Find out how to clean you HVAC split system by following these simple instructions.
First of all, don’t turn on your air conditioner if it has been off for months. If you do, even for a few seconds, all you will do is spray dirt and bacteria into the room.
It is most common to clean your air conditioner before and after prolonged use. That is: at the beginning and end of the summer. But if your air conditioner has a heat pump you should also clean it at the beginning and end of winter.
Cleaning your air conditioning unit is not complicated and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. However, if you run into any trouble, are not sure if you can damage it, or it stops working after cleaning it, please contact us to send an HVAC technician.
1. Clean the filters
The filter’s mission is to ensure the quality of the air you breathe by collecting dust mites, bacteria and viruses. To clean it, open the lid of the lower split, take out the filter holder and vacuum it gently with a vacuum cleaner. If you find it very dirty, you can immerse it in cold water, never hot! You could damage it. You can even brush it with antibacterial soap and rinse it with plenty of water.
Dry the filter in an area where there is no direct sunlight or other heat source. Remember to thoroughly clean the tubes in the split behind the filter. This will remove bacteria. Leave it open for a while to dry. After a few hours put everything back in place.
2. Clean the inner split
Carefully clean the split with a little soapy water, concentrating especially on the grilles, a place where a lot of dirt accumulates. When you have finished, dry the area with a clean cloth.
3. Check the outdoor unit
This step is best done by a professional, but if you are confident about it, you can do it yourself. Check that both the air inlets and the drainpipe are not clogged. It is also advisable to clean the exchange coil with a brush or pressurized air for proper operation.
4. Check the refrigerant gas
Inspect your refrigerant charge to make sure there are no leaks. If your appliance requires many charges of gas during a single summer, you have a leak.
Find it and fix it. If you don’t know how to do it (which will be the most common) contact a professional.
5. Use your air conditioner responsibly
A temperature around 75 degrees is more than enough to achieve a comfortable environment. Do not constantly change the temperature, as this will result in higher electricity consumption. And when you are going to say goodbye to your system until next season, cover it with a protector.
Finally, remember to turn it off. Let’s be honest, how many times have you gone to bed with the air conditioning on? Be responsible: don’t overspend.
