How To Clean Your Air Conditioner Like A Pro
By Donald Grummett, Fri Dec 9th

February 2, 2005

Jack Frost is nipping at our nose and Santa Claus has just left.The eastern seaboard has just received their third blizzard fora total of over 125 cm (56 inches) of snow in one week. So, whoin their right mind would be thinking about window airconditioners at this time of year?

Call me crazy, but I am.

It is a good time of year to start this project. Firstly, itkeeps ones mind sharp for the coming spring. Plus, it allows youto try out those new tools you got for Christmas. Mainly though,it is a good winter project because by the time spring arrivesyou will be too busy to think about this job.

Very little is required to clean a window air conditioner,except lots of patience. If patience is something you lack thenit is a job you should turn over to the local applianceserviceman.

Tools ---------------------- ·Tin can or container (old muffintin works well also) ·Vacuum cleaner ·Long handled brush (an oldtoilet brush works well) ·Oil can ·Rags ·De-greaser or spraydetergent ·Selection of screwdrivers (Philips, Flat bladed, 1/4"socket head) ·Fin tool (optional) ·New filter (if disposabletype)

Lets get started -----------

1. Start by removing the filter from the front grille. If it ishidden behind the grille proceed to step 2. If it is adisposable filter simply replace it with a new one. Other typesare made in a plastic frame and can be cleaned and reused. Toclean a filter lay it flat in the sink and sprinkle surface withpowder laundry detergent. Then cover with about one inch of hotwater. Just enough so the filter is submerged. Soak for 15minutes. Remove from water and rinse with warm water. Hang up todry while proceeding to next step.

2. Next, remove the front grille from the main body of the airconditioner. They usually pivot on two spring clips at thebottom. It is usually removed by pulling the grille gentlyforward while pushing it down at the same time. If there isresistance then look for hidden screws. Look near the top edgeof the grille or behind the control knob door. Once removedplace the grille aside until later.

3. Carefully remove metal cover of air conditioner to exposeinner workings. Once all the screws are removed lift the coverstraight up. Do not let it hit the other parts as it can havesharp edges. This is where the old can comes in handy (ice cubecontainer or muffin tin works well also). Use it to keep trackof all the screws you will be removing. An air conditioner willoften use a number of different types and sizes of screws.Segregate them from each other or confusion will result when westart reassembly.

4. Check the fan motor for any oil holes or oil plugs. If themotor has oil plugs they are usually rubber. Use caution whenremoving because the rubber may have become brittle. Often theywill break off in the oil holes resulting in a blockage. If thisoccurs try to remove the broken plug by using a pin of the tipof a small screwdriver. Once the fan motor oil holes are exposedadd a few drops of oil to each end of the motor body. Use ageneral purpose (3in1) oil or clean motor oil. A #30 oil issufficient. The natural tendency is to over-oil. Too muchlubrication is as bad as not enough. Therefore only 3 or 4 dropson both ends of the motor body is sufficient. Add the oilslowly, pausing a few seconds between each drop. If you add ittoo quickly over-lubrication will result.

5. Use the brush to remove surface dust and dirt from theevaporator (front fins). Use an up and down motion. Do not goside to side or allow the fins to be bent. The fins are verysoft aluminum and can be damaged easily. Once surface dirt isremoved, spray with de-greaser or cleaner. There is a goodproduct on the market called HVAC cleaner. As the name impliesit is meant for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner coilcleaning. If this is not available the Fantastic Spray cleanerused in kitchens and bathrooms works quite well. Let stand about15 minutes or as per instructions on de-greaser can. This willallow cleaner to loosen any hidden dirt. Remove dirt and excesscleaner by slowly pouring warm water into fins. Do not allow thewater to enter any electrical connections or components that maybe near the coil. As an added precaution cover the motor withone of the cloth rags. to protect it from the water. Do not useany form of high pressure air or water because this can drivedirt farther into fins. Also, use extreme caution as these coilsare filled with high pressure refrigerant.

6. Straighten any bent fins. Use a fin comb if available. If nofin comb then use something soft such as a Popsicle stick.Straightening the fins will increase the efficiency of the airflow through the coils. This adds to the overall cooling effectproduced by the air conditioner.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the condenser (rear fins) coil. Aplastic cowling usually surrounds the condenser fins. If so,check the top edge to see if it will lift or open. If it opensthis will allow easier access to the condenser fins. Again usecaution because the condenser coil is also filled with highpressure refrigerant.

8. Wipe any dirt buildup from both fan blades using a soft rag.Do not bend blades. This would cause a vibration that would harmthe motor. 9. Vacuum all surfaces including front and back ofgrille assembly. Do not forget to vacuum underside of metal airconditioner cover. If the cover contains air holes clean themthoroughly. If necessary use a damp rag. 10. Drain any waterleft in the base and allow it to dry for few hours.

11. When completely dry plug in air conditioner and testoperation. If everything appears okay unplug and beginreassembly.

Reassemble and test -------------

12. Once reassembly is complete, retest operation to ensurereplacing the cover has not affected anything. Adding the coverwill often twist the frame and can cause interior parts to moveout of alignment. This may cause the fan to become noisy. Tocorrect for this problem remove the cover and realign to themain body of the air conditioner. Reinstall the cover and testfor noises every time 2 or 3 additional screws are added to thecover. Spinning the front blade by hand will let you know ifanything is rubbing against the fan blades.

13. Install the front grille with the new or cleaned filter inplace.

14. Lastly, cover air conditioner with plastic wrap or an oldblanket. Store in a warm dry area. Raise it from floor slightlyby placing onto a couple of pieces of wood. This will protectthe floor from the metal edges of the air conditioner, and alsoprotect the air conditioner from moisture. You’re Finished------------

Repeat this simple procedure every year. If you do, the machinewill be ready for many more years of dependable service.Addendum -------------------

The filter inside the front grille should be removed and cleaned(as in step 1) every month throughout the cooling season. If youare a smoker it should be cleaned every week.

About the author:Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved. DonaldGrummett is an appliance service manager in Ottawa, Canada. Inthe trade over 30 years as both a technician, business owner,and technical trainer. For more information about appliancesincluding FAQ, Stain guide, Recycling, and Newsletter visithttp://www.mgservices.ca