Cleaning your outdoor condenser is essential to its performance and its efficiency. Dirt may be clogging its cooling fins and the coolant level may be low. These problems can increase your energy costs and shorten the unit’s life expectancy. Here are the steps your HVAC contractor will take to clean your outdoor central air unit:
- Your HVAC contractor will turn off the power to the unit at the main circuit breaker panel.
- Any visible large debris like leaves or grass clippings that are stuck to the fins or to the louvers should be removed by your HVAC contractor.
- The fins will be vacuumed next. The HVAC contractor will use a soft brush since the fins can be crushed easily. If there are any fins that have been slightly bent, a fin comb may be used to straighten them out.
- He will then vacuum the interior of the condenser. It will be necessary to unscrew the fan in order to do this. It is not removable as its wires will keep it connected to the unit.
- After vacuuming the inside of the condenser, the HVAC contractor will hose the fins off. To get them completely clean, he will start at the top and gradually move the stream of water down to the bottom of the unit.
- After the fins have been hosed off, the HVAC contractor may lubricate the fan motor. Some older fan motors need to be lubricated with electric motor oil that is dripped in via the lubrication ports. If there is a belt-driven compressor at the bottom of the unit, it may also need lubrication.
- With the above steps completed, the HVAC contractor will switch the power to the unit back on.
Your outdoor central air unit should be cleaned regularly to ensure that it functions properly. For more information on air conditioner maintenance, contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. We have been maintaining HVAC systems in the New Haven and Fort Wayne area since 1963.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about central air units and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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