Over time, every HVAC system becomes less efficient. This is usually due to dirt and grime getting into the system and reducing the airflow, so it’s important to clean the entire system at least once a year, if not more often. It’s a huge task, so many people try to outsource this to the professionals, but if you want to try cleaning it all on your own, this guide will walk you through the steps.
Step 1: Disconnect the HVAC System
Before you do anything else, you need to disconnect the energy to prevent any possible injuries. Look in your breaker box and flip the switch that powers the HVAC system. It should not be reconnected until you are completely finished the process and everything is back in place.
Step 2: Clean the Evaporator Coils and Drain Pan
With the AC unit off, take the panel off the blower unit. The evaporator coils are behind foil duct tape in many cases. Keep a small dish on hand for the screws that hold the door onto the unit.
Now use a soft brush to brush dust, spiderwebs, and debris from the coils. You’ll find that they build up a lot of grime over even just a few months. This drastically reduces the efficiency of the unit, so be sure to remove all the dust and debris. You may also wish to use coil cleaner foam. This is simply sprayed over the coils and it will then drip down to the drain pan. Leave the solution for half an hour and it will foam up and drip off.
Now you can wipe down the coils with a dry cloth and rinse out the drain pan. Hot water with soap is a good way to scrub it. Pour this down the air conditioner drain and then rinse with cold water.
Step 3: Check for Drain Issues
Does the mixture you just poured down the air conditioner drain flush away immediately? If so, you can move on to the next step. However, if the liquid drains slowly, you’ll need to eliminate the blockage that has formed in the drain.
There are a few ways to clear a blockage. You can use commercial drain cleaner, but it’s usually best to pour boiling water down the drain a couple of times first. Often this will dislodge whatever is caught (usually mould) and flush it out. Alternatively, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to suction the blockage from the other end of the drainage tube.
Once you’ve determined the drain is clear, replace the panel and fasten it securely.
Step 4: Clean the Outdoor Unit
Remove the grille by unscrewing the fasteners on it. You should have access to the fan from here. It’s not possible to remove the fan completely, as it will be attached by wires, but you should be able to lift it up and out of the unit.
Clear out any debris that has accumulated under the air conditioning system. Often, pieces of plants and twigs or other types of debris will fall through the grille and land on the bottom of the unit. You can dig these out by hand in most cases, but a vacuum can also be useful.
Step 5: Clean the Outdoor Coils
The coils in the outdoor section of the HVAC system can become quite contaminated and will need to be cleaned thoroughly. You can use a coil cleaning solution or you can make your own, but it’s usually best to use the commercial version. Be aware that it can be quite potent and will need to be diluted and added to a pump sprayer.
Spray the coils thoroughly and then let it rest. The mixture will foam up and clean any stubborn dirt. You can now rinse it off gently. Avoid using high pressure water on the coils and fins, as they can easily be bent and damaged.
Once everything is clean, examine the fins. Some of them may be bent and if this is the case, you’ll need to use a fin tool to carefully move them back into position. If they’re left in their bent condition, it will slow the airflow in the system and prevent it from working efficiently.
Step 6: Clean the Fan
Since you have the fan out anyway, you can wipe it down with a damp rag and remove all the dust that may have collected. Replace it in the unit and close everything up again.
Step 7: Turn the AC Unit on Again
At this point you can turn the power back on. However, the job isn’t done. You have cleaned out the units and the evaporator coils, but there are still many metres of ductwork that has not been touched.
Cleaning the Ventilation Ducts
The average house has around 25-30 lbs of dust and debris in the HVAC ventilation ducts. This can result in allergies and lots of sneezing and coughing around the house. You should clean the ducts at least once a year, but it’s best to do it twice a year to prevent issues with dust and pet dander.
First, you need to block all your registers or vents where the air flows into the room. An easy way to manage this is to simply lift the register and wrap it in a bag or paper towel before replacing it, so no air can get through easily. If you skip this step, you’ll have dust all over your home.
Turn the HVAC fan on without the heating or cooling, so just the fan is running. You should ensure the fan is protected by the filter, to avoid having more dust and dirt falling into it.
The next step is to loosen up the ducts. This requires literally knocking it loose by banging on any ducts you can reach with a hard object, such as a broom handle. Often dust will collect and if it’s damp at all, it will clump together and stick to the ducts. Banging on them will help loosen any pieces that are clinging to the walls.
Now you can begin to vacuum up the dust in the ducts. Go to each vent or register and set the vacuum there to suck up the dust. Use a long brush or narrow broom to sweep around the duct as far as you can reach. Continue the process with each register, removing the covers as you do so. The system fan will help blow the dust up to where you are vacuuming to eliminate most of it.
This is not a perfect system and will still leave quite a lot of dust in the ducts and in the air, but it can certainly help reduce the amount stuck in the system.
Why You Should Hire a Professional
As you can see, this is a job that requires a lot of time and patience. Even if you do everything you can to get the dust out of the ducts, it’s never going to get it all. This is the main reason you should consider hiring a company to do it for you.
Proper HVAC cleaning crews have huge vacuums that are powerful enough to suck all the debris out of the ducts. They also have special agitators that whip through the ducts and knock all the extra stuck on bits loose. There are some big advantages to having the right equipment for the job. You’ll find that the professionals eliminate a huge amount of the crud that has built up in your HVAC system. They can get it clean enough to actually disinfect the pipes, as well.
While it is certainly possible to clean your HVAC system on your own, that doesn’t mean it’s always the best solution. It can be quite cost effective to have a company come in and do the full cleaning. This ensures the job is done correctly, with the proper tools to ensure it was completed successfully. Unless you have access to a vacuum truck, it will be hard to replicate these results.
Cleaning your HVAC system is a must do task, whether you do it yourself or have someone else handle it. Without regular maintenance, the system will eventually slow down and fail, due to the lack of airflow. It will also continue to pump pet dander, fur, and dust throughout the building, which can cause asthma flares and allergies. It’s a simple enough fix, if you’re willing to do make your living environment better.
If you’re looking for a company that can handle your cleaning needs, contact Mitchell’s to learn more about our HVAC servicing options.