Twice in five years I’ve cleaned my outdoor AC condenser, and both times I’ve been amazed by the amount of dirt and  leaves I’ve found. Fortunately, cleaning your outdoor coil is a task that any homeowner can accomplish, and it doesn’t take very long. A good cleaning will help your AC unit to function more efficiently, and potentially make it last longer too. Read on to learn how I removed the fan, outside panels and scrubbed away a lot of dirt and debris from my outdoor AC condenser. Editors note: This post originally ran in August 2009. In a related post about AC maintenance, one reader asked about cleaning an outdoor condenser unit, which prompted us to update this post with more pictures and information. If you find it helpful, give it a +1. Else, leave a comment and we’ll try to make it better. The coil transfers heat from your home to the outside, and this process works best when air can move freely. That’s why outdoor units have those big ‘ol fans. When dirt and leaves block up air passages, it’s that much harder to cycle enough air.

Plus, dirt and even dust can settle on the AC fins making them much less efficient. This in turn raises operational costs and shortens the lifespan of your compressor. This project doesn’t require much in the way of tools. You’ll need a nut driver to remove some metal screws, a hose, and a scrubber. I’ve got a handy brush that allows me to attach the hose and pump water through the bristles. Cleaning my condenser is pretty much the perfect application for it. It’s best to start by turning off the breaker supplying power to the unit, and hopefully your panel is labeled better than mine. Next, remove any nearby obstructions. Most installation manuals will let you know the minimum clearance around and above the unit. If you don’t have access to the manual, try for at least two feet. My unit has louvered sides held together with a lot of metal screws, and I’d estimate I removed about 30 screws all together. Fortunately, they’re all the same. Just keep track of where they all go.

If your unit has a grill instead of louvers, don’t even bother taking the sides off. You can effectively clean everything as is. You’ll see screws around the perimeter, at the corner where the top and sides meet (not the screws circling the fan). After you remove all those screws, the top (and fan) can be lifted off. Be careful because the fan is tethered with electrical wires. power inverters ac convertersIf the installers had any sense, they left a generous length of wire and you can lean the top nearby.portable air handling unit This picture shows the electrical compartment.uv light for ac unit cost And here you see the compressor. The side grills have more screws at all the corners and along the bottom edge. After you remove these screws you’ll see how the sides overlap and can be lifted up and off.

It’s a good idea to remember where each panel was located. They should be identical, but this’ll help ensure that screw hole line up when you put it back together. Use your hose and brush to clean the grills, and hose down the fins (do not scrub the fins!). The fins maximize surface area for the heat exchange so if you accidentally mash them together, they won’t work nearly as well. Even an invisible layer of dust decreases efficiency so run your hose over everything (except the electric). I think this was the beginnings of a nest. You can see the fins and a few places where the fins are bent- probably from when the previous owner had the compressor replaced. This shows some of the gunk I found on the fins. And here’s everything bright and clean. What do you think? When was the last time you cleaned your outdoor unit?Do you need HVAC information or troubleshooting tips to help care for your heating and cooling systems? Cedar Falls Heating & Air Conditioning has compiled our most frequently asked questions regarding HVAC repair information.

Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions or are in need of immediate service. Do I need to replace my furnace filter during the cooling season?The furnace filter should be inspected/replaced at the beginning of the cooling season. If members of your family have spring or summer allergies, there are filters that can be purchased to help remove pollen and other allergens from being pulled into the house via the cooling system. How often should I have my A/C unit inspected? Cedar Falls Heating & Air Conditioning recommends having your A/C unit inspected by a qualified service technician every 2 years. Should I cover or wrap my A/C condenser during the winter to prevent corrosion?Covering or wrapping the condensing unit only provides a warm place for mice to make a nest and chew on wires in the unit. What can I do myself to prevent my A/C condenser from failing? At the beginning of the cooling season, you can take a garden hose and wash the outside condensing unit down to help eliminate the possibility of seeds from trees, grass clippings, and other debris from getting caught in the unit.

These things can prevent the unit from operating efficiently. What do I check first when my furnace isn't working? You should first check to see if your breaker is on. How do I know if my filter is inserted correctly? Filters have arrows on them to illustrate the air flowing from one side to the other. A properly installed air filter should have the arrows pointing in toward the furnace. How often should I have my furnace inspected? Cedar Falls Heating recommends having your furnace inspected once a year. It is a simple, low-cost way to ensure the comfort and safety of your home throughout the winter. How often should I inspect/replace my furnace filter? Filters should be inspected/replaced every month during the heating season. It's important to remember that dirty air filters are the most common cause of inadequate heating performance. My filter is clean, but there is still noticeably less than normal air flow. What could be wrong? Check the intake pipe located outside of the house.