Can You Turn on AC After Washing?
Turn on AC After Washing
An air conditioner is essential for cooling down your home during the summer, but it’s important to keep the unit clean. A dirty outdoor AC unit will decrease your energy efficiency, leading to higher utility bills. Fortunately, you can easily clean your AC by scrubbing the coils and washing the fan blades. Then, you can turn your AC back on and cool your house in no time.
First, you will need to remove the access panel on your indoor air conditioner by unscrewing any screws or bolts holding it in place. Once you have the access door off, you will see the evaporator coils. They are in an assembly that is shaped like an A and they are usually on the bottom of the unit.
Before you start cleaning, make sure the power to your unit is turned off at the breaker box. Next, spray down the unit using your hose. Make sure you cover the entire surface area of the coils, removing any dirt that has collected. Afterwards, you can use a fin brush to straighten any bent coil fins. Bent fins can cause the coils to work harder and this will reduce the effectiveness of your Air Conditioning repair.
If you have a reusable filter for your indoor air conditioner, vacuum it first to get rid of any large particles. You can also wash it by soaking it in a solution of 30 grams of citric acid and 1 liter of water for 15 minutes before letting it dry. Alternatively, you can purchase an AC chemical wash from your local hardware store or online.
You can also spritz your outdoor condenser coil with lukewarm water to help it evaporate more quickly. This will reduce the amount of electricity the air conditioner uses and will make it more efficient.
Can You Turn on AC After Washing?
Once you have finished cleaning your outdoor AC unit, you will need to reattach the access door, screw everything back in place, and turn the power back on. Then, you can enjoy the cool blast of air from your spick-and-span AC unit!
You should also take this opportunity to clean your drain plug on your indoor air conditioner. Keeping it clear of algae and other debris will prevent it from becoming clogged. When this happens, it will stop your air conditioner from removing condensation on humid days and will lead to dripping ceilings.
You can also clean the evaporator coils on your indoor air conditioning unit by using a no-rinse coil cleaner that you can buy at a hardware store. Follow the directions on the can to determine how much cleaner to use and the exact method for application. Generally, you will spray the cleaner on the coil and allow it to dry. Then you can brush the coils and wipe down the fan blades with a damp towel. Once everything is dry, you can screw the access door and the fan back in place and you can turn your air conditioner back on!
Furthermore, the pressure from the water can force dirt and debris deeper into the coils, making it more challenging to clean and potentially causing blockages. Blocked coils restrict airflow, which can lead to higher operating temperatures and reduced efficiency. In severe cases, it may even cause the compressor to overheat and fail, resulting in costly repairs.