Edit ArticleHow to Clean Air Conditioner Coils Cleaning your air conditioner's condenser coils regularly will let your air conditioner run cooler with less energy and make you feel more comfortable. The best time to clean your air conditioner is in the spring, just before you anticipate using it for the first time in the year. Here are the steps to follow to clean your air conditioner coils. Disconnect power to the air conditioner. Trim away any plant growth around the air conditioner. Detach the outer case or access panels. Remove the top of the air conditioner. Clean and lubricate the fan assembly. Brush away surface dirt from the air conditioner coils. Spray-clean away trapped dirt from the coils. You can do this with just water, or if the dirt is considerable, a biodegradable foaming cleaner mixed with water. Spray the cleaner from the outside in and let it soak in for 10 to 15 minutes. You may wish to re-apply the cleaner and let the second application soak for another 5 minutes.

Before you spray the air conditioner, cover any electric wires or motors with plastic. Rinse away the cleaner from the coils. Inspect the coil fins for any damage. Reassemble the air conditioner. You should only need to fully clean the air conditioner once a year, but if you live near cottonwood trees or dandelions, you may have to clean the unit more frequently during the spring, possibly weekly or even daily. The above instructions can also be used if you own a heat pump, as the external condenser unit is constructed similar to an air conditioner. If you spot any problems during the cleaning process, such as an oil leak or damage to the refrigerant coolers, contact an air conditioner service technician.Outdoor air conditioner units require regular maintenance. Properly cleaning your air conditioner outdoor unit extends its life and minimizes maintenance issues. A clean air conditioner also cools the air more efficiently and can reduce energy consumption by up to 15 percent, according to Cornell University.

Most outdoor units are easily accessible, which allows homeowners to perform maintenance themselves. Units perform best when cleaned twice annually at the beginning and again at the end of the summer cooling season. Locate and remove the air conditioner filter. Filter locations vary depending on your air conditioner, but they are usually found along the air conditioner return duct. ac to dc power supply block diagramIf the filter is not located within the air conditioner unit, look for an access panel on the interior or exterior of your home near the air conditioner location. air conditioner heater through wall unitWash reusable filters outdoors. how much is a 2 ton ac unit installedRinse them with a sharp spray of water from a garden hose to remove the dust and debris in the filter.

Dispose of cardboard and fiber filters and replace with a new filter, since these are not reusable like the metal and plastic variety. Turn off the power to the air conditioner unit. Usually this requires flipping the breaker switch assigned to the unit since most units don't have a separate on/off switch. Remove the top access panel on the unit. This is the panel with the vent openings. Locate the screws holding it in place and remove them with a screwdriver. Set the panel aside carefully without damaging the attached fan or fan wires. Examine the condenser coils on the inside of the unit for dirt, debris and dust. Vacuum the debris from the coils using a shop vacuum, taking care not to bend the fins and coils. Rinse the coils with water from the garden hose after vacuuming. Wipe the fan blades clean with a wet rag. Clear any debris from the fan vents in the panel. Replace the panel on the unit and screw it in place. Turn the power back on to the unit. Things You Will Need Replacement filter (optional) Garden hose Screwdriver Shop vacuum Rags Tip Warning References Cornell University Extension: Maintaining Your Air ConditionerUniversity of Nebraska: Time to Clean Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Photo Credits Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction

Written You can - and it will work for a time.  But the paper filter material is not all that rugged, so you may find it gets holes in it from the air pressure if you do it vigorously.  As Scadi said: if the allergy sufferer feels better, why not.As you can see, they are not crazy expensive and people / research seems to suggest they work.Updated Many people try to wash or vacuum their furnace filters to extend the life. Washing your furnace filter is generally a bad idea. Many filter materials do not hold up well when wet. Washing your furnace filter significantly increases the risk for mold or microbiological growth on the filter itself which will release those mold spores into the air that is circulating throughout your home, also you can never get the filter clean enough, which puts a strain on your unit and restricts your air flow so your furnace has to run a lot longer to reach the desired temperature. Vacuuming your furnace filter is a healthier alternative to washing your furnace filter, but is still not recommended.

Although you may slightly prolong the life of your furnace filter, you will probably make a mess doing it, and a vacuumed filter will release a lot of dust and particles into the ductwork when you first re-install it. Additionally, most furnace filters are made from a delicate filtering material and are prone to ripping or tearing, which will render the filter useless. View our website for more common filters questions. /FA...Written Well,  this question is complicated and the answer is not completely transparent. Like most other things, replacing furnace filters also has pros and cons to it. A number of people wash or clean their disposable filters as a measure taken to avoid allergic reactions, especially when there are children at home. Now, can we really blame people for wanting to keep the air they breathe and the surroundings safe and non-toxic?Of course not, human beings these days have to fight to breathe in good and not have chemical fumes etc. affect their health. The answer however, is that while disposable furnace filters can be cleaned, too much force or a damp cloth may end up ruining it.