Although your indoor A/C’s evaporator/air handler gets plenty of TLC, it can be easy to neglect your outdoor air conditioner unit, the condenser/compressor, in the process. Left to the tender mercies of the great outdoors, the outdoor unit has to keep operating in optimal shape in spite of fallen leaves, dirt, dust, precipitation, and a wide variety of other debris that can make its way into the unit.
Ensuring the outdoor portion of your home’s split central air conditioning system remains free of debris and ot
her harmful material is a critical part of the maintenance process. If debris blocks the fans or the condenser coil, the lack of airflow can easily cause damage to the system itself.
Keeping Your System Clean and Healthy
For most central air conditioning systems, cleaning your outdoor air conditioner unit is a remarkably easy process. Nevertheless, you can always turn to your contractor whenever you need a helping hand or if you run into a bigger problem with your system. Here are some steps you can take to keep your outdoor condensing unit operating at peak efficiency:
- Remove leaves and other debris from the base of the outdoor air conditioner unit. Make sure to leave approximately two feet of clear space around the unit to prevent airflow restrictions.
- Use a vacuum with a soft-bristle brush attachment to clean the condenser fan grille.
- Remove the fan located on top of the outdoor unit and wipe it down with a damp cloth.
- Use a water hose with moderate pressure to clean the condenser coil fins from the inside out. Allow the unit time to dry before reactivating the central air conditioning system.
Keep your Twin Cities metro area home’s heating and cooling system in top shape with the help of Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. Please contact us to learn more about central air conditioning care.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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