Nowadays every home have HVAC system in their home , so people need to know how to clean it by themselves.
Your air conditioning unit is a big part of what makes your home an oasis of rest and relaxation. Over time, you might notice your unit working harder to achieve the same level of cooling as it once did. Likewise, if you have a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC), the heating may become less effective over time.
Cleaning your air conditioner is a critical element of maintenance, which will keep your system healthier for longer.
Here are nine do-it-yourself, cost-cutting and energy-saving HVAC tips that add up to better long-term efficiency:
1. Change your air conditioning filters once a month. Clean filters enable your unit to run more efficiently, causing less wear and tear on the equipment.
2. Perform a visual inspection of air conditioning ducts to ensure they are not leaking.
3. Replace or install weather stripping around doors, windows and baseboards. Cracked or worn weather stripping allows cool air to escape. Replacing weather stripping annually could result in a 15 percent savings.
4. Make sure that your home is well insulated. Fiberglass insulation is the easiest to install and the most effective. Insulation with an R factor between 30 and 49 is effective and can save consumers up to 10 percent.
How to Clean Your AC Unit Inside
- Open Up the AC Unit: Your blower unit will have a door to the evaporator coil. Depending on your unit, you might have to remove foil duct tape. There are often a few bolts or screws holding the door in place.
- Turn Off the Power to the Air Conditioner : Air conditioners have a lot of moving parts, and because safety is paramount, you should turn off the power at your breaker box. This means you won’t have any lights, so this is definitely a daytime project. If your indoor unit is somewhere dark, like the attic, you will want to set up adequate lighting.
- Clean the Air Conditioner Evaporator Coils : If you have a soft brush, use it to remove dust from the coil. This dust will consist of whatever particulates populate the inside of your home. This includes skin cells and sometimes pollen, so if you’re prone to allergies, you may want to wear a mask. The best cleaning solution is a no-rinse coil cleaner you can buy at your local home improvement store. This spray foams up and then drips into the unit’s drain pan, taking dirt and dust with it. Spray the foam on as evenly as you can, and get it in all the small areas you can’t reach by hand. The best time to do this is on a warm day, so that when you turn the unit back on, the AC condensation rinses off the coils.
- Close the AC Access Panel: Reattach the access panel, using the same screws you took out in the beginning of the procedure. If you have HVAC metal foil tape, use it to seal the top and bottom of the access panel. Don’t cover up the manufacturer’s label, as a technician may need it to perform maintenance or make repairs on the unit.
