Does it seem like your central air is not as effective as it used to be? If you haven't noticed that your air conditioner is not as productive as it once was, you might actually be able to fix the problem on your own. One of the best and most effective DIY repairs is to clean the condenser unit. This article explains how to clean the most vital parts of your condenser. By doing this simple cleaning, you could end up decreasing your utility bills and improving airflow.
Targeting the Coils
The condenser unit is the large appliance on the outside of your house. Most people simply call this the air conditioner, but in reality it is only one part of an AC system. Nonetheless, it is vital to normal operation of your system. Most importantly, you want to target the condenser coils. The coils are easy to identify because they line the inside and outside of the condenser walls. If you look into your condenser from the top, you will notice that the walls are lined with sheets of aluminum. The same aluminum sheets also line the outside walls. This is directly connected to the coils, so it is a vital part of the heat transfer process. You will notice small rows in the aluminum with little ridges that stick out. If the ridges are clogged with dirt, the heat transfer can be dramatically slowed down. Usually, the exterior walls will be dirtier because they are more likely to get caked up in dirt. However, it is still worth cleaning both sides.
Cleaning the Coils
You can use mild soap and water to effectively wash the aluminum. In fact, you can use car wash soap to help break down the dirt before spraying it out. You usually don't even need to use any scrub brushes or sponges to remove the dirt. If you do use some sort of cleaning device, be careful to not bend the aluminum. The ridges are very thin, so too much pressure could cause them to bend flat. In fact, it is even worse to have bent ridges, so be careful.
This is a simple project that is virtually free. Without spending any money, you can ultimately reduce your monthly bills. At the same time, you can increase the lifespan of your condenser unit by reducing pressure on the engine and ensuring the fans do not overheat.
For more information, contact local professionals like GNL Inc.
