will do the trick in most cases. As for the frequency, you can get good results by cleaning the coils every month or every couple of months. Naturally, cleaning the coils can be time-consuming, especially when other AC maintenance tasks are added to the solution.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and debris from the coils gently. Apply a no-rinse coil cleaner or a mild detergent and water solution to the coils, allowing it to sit for a few minutes. If necessary, use a soft brush to gently scrub any stubborn dirt.
Hydrogen peroxide is a great solution to use for disinfecting. You will be needing this to give a final spray on the areas where air flows in and out to prevent mildew from growing. Just dilute it with water in a spray bottle, and you got your perfect sanitizer.
Cleaning AC units reduces electricity bills.
A product like Air Conditioning Coil Cleaner removes counterproductive dirt and oxidation on air conditioning coils. When fins and coils are clean, air circulates more fully and AC systems operate and cool more efficiently, reducing the unit's power consumption.
It's best to clean your AC coils at least once a year, ideally during the spring before the cooling season begins.
It's perfectly fine to hose down an air conditioner unit, and it's recommended on a regular basis. A condenser's main function is to draw in air from outside. It also brings in pollen, dirt, leaves, dust, and grass. You can just rinse the unit with running water, rinsing the machine from top to bottom, and it'll work.
Most HVAC professionals recommend AC coil cleaning once or twice a year. If dust and dirt build up on the coils, major problems can occur. The AC coil cleaning cost is around $100 to $400 as of 2024, according to Homeguide (for an evaporator coil), and up to $700 to remove and clean the coil.