Step 1: Clean the external unit
Don’t start cleaning your air-con unit without taking off its protective grille first. It’s very dangerous to clean an air conditioner with the grille still on because moisture can damage or short out electrical components inside the chassis. Also avoid using any corrosive substances for this job, as they will ruin the paintwork on the exterior of your AC unit.
Step 2: Clean the indoor unit
The indoor unit of a split-type aircon system is installed within your house and is more exposed to dust than its outdoor counterpart. While dirt accumulation doesn’t have much impact on performance, clear ceilings do reduce ice buildup during the humid months.
First turn off the power supply to your aircon unit. You’ll need to unscrew or unclip the grille protecting the blades of the AC’s fan, so you get full access to its inner chassis for wiping down any visible surfaces with a damp cloth. When doing this, be aware of moving parts like electrical motors and cooling fans that might injure you if they suddenly come into contact with moistened objects.
After that, clean out dirt and debris accumulated in the unit’s ventilation grille (usually found on top of it) using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment. Some older models may require you to manually open their side panels by removing screws or clips and then using a vacuum to clean out the inside of that part.
When the dirt is removed, wipe down any other dirty regions such as fans and vents with a microfiber cloth. If there’s an air filter which you can remove for washing or replacement, do so before you start cleaning your indoor AC unit – it’ll save you some time later on. Best way to get rid of dust from an aircon filter? Simply use your vacuum cleaner again! Alternatively, dampen the microfiber cloth slightly with water if it’s too dusty before wiping over the filters till they look spotless.
Never dry-scrub the inner surfaces of an air conditioner because tiny pieces of debris might scratch its plastics after they’ve dried. Also, don’t use any cleaners or solvents for this job because the chemicals may react with the plastics or other materials used inside your AC unit.
Step 3: Cleaning the air filter
An important part to check every month is your air conditioner’s air filter, which traps airborne debris before they enter into the indoor unit. Air purifiers are great at capturing dust particles but you have to change them often since they can clog up very quickly if dirt accumulates within their porous surface.
When it comes to cleaning filters, it depends on how dirty they become and how big they are. If you only see a few specks of grime on your filter, then just vacuum them off or swipe it away using a damp cloth. If you have to clean out an air filter that’s been accumulating dust for months, place it in water with dishwashing liquid overnight to help loosen grime particles. Next day, rinse the filter thoroughly under running tap water and let it dry before putting everything back together again.
The same rules apply when cleaning out other components inside an AC unit – always switch off the power supply first!
Step 4: Cleaning coils
Have your home’s aircon system gone into an unusually long “hibernation” period? It might be time for you to give your outdoor AC unit a good wash because coils get dirty over time, affecting the efficiency of its cooling system. While some external condenser coils are easily accessible from outside your house, you have to open up your unit’s indoor compartment to get to the internal ones.
When cleaning out a really dusty aircon coil, take off any excess dust with a soft-bristled brush, then vacuum cleaner it. Afterwards, dampen a cloth with water and wipe down metal surfaces here. Don’t splash too much liquid on coils because they contain electric components that can be harmed by moisture! If your AC is in a place where water drips frequently, plug up all entry points for water before turning on its power supply.
Step 5: Cleaning layout foam
Layout foam is a big part of the aircon system because it helps distribute coolant evenly over the condenser coils. So if your indoor unit’s layout foam looks worn out, torn or has lost its stickiness, the best way to fix them (at least temporarily) is by applying some new double-sided tape and laying down new pieces of layout foam on top of it.
Don’t use glue for this job because chemicals in some types can damage plastics and other parts inside your air conditioner – not good! Also avoid using sharp tools when tacking down layout foam so they don’t puncture holes through it either.
SoCool.sg offers AC aircon cleaning services in Singapore. If you are stuck at some point, SoCool.sg can help you with their services. Another way of maintaining a clean home AC unit is by removing the dirt that accumulates on its housing’s interior. Dirt can obstruct airflow and cause your aircon to break down over time, so try not to neglect this step!
A small vacuum cleaner works well at sucking out dirt stuck in corners or you can also use a damp cloth instead if there isn’t much grime around. Don’t ever spray water on electrical equipment because it may short-circuit some parts – trust us when we say this happens often when people DIY their own AC maintenance! And please never use any abrasive tools or solvents for cleaning.
