Out of sight, out of mind. This saying has become a cliche for a reason. It’s just human nature. When people, objects, and problems are not in our direct line of sight, we’re more likely to forget they need our care and attention. Sadly, this is the fate of many an outside air conditioning unit.
In order to keep any sort of machine, engine, or mechanical device functioning at its highest efficiency, you’ll have to give it regular care and attention.
You are watching: Taking Care of Business: Cleaning & Protecting an Outside AC Unit
Routine maintenance doesn’t just keep systems from breaking down as quickly.
Routine maintenance helps assets and equipment working in optimal conditions, leading to fewer failures, better productivity, higher profitability, and improved safety.
This is true of things like your computer (run a virus scan!), your car (change the oil and top off fluids!), and it’s also true of your AC unit. This is of special note if your home has a Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning system (HVAC). It simply works better when it’s kept in good condition!
If you’re not familiar with the term, an HVAC system includes either a furnace and AC or a heat pump. Both types will have both interior and exterior units. Today we’re talking about the outdoor unit, which includes a condenser coil and a compressor.
Because this section of your HVAC unit is exposed to the elements year-round, it’s only natural that it will require periodic cleanings to keep dirt, dust, grime, and mold from building up. In addition, units can be affected by nearby trees, bushes, shrubs, and grasses-not to mention small animals.
Routine cleanings help you stay on top of what’s going on with your outside AC unit and keep small problems from building to major ones over time.
Fortunately, a “routine” cleaning need only take place once every year, and it’s not very labor-intensive.
When it comes to AC maintenance, a little really does go a long way!
Read more : How to Open Blink Outdoor Camera
To clean your outside AC unit, you’ll want to set aside at least an hour. If you’re cleaning your unit in summer, consider early morning or late evening to avoid the heat of the day.
Be sure both to turn off the air conditioner at the thermostat and shut off the power to the condenser itself. Either unplug the unit or turn the power off at the breaker.
After donning work gloves, remove any debris from in or around the unit. (We say “in or around” because we’ve seen small twigs and branches grow directly into units. It’s a whole thing.)
Using a small brush, clean the outer fins. Here, you’ll mostly be encountering dried leaves, foliage, and dead insects. A toothbrush will work just fine for this task, as will a small, soft-bristled scrub brush. (Alternately, if you have a shop vac, you can use it with the brush attachment.)
If any of the fins seem to be bent, straighten them out. A butter knife works well for this task.
If any fins seem to be broken, remove them.
Retrieve your garden hose, set the nozzle to “jet,” and spray down your entire unit (avoiding the electrical components as best you can).
It’s time to turn your attention to the condenser coils themselves.
Once you’ve exposed the coils, spray them with the coil cleaner of your choice. Wait for the length of time recommended by the cleaner you’ve chosen, rinse down the unit, reassemble, and allow to air-dry.
It’s as simple as that.
Naturally, if you’re going to schedule a routine AC cleaning, you should take care of it when the weather’s mild. In most parts of North America, that means summer.
Read more : Đánh giá đồng hồ thông minh Casio: Pro Trek Smart WSD-F30
If you’re going to face a cold winter, how can you best protect your outdoor AC unit?
Just as some people cover their swimming pools in the winter, others have asked whether it’s prudent to also cover their outdoor AC units.
According to our friends over at HGTV, that’s probably not the case for most homeowners.
Modern outdoor A/C systems are built very well and tested to ensure that they will hold up in extreme circumstances…The condenser (the big box that sits outside) is outfitted with a durable finish to withstand snow, rain and the heat of the sun. The mechanics and coils within the box are well-designed to hold up to extreme heat and cold, too. The quality of the materials and the product’s finish are a big reason that it’s typically unnecessary to cover the A/C unit in the off-season.
Just because you probably don’t have to cover your AC unit, that doesn’t mean you’re totally off the hook.
Though most AC units won’t need to be covered during the winter, there are still a few situations worth considering:
If you ever have any questions about cleaning or potentially winterizing your outdoor AC unit, we’re always here for you.
Not only do we love to answer questions about HVAC systems, but our team has a combined 160 years of experience in the heating and air conditioning industry!
Here at Metro Heating and Cooling, we’re proud to have spent the last decade dedicating ourselves to offering our customers the highest industry standard for warranties on all our HVAC systems.
We are completely and entirely passionate about serving your needs, no matter the season.
Contact us for your free estimate today!
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
For all my beauties with dark inner thighs, armpits, bikini area and spots, etc, this…
Are you a passionate cook aspiring to embark on a rewarding culinary journey? Whether you're…
Discover the perfect wall colors to complement your grey kitchen cabinets, creating a harmonious and…
Generally, a 10×10 kitchen remodel ranges from $15,000 to $45,000, but several factors could cause…
Sleek and durable, quartz countertops are the latest trend in kitchen and bathroom renovation. Comparable…
IKEA kitchens are designed to be as simple as possible to assemble and install yourself.…