In Malaysia, we usually own at least 2 units of air conditioners (AC) (one in the master room and another in the living room) for each household- thanks to the 365 days of hot weather in the country.
In return, most of us worry about the cost of servicing this household equipment and we tend to seek for cheaper alternative which is do-it-yourselves (DIY). But, the question here is, can I clean the air conditioner myself? To be honest, yes you may perform simple cleaning. However, it’s also possible to create a bigger expense if you aren’t careful during the self-cleaning as you might damage the vital components of your AC system.
Therefore, in this article, we will share with you on how to clean your AC and also the components that you may perform the self-cleaning.
1. Air Conditioner Filter
A filter is designed to protect the inner compartment of your air conditioner and its main function is to keep dust and dirt from reaching your coils and blower parts. It is recommended to check at least once a month on the filter condition. Before starting any cleaning, remember to turn off the switch. You may not want to get an electric shock during the cleaning process.
To remove the filter, first you will be needing to remove the AC cover. Detach the washable filter, vacuum it to prevent dust from spreading inside the room and then give it a quick bath. To kill the harmful bacteria, you can mix a solution of equal parts vinegar with water and spray it on the filter. Set aside a 10 minutes before placing the filter under running water. Remember to ensure your filter is completely dry before installing it back to the AC.
2. Air Conditioner Condenser Unit (also known as the outdoor unit)
Cleaning the exterior of your outdoor unit is easy as you just need to remove the debris that may settle on or around the equipment. It is important to occasionally perform the cleaning as dust and dry leaves may blocked the release of the heat energy and your AC will end up using more energy to cool your room which means higher electricity bill for you.
3. Air Conditioner Fins
You only do this if you feel comfortable removing the cover to your condenser unit. Again, we need to remind you to switch off the main switch before you start the cleaning. After removing the cover, use a hose with moderate water pressure and spray the unit from the inside out. You can effectively remove the grime and buildup from the fins in your unit by doing this.
Important note, if you’re not comfortable to disassemble any parts of your AC, please do not do it. It is always better to enlist the help from a professional. There are homeowners who attempt to scrub the parts on their own and end up damaging the fins of the coils costing them a new unit of AC.
Our best advice is to always get your AC to be inspected and cleaned by certified technician such as Taion SmartService, one of the best air conditioner specialist in town to ensure optimum home comfort and performance. Why make your life miserable when all you have to do is book & pay for the service online and wait for the professional team to do their job! In Taion SmartService, there is no hidden charges and you even get to enjoy a special price if you engage us for 5 units of air conditioner or above at a go! Visit smartservice.com.my for more details.
