If you want to make sure that you are not wasting money with an inefficient air conditioner, you need to do your part to clean the condenser unit. Most people don't even know what or where the condenser unit is, but it is very simple thing to clean. Even a quick clean job could dramatically increase the airflow and effectiveness of your condenser, making your system more efficient and cheaper to run. This article explains the best way to clean your condenser unit.
Where Is the Condenser Unit?
The condenser unit is very easy to find because it is the large appliance next to the wall outside of your home. Most people just refer to this as the air conditioner. While this is not technically correct, it is an essential part to your AC system.
Cleaning the Condenser Unit is Vital.
Since it is located on the outside of your home, where it is exposed to the elements, certain vital components will get dirty over the years. In fact, it is a good idea to clean your condenser unit every year before summer kicks in. Luckily, you don't need to open up your unit or mess with any electrical components in order to clean it.
The most vital part of the condenser is the outside walls because they are lined with the condenser coils. These coils can get dirt and leaves blown into them by the wind. This slows down the condensing process and forces the unit to use more electricity in order to transfer heat out of your home and produce cold air that will be pumped into your air ducts. Basically, even a small amount of dirt can have an effect on the efficiency of your system.
The best way to clean your condenser unit is to first power it off. Most condensers don't have a power switch, so you need to turn it off at the breaker. At this point, it will be perfectly safe to spray down your unit with a hose. Be sure to use a strong stream that will knock most of the dirt out of the coil fins. But if your stream is too strong, it could actually bend the coils, so be careful. Having bent coils is worse than dirty coils.
The runoff should be a little dirty. Let the coils dry and bit before powering your unit back on and running your air conditioner. In less than an hour, you can complete this simple job that will probably save you a little bit of money on your utility bills.
Contact a company like Advanced Heating & Cooling for more tips.
