How to Clean an Outdoor AC Unit
Cleaning an outdoor AC unit helps keep it functioning properly. Most businesses and homes have air conditioner units that use a comprised unit on the outside. Keeping your unit cleaned and well maintained helps cut down on future repair costs. Most of the outside cleaning can be done by yourself without having to call in a professional for help.
Items Needed to Clean an Outdoor AC Unit:
- Cloth
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Electric motor oil
How to Clean an Outdoor AC Unit
- Make sure your air conditioner unit has been turned off. Wear hardware gloves to avoid scrapes and scratches. Remove the outer side layer of the outdoor unit. You may need a screwdriver to unscrew the screws. Take a shop vacuum and clean the air conditioner unit to the best of your ability. Do not bend the condenser fins; these are small pieces that look similar to aluminum. Remove any grass, weeds or other type of debris that may have been trapped in the unit.
- Locate the grille, this should be at the very top of the unit. Unscrew it and remove it slowly. Be careful because the fan may try to come up with it. Take a cloth and wipe the fan clean and apply one or three drops of electric motor oil into the lubrication holes; this is near the bottom of the fan.
- After you have wiped the fan completely down put the fan and the grille back in place. Do not forget to secure all screws back in place. Allow the unit to set overnight. Do not turn it back on.
- Turn the power and air conditioner thermostat back on. Put it on a cool setting. Listen to see if the air conditioner unit makes any strange noises. If it does you may have damaged the unit. Pull back the insulation on the main pipe to your unit. Check the pipe to see if it feels warm or cold. It should feel cold; the rest of the pipes should be warm.