How to Clean Your Air Conditioner?

Last updated on March 26, 2025

Did you know that a dirty air conditioner can increase energy consumption by up to 15%?

Air Conditioners are an indispensable product for every household, commercial and corporate facility. The hot summer seasons would not be tolerable without efficient air conditioners.

This high and growing need is why new and advanced types of air conditioning units are continuously introduced on the market.

Properly maintaining the units is essential for long-term operation, and basic processes like cleaning your air conditioning system are very important to enjoy a high return on your investment.

As for all electrical appliances, air conditioning units suffer from significant wear and tear over time.

Timely maintenance and cleaning are necessary to ensure optimized air conditioner performance for continuously refreshing summers.

Importance of Air Conditioner Cleaning

Air conditioner cleaning is an important process that ensures a healthy and clean indoor air environment for all space users.

A dirty air conditioner might be capable of blowing cool air, however it releases several hazardous agents into your indoor environment, which may lead to significant health complications and hazards and eventually, also to technical problems. .

Below are some of the major reasons why it is important to clean your air conditioning units regularly.

1. Enhanced Air Conditioner Efficiency

Regular cleaning of your air conditioner ensures a higher product efficiency due to the reduced workload. As the product gets dirty, dust and debris accumulate and block the air filters, greatly obstructing normal air flow.

Consequently, the system is forced to work harder in order to reach the required temperature, however, with regular cleaning, your air conditioner will work smoothly and efficiently.

2. Reduced Energy Bills

Air conditioners tend to consume a significant amount of power to maintain a smooth operation. Dirty and clogged air conditioners have to operate more intensely and thus have a higher power consumption.

However, if you clean your air conditioning unit regularly, you can reduce your energy bills and avoid paying for unnecessary and excessive electricity consumption.

3. Prevent Hefty Costs of Repair

A dirty air conditioning unit may also cause greater problems if not maintained on a regular basis. Long term accumulation of dust and debris may damage the unit and eventually lead to a high repair cost.

With routine maintenance and regular cleaning, you can prevent major operational breakdowns and their financial repercussions.

4. Improved Air Quality and Ambiance

Healthy air quality and ambient indoor environment is essential for enhanced comfort. Without proper cleaning of your air conditioner, your indoor air quality can become highly compromised, which may lead to several health hazards and which can also have a negative effect on your well-being.

This is why regular maintenance of your air conditioner is crucial to improve the air quality and the ambient space environment.

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How Often Should You Clean Your Air Conditioner?

It is preferable to schedule sessions for cleaning and maintaining your air conditioning system. The frequency of cleaning is directly correlated to your pattern of usage.

During peak seasons, where you use your air conditioner frequently, you should perform routine cleaning sessions once a month while also checking the dust filters.

As for other periods during which the air conditioner is not used often, it is sufficient to get it checked once a month. Moreover, it is recommended to hire a professional to service and maintain your air conditioning unit to ensure optimal performance of the system throughout the year.

What do you need to clean?

An air conditioner includes several major parts that need to be properly cleaned to ensure optimal performance. It is crucial to know which parts need to be maintained and how to precisely complete the process.

This section will discuss in depth the parts that you need to service to properly clean your air conditioning unit. This will help you ensure optimal cleansing every time to ensure a refreshing output and continued comfort throughout the summer.

Air Filter

One of the most important steps of cleaning your air conditioning unit involves the replacement or cleaning of the air filters. These filters are usually referred to as HVAC air filters

Air Filters have a significant role in the air conditioning system.

They are responsible for filtering dust and particulate matter to ensure better air quality of your indoor spaces. These particulate materials are trapped in the filters and do not get recirculated throughout your interior space.

Condensation Drains

Condensation drains are meant to drain humidity out of your room to reduce indoor humidity levels. However, condensation drains are susceptible to blockage which leads to pooling up of humidity in your indoor environment and reduced drainage.

The condensation drains of your air conditioner may get blocked due to various reasons. The blockage may occur due to insects, such as ants, bugs, due to system and drain quality issues and also due to improper installation.

As your system stops draining the humidity, it may adversely affect the walls, ceilings and carpets inside your space.

If you see water dripping from the indoor unit of the air conditioner, this is a sign of blockage of condensation drains. When your condensation drain gets blocked, always seek professional assistance, and to prevent such blockage, it is recommended to have your unit serviced regularly by an expert.

Evaporator and Condenser Coil

Evaporator and condenser coils are essential elements of every air conditioning system. Over time, your system’s coil can accumulate dust and particles which adversely affect the performance of these coils. As a result, the amount and quality of airflow may get significantly reduced.

Dirty coils often lead to foul smelling air flowing across your indoor space which can cause great discomfort. Damaged coils also fail to optimally absorb heat, eventually lowering the efficiency of your air conditioning unit and causing your system to consume more power in order to reach an optimal cooling level.

In order to prevent specific issues with the system’s coils, it is recommended to check them once every year.

However, for the outdoor units that are exposed to harsh environment conditions and dust, you must check your condenser and evaporator coils every 6 months to keep them in good condition.

Make sure to hire an expert to perform regular maintenance and to complete the required service of your system.

In case of damage to the coils, you must consult a professional to determine the extent of damage and repair options. Attempting to fix the coils by yourself may lead to further damage to your air conditioning unit.

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Step-by-Step Guide for Cleaning Your Air Conditioner

Here is a general step by step guide to help you optimally clean your air conditioner. Following these simple steps will result in precise cleaning and will subsequently improve the performance, reduce the power consumption and enhance durability.

1. Turn OFF the Power Supply

Turning OFF the power supply of your air conditioning unit is the first step of the cleaning process.Cleaning your system without turning OFF the power supply may lead to serious hazards which can be easily avoided by cutting off the power supply in order to safely perform the cleaning.

2. Clean/Replace Air Filters

Depending on their condition, use and filter type, proceed to clean or replace the air filters. Clean the air filters thoroughly and reuse them if the filters are reusable. On the other hand, if your system uses disposable air filters, replace them with new ones for better performance.

3. Clean Condenser Coils

In order to clean the condenser coils, remove the side and top panels of the unit. Using a soft brush, gently brush the dust off the condenser coils, or vacuum the coils from the inside for precise cleaning. It is recommended to use an air conditioner coil cleaner to remove sticky dirt from the coils.

4. Clean Debris From Condenser

Clear the base of the condenser of all types of debris and leaves and allow it to drain properly. Clean the fan blades with a vacuum cleaner and lubricate the parts surrounding the blower fan and motor. Tighten any loose parts and carefully reassemble the condenser once the cleaning is complete.

5. Examine Refrigerant Lines

Refrigerant lines are insulated with foam to minimize heat loss as the refrigerant travels through them. Examine the refrigerant lines thoroughly for damaged spots and replace the foam where missing or damaged. Alternatively, you can wrap the tubes with insulation tape.

6. Test the Air Conditioner

Once you have completed the cleaning, reassemble your system’s parts and test the performance of the air conditioner. Make sure that the unit is properly operating and that it’s not causing any abnormal noise while it’s running. Once everything is running properly, the cleaning procedure is complete.

Cleaning Your Air Conditioner – Conclusion

Air conditioner units are essential for all households to ensure that the space is comfortable during the hot summer season. Proper cleaning and routine maintenance are crucial to maintaining a high performance level of your air conditioner systems.

With regular cleaning and efficient service of your appliance, you can expect consistent performance, enhanced durability and a refreshing indoor environment throughout the year.