HVAC System Cleaning Tips

HVAC units work to heat and cool the home as well as filter the air inside the home. Over a 12 month period, most of these systems will accumulate a great deal of debris and dirt. This not only works to ruin the air quality inside the home, but also works to reduce the overall efficiency of the unit itself. By participating in regular cleanings, you will be doing your part to ensure better air quality and unit functionality. In this article, we will outline the steps required to get your drive running smoothly.

Air conditioner

Step 1 – Outside the house, you will find a condensing unit. Unplug unit or switch circuit breaker to turn off.

Step 2 – Vacuum the unit to remove debris and dust along the edges. If there are weeds or grass nearby, employ the use of a weed beater to clear the area as a way to avoid clogging.

Step 3 – Using a screwdriver, remove the screws from the top of the condenser and lift the top open. Be careful when lifting the cover so as not to damage the fan. Next, use a hose to spray down the condenser, thus cleaning out any dirt or debris.

Step 4 – Unscrew the cap from the condenser drain line. Pour yourself a cup of bleach and pour it down the drain line to kill any bacteria or algae. Let the bleach sit for about an hour and connect a wet/dry vac without the paper filter to the drain line. Run the vacuum for five second periods to remove dead algae and bleach without damaging the line.

Step 5 – Remove the cover that covers the indoor unit by pressing the access button. Pull out the filter, inspect it for debris and dirt. You may need to replace the filter if it is too dirty.

Heating

Step 1: Remove the access panel to open the indoor unit.

Step 2 – Move the circuit breaker to the off position to turn off the unit.

Step 3: Vacuum blower compartment and unit burners. Remove all the dust you can.

Step 4 – Remove the retaining nuts to gain access to the fan control panel. Remove panel and allow control to hang. Unscrew the retaining bolts to remove the fan and clean the fins with a soft brush.

If you have completed the steps outlined above and are not seeing any improvement in your air quality or unit performance, it may be time to consider a new unit. Call your local HVAC specialist and schedule an appointment to assess if repair or replacement is needed. Your HVAC technician will be able to provide information to help you make a decision about the future of your current HVAC unit.