Cleaning a Window Air Conditioner

Cleanliness is the key healthy life. Everyone knows this expression. As for air conditioners, they also need timely cleaning. Regular cleaning of this device will improve your health because dust and mold are removed from the air conditioner during cleaning.

To clean window air conditioner you will need a large number of patience. If you do not have this, then leave this activity to specialists. If you decide to do this work yourself, stock up on the following tools: tin can, a vacuum cleaner, a long-handled brush, a rag, oil, a set of various screwdrivers, and, of course, a new filter (if you are using a disposable option).

Cleaning steps

1. Remove the filter from the front grille. 2. Remove the front grilles on the main part of the air conditioner. 3. Carefully remove the metal cover of the air conditioner. 4. If the fan motor has oil holes, fill them with oil. 5. To remove dust and dirt from the surface of the evaporator, use a special brush with a long handle. 6. Try to straighten the bent plates. 7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the back plates (capacitor coils). 8. Wipe off dirt and dust from both fan blades using a wet cloth. 9. Vacuum all surfaces. The front and rear grilles of the air conditioner also need to be vacuumed. Don't forget to also vacuum under the metal cover of the device. If it has ventilation holes, these must also be completely cleaned. 10. Drain the remaining water in the base and let it dry after waiting a few hours. When the air conditioner is completely dry, turn it on and make sure you did everything correctly. Then, after reassembly, turn on the air conditioner again and check if it works properly. This is necessary to make sure that replacing the cover does not affect anything.

Try to carry out the cleaning procedure at least once a year. By doing this, you will extend the life of your air conditioner and also make the air in your room much cleaner and fresher.

During operation of the air conditioner, a layer of dust inevitably settles on its internal elements. Over time, this not only leads to deterioration in the performance of the device, but also increases the likelihood of its failure. You can remove debris and perform cleaning work yourself, without the involvement of specialists. But for this you need to know the procedure and the requirements for the technology for carrying them out.

The question arises: is it necessary to clean the air conditioner yourself, if you have one? whole line specialized companies? Every housewife is able to clean a vacuum cleaner from accumulated debris, be it a model with a receiving package or a built-in filter. The situation is the same with the air conditioner - the only difference is the somewhat labor-intensive process of removing the outer cover. Otherwise, the technology is similar to cleaning a household vacuum cleaner, but with some specifics.

Let's imagine that preventive work have not been carried out for a long time. The accumulated layer of dust can lead to the following problems in the operation of the device:

Deterioration of sanitary conditions in the premises. Dust particles will constantly spread throughout the room. Appearance unpleasant odor indicates the growth of colonies of harmful bacteria.
Deterioration in the performance of the air conditioner. Natural barrier in air filter in the form of a layer of contamination impairs the volume of cooled air flow. A layer of dust on the heat exchanger reduces the efficiency of the entire system.
Increased risk of climate system failure. As a result of the increase in fan air resistance, the load on the electric motor increases significantly.

Having determined that periodic cleaning of the air conditioner is necessary, you can begin this procedure. But how often should it be done? Depending on the system load, experts recommend adhering to the following time intervals:

Household air conditioner – once every 6 months.
Office – once a quarter.
Climate system in places with high traffic (restaurants, cafes, public institutions) - once a month.

Let's look at the procedure for cleaning the indoor unit of the most common type of air conditioner -.

Air filter maintenance

When cleaning the air conditioner, use a vacuum cleaner or a brush with long pile remove accumulated dust. You should work very carefully so as not to damage the internal elements of the device. If there are rusty deposits on the surface of the heat exchanger, you need to call specialists to repair it.

All other work on servicing air conditioners can only be performed by professionals - adjusting the refrigerant level, checking the outdoor unit. This requires special equipment and skills in conducting such events.

A long time ago different types Air conditioners have become almost the main equipment in our homes, since thanks to them we establish an ideal microclimate in our premises and, thus, escape from heat or cold. But there is no technology that does not require regular maintenance, therefore, for efficient and proper operation of the air conditioner, think about cleaning its parts. In what cases can you clean the device yourself at home, and in what cases will you need the help of a specialist?

In what cases is it necessary to clean the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioner?

Equipment should be cleaned immediately in the following cases:

The air conditioner began to consume more electricity.
The climate system began to work worse or its power decreased.
When you turn on the air conditioner, a characteristic crackling or loud noise is heard from the electricity. In this case, you should check the unit's turbines or filters for clogging.
During operation of the equipment, a condensate leak appeared from its external unit.
An unpleasant and pungent odor that appears immediately after turning on the air conditioner. This is a warning that there is a problem with the drainage system or the evaporator grille.
The appearance of gurgling or popping sounds, which indicate that the drainage has become worse or the cooling system is losing refrigerant.
External unit makes a characteristic tapping sound, which means it’s time to clean its body from clogging. The fan blades no longer rotate or catch on another object.

If you treat the air conditioner with care, it will last its entire service life without repair, which is about 11 years of ideal operation.

How to clean your air conditioner at home yourself: step-by-step instructions for different components

Before you start cleaning your air conditioner, determine the types of work that need to be done. The following processes are carried out independently: cleaning the fan, heat exchanger, filters, drainage.

The outdoor unit also needs cleaning, but it is better to hire a professional to do this job. Working at height is not safe and requires special devices and experience.

To clean your equipment yourself, you will need the following tools:

vacuum cleaner;
soft cloths;
a small brush (not very wide and with medium bristles);
Toothbrush;
detergent;
soap;
container with warm water.

Cleaning filters

Cleaning the filters is simple, so everyone can handle this process, the main thing is to follow this sequence:

How to clean the heat exchanger

The heat exchanger affects the quality of cooling and heating of the room, so the procedure for cleaning it should not be ignored.

First, the internal block in the device opens.
It is also important to clean a dirty air conditioner heat exchanger
Get the grate.
We take out the heat exchanger grille
Use a vacuum cleaner to collect all the dust from the grate. The vacuum cleaner should operate at medium power.
It is better to clean the heat exchanger with a soft brush.
Wipe the grill with a slightly damp cloth so that there are no traces of dirt or dust accumulation left later.
Wipe the heat exchanger grill with a rag
We insert the element into its original place and cover it with a lid.
Treating the heat exchanger with an antiseptic
You need to wait a little before turning on the air conditioner.

How to clean the outside of the device

Also, the external unit of the device needs constant cleaning, although it gets dirty much less than the internal one, so it needs to be removed from dust once every 6 months.

For the procedure, a powerful vacuum cleaner is used, which is capable of extracting all the dust from the external filters and heat exchange radiator, as well as a soft brush:

When the outdoor unit is located within reach for servicing, use a compressor. A hose with a fitting is pushed into the housing and the valve opens. This way you will remove dirt outside the air conditioner grille.

How to clean a fan

The fan is located inside the unit, so you need to open the cover to see its blades. The accumulation of dust on the fan prevents it from working properly. You can remove plaque in this way:

The fan cleaning procedure must be carried out carefully and thoroughly so as not to damage the blades.

Cleaning the fan from dust must be done carefully and carefully so as not to damage the parts.

Cleaning the drain

The drainage of the device is cleaned using antibacterial treatment. This process includes maintenance of all equipment components. If you have a steam generator, this procedure can be completed much faster.

The housing, drainage, and filters of the device must be cleaned regularly. This should be done depending on functional purpose equipment and its climatic location:

Equipment drains are cleaned as needed. You can check the contamination of the system channels visually by looking at wet spots..

The service life of the equipment depends not only on the selected model and good installation air conditioner, but also from it correct use. By following simple rules, you will extend the operating time of your equipment.

There should be no drafts in the room where the air conditioner is installed. Close doors and windows to maintain the required temperature, otherwise the equipment will work in increased mode, which will increase the load on the compressor and fan.
Unnecessarily, do not turn on the air conditioner for maximum airflow, as well as minimum airflow. temperature regime, because with constant high power operation of the equipment, internal parts wear out faster.
The air conditioner must operate at the permitted outdoor temperature: inverter models - from -5 to -10 degrees, equipment with a “winter set” up to -20 degrees, basic models - from 0 to -5°C.
Servicing must be carried out regularly. For intensive use twice a year, for moderate use - once a year. Specialized companies will charge a relatively inexpensive price for such a service, but this increases the likelihood of preventing serious repairs in the future.
The indoor unit of the system should not be directly exposed to sunlight.
After long downtime The air conditioner switches on to ventilation mode to run the entire system. This will remove accumulated condensation and eliminate unpleasant odors.
The air flow coming from the air conditioner should not have any obstacles in its path.
The external unit must be protected from exposure to precipitation. For example, make a canopy that will prevent snow and rain from falling on the block. You can also install an anti-vandal grille.
Once a quarter, clean the air conditioner filters, dry them and put them back in place.

You can not only extend the operation of the air conditioner, but also make the equipment less dirty. To do this, follow these rules:

Ventilate the room periodically while using the equipment;
do not place foreign objects on the air conditioner and its indoor unit;
containers with water and flowers also do not need to be placed on the equipment;
do not touch the equipment with wet hands;
do not let animals sit on it.

In what cases can you not do without a service center?

When buying an air conditioner, be prepared for the fact that without service in some cases you won't have to. There are several reasons that will force you to turn to specialists:

You cannot eliminate any of these reasons yourself, which means you cannot do without service.

Video: how to clean the external unit of an air conditioner with your own hands

Now you already know how to maintain an air conditioner, but the process of cleaning various parts must be carried out carefully, since you can damage the equipment or injure yourself. What can we say about the fact that a badly damaged element will have to be replaced. Also make sure that after cleaning, the air conditioner parts dry thoroughly. Comprehensive maintenance will help you use your air conditioner for a long time.

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All owners of a home split system sooner or later face the question ( By the way, we will also look at how to determine the onset of “that very” time): “How to rinse the air conditioner?” Many people answer it simply - call a specialized master and let the person earn a couple of thousand of their hard-earned money. But this is far from only decision this question! After reading this article, you will be convinced that washing the air conditioner yourself is not much more difficult than defrosting a refrigerator or cleaning a vacuum cleaner.

The dust that accumulates in your camera can not only cause a deterioration in the quality of its work, but also cause a breakdown. The following indicates that the split system needs cleaning:

The microclimate in the room has deteriorated significantly - this will be especially noticeable by people suffering from dust allergies. This happens due to the fact that the system blows the dirt particles accumulated in it around the room.
The device began to cool the air in the room much more slowly - due to the fact that dust enveloped the heat exchanger.
It feels like it’s hard for the air conditioner to work - it can hum, squeak, and circulate air with a lot of noise.

Untimely cleaning or lack thereof will lead to serious problems in the operation of the device:

contamination of the internal module;
reducing radiator airflow;
difficult cleaning of heavily soiled filters;
contamination of the drainage system, which inevitably results in freon leakage.

Advice! The filter can be washed no more than 8 times, after which it needs to be replaced! Exposure to water worsens the throughput of the element, which can lead to deterioration of the performance of the entire air conditioner as a whole.

Spicy " symptoms»

Now let’s present the signs by which we can judge that the air conditioner needs immediate cleaning:

Unpleasant odor similar to mold. In principle, this is mold! Various microorganisms begin to multiply on accumulations of dust inside the device. The most terrible consequence This is because the air conditioner inflates them and their spores in the air of the room. If a certain amount of these organisms enters respiratory system a person may develop allergies over time, bronchial asthma and numerous dermatitis.
The device began to consume much more energy to operate than before.
The operating power of the split system with the previous factor not only did not increase, but remained the same or even decreased.
Traces of glaciation are visible on the connecting fittings and highways.

Advice! If you notice traces of rust on the evaporator heat exchanger, then this is a reason to contact service center– a freon leak is possible soon.

Periodicity

Various elements of the split system need cleaning at different intervals:

Filters: at least once a week with intensive use. If your home is on the lower floors, or the external unit faces a busy highway, then you should clean the element during daily operation of the device at least 3 times a week.
The remaining elements of the internal module - twice a year. It is advisable to do this in the spring, before the start of the hot season, and in the fall, when you stop using the split system.
It is best to clean the outdoor unit at least once a year. Ideally, twice, also in spring and autumn.

Cleaning

First of all, we will look at the stages of cleaning a split system.

Step-by-step cleansing

Let's look at the table for step-by-step cleaning of the device - how to wash the air conditioner.

Preparatory stage

1. It would be a good idea to read the operating instructions for the device - perhaps there you will see a clear algorithm for cleaning your particular air conditioner. But the main thing is that you need to know the type of split system filter and how you can clean or replace it.

2. If the device has not been cleaned for a long time, be sure to cover the area near it with newspapers, large polyethylene or old cloth, since dust can literally fall out of the system.

3. Be sure to disconnect the air conditioner from the power source before flushing the air conditioning system!

Cleaning ( replacement) filter

1. Open or temporarily remove the cover " Condera" This is done using a similar method for all devices - pull the part towards you, grasping its right and left sides with your hands, and then push it slightly upward.

2. Remove the special protective grille, which protects the filter from damage and securely fixes it. Grab the bottom of it and pull upward slightly. Feeling the pliability of the part, lower it down and then towards you.

3. Now you need to carefully remove the grille with the filter.

4. Clean it thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner or dry brush.

5. The next step wash the filter in cold running water. If it is very dirty, then you should soak it for a while in a soapy solution, and then rinse it under high pressure water. Aggressive cleaning agents are not recommended!

6. Dry the element naturally, without any exposure to heat. Otherwise, it can easily become deformed.

7. Only mesh filters can be cleaned. Pocket ones will only have to be replaced with new ones.

8. After the filter has completely dried, reassemble all components in the reverse order, connect the power cord to the outlet - the device is ready for use.

Cleaning the heat exchanger-evaporator of the internal module - structures that are tubes in which freon evaporates. This process significantly cools the internal module itself, as well as the air flows passing through it.

The evaporator heat exchanger is an important part of your split system. Therefore it must also be free of dust and ideally absolutely clean. How to flush the air conditioner radiator yourself? Cleaning it is absolutely simple:

1. Disconnect the air conditioner from the power supply.

2. Open its lid and remove the protective grille - exactly as the device manufacturer’s instructions advise.

3. Heat exchanger, the space between the tubes can be removed from dust using a vacuum cleaner, and also cleaned with a narrow brush. Avoid metal and hard brushes - they can damage the element, which will cause freon leakage.

4. If dust combines with condensation and turns into a kind of dirt film, then only a steam cleaner can remove it.

5. Reassemble the components in reverse order. That's all that can be said about how to wash the air conditioner radiator.

Cleaning the outdoor unit

Approach this procedure with caution! We urge you to refuse it if you live in a multi-storey building - the risk is not worth paying for the work of a team of specialists.

In other cases, cleaning can be done according to the following algorithm:

1. Unplug the device from the outlet.

2. Using a damp cloth and brush, remove all dirt accumulated on the surface of the housing.

3. Connect the long hose to water tap or use a special car washing device that releases a stream of water under pressure - you need to thoroughly rinse its contents without opening the casing of the external unit. A steam cleaner is also good for this type of washing.

4. Remove excess water with a cloth and allow the device to dry thoroughly.

5. After all the procedures, the air conditioner is ready to work again!

Cleaning the drainage system

Contaminated with dust, grease, dirt, and sometimes even mold and mildew drainage system is fraught with the fact that water begins to flow out of it not from the outside of the wall, but into the room. And mold tends to grow on the drainage pan, and then on the heat exchanger, and on the inner walls of the air conditioner.

Cleaning it is no more difficult than cleaning an air conditioner evaporator:

1. Dilute a soap solution or dishwashing liquid.

2. Using a small brush, thoroughly clean the inside of the tube.

3. The final stage The drain pan will be washed with the same soap solution.

The only necessary procedure, which we do not advise you to do yourself, when you need to wash the air conditioner yourself, is washing the fan of the internal module - something like a roller with peculiar “ membraned" It is needed to ensure that cooled air is dispersed throughout the room.

If dust completely clogs its membranes, it simply won't be able to do its job and your air conditioner will become useless. The procedure for cleaning it is very specific for a non-professional, and if you do not have the proper skills, you can easily break the element.

But if you are confident in your abilities, then we offer you the simplest and most effective method washing the split system fan:

Protect the wall and floor near the fan from flying cleaning products with large polyethylene, old oilcloth or other waterproof material.
Disconnect the device from the network, open the air conditioner cover, remove all removable interfering elements.
How to rinse the air conditioner yourself? Dilute the soap solution and apply it with a sponge to the partitions -“ membranes» fan. Leave them to “soak” for a while.
Connect the fan to a power source and turn on “light mode”. The air will pass through the fan partitions and blow away soaked scraps and pieces of dust and dirt.
After a few minutes, when everything possible has flown out, turn off the air conditioner again and unplug it from the outlet.
Time for mechanical cleaning with your own hands - use a brush or a small brush dipped in a soap solution to complete the work following air flows.
Wait until the fan dries, then reassemble the components in the reverse order, close the lid - the device can be used!

The video in this article will clearly demonstrate the process of cleaning the air conditioner.

Alternative cleaning

Time does not stand still, so we will introduce you to revolutionary new methods that tell you how to flush your home air conditioner:

Foam-aerosol washing. Through a narrow tube, the product is poured into the system’s deflectors. Then 15 minutes are given to distribute it among the elements. Next, cold ventilation is turned on - the air conditioner operates in this way for up to 5 minutes. And then the “cond” is cleaned: the evaporator is washed, microorganisms are destroyed.
Aerosol washing. The device is turned on at minimum speed, and the spray is sprayed specifically on the “ honeycomb» evaporator, smoothly and evenly. After you have sprayed all the products, you need to turn on the warm mode. So the split system should work for another 10 minutes. As a result, we get a thorough cleaning of the evaporator and air ducts, as well as their disinfection.
Remedy from WYNN’s (pictured). It is necessary to select a mode in which the fan operates at full power and the cooling system does not function. Then " drink up» substance in vent, using the entire can. After 15 minutes, the air conditioner will be ready for normal operation.

Aerosol for cleaning. Suitable for car air conditioners How to wash the air conditioner - do not forget about regular peroxide
Foam cleaner Special product for disinfection
Organic Cleaning Product from WYNN's

Cleaning is only half the guarantee of trouble-free operation of the air conditioner. It is also important to use it correctly and carefully - be sure to close the windows when the device is operating, give it time to “rest”, turn it on/off only using the remote control or special buttons on the case, and not by unplugging the cord from the socket.
Before all cleaning procedures, be sure to turn off the device from the network!
Clean the device with soft tools – brushes and brushes, soft cloth, napkin.
To prevent mold and mildew from forming inside the device, it must be disinfected at least twice a year. For these purposes, a special liquid for washing air conditioners is produced. However, an equivalent replacement would be a regular antiseptic hand spray or another sprayable disinfectant solution containing alcohol. Ideally, you need to spray at least 500 ml of solution at a time. To do this, open the air conditioner cover, remove the protective grilles and filters. Turn on the device, selecting the maximum airflow, but the minimum temperature. Observe where the air is sucked in - the liquid should be sprayed into this area. Let the device work in this way for ten minutes. Don't worry if it smells bad during this time. Then disable " condo", if necessary, wipe it with a soft cloth, return all the elements to their place and close the lid.
Better, as they say, " to see once is to hear a hundred times" Invite specialists to work that you don’t understand. Observe their actions carefully and do not hesitate to ask questions. This is what will help you carry out subsequent cleanings yourself.

That's all we wanted to tell you about washing air conditioners. When developing a certain skill, this is a fairly simple procedure. However, in order to start it, you must have clear example right actions before your eyes.

IN modern houses There are more and more household appliances for various purposes. One of the newest devices gradually entering our lives is air conditioners.

Like any others automatic devices, these products require maintenance. Today we will tell you how to clean the air conditioner yourself right at home, without calling a professional.

Regular maintenance of household appliances

Air conditioner problems

While using the device, you will immediately feel that it is not working at full capacity, that its insides are clogged. To prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside the device, it will need to be cleaned. The indoor unit is located in our apartment, so it will not be difficult to get to it; the external unit is located outside, but you will rarely need to approach it.

Don’t worry, anyone can handle this task with their own hands, even those without general idea about the operation of such equipment. To bring your unit back to life, it will be enough to clean its filter from dirt, inspect the insides and pay a little attention appearance. The indoor unit is subject to less contamination than the external unit, but the operation of the device entirely depends on its functioning.

It is advisable to clean the air conditioner filter from dirt every month when the device operates tightly. If there are people in the house who suffer from asthma or allergies, then you will have to clean more often, for example, once a week. However, once you have mastered the procedure for cleaning the device yourself, you will do everything automatically.

Even the average person can take care of their home air conditioner

What threatens us if we ignore the cleaning of the air conditioner:

first of all, a dirty filter will affect the quality of operation of the device, and the air coming out of it will not be as fresh and clean as it should be;
due to accumulated dirt, the internal unit of the device will emit an unpleasant odor;
the internal radiator of the device will overheat as a result of poor cooling, which will certainly affect the entire drainage system;
the air cooling system will begin to work unstably, after which the device will make various noisy and crackling sounds that we would not want to hear in our homes;
the drainage system of the device will fall into a very neglected state, which may cause condensation to drip directly into the apartment, rather than leaving through a pipe outside the house;
If you want to clean the air conditioner, you will face great difficulties in the form of a huge amount of dirt, mold and other unpleasant contaminants inside the device.

Such conditions will create a favorable environment for the growth of mold, microorganisms, mites, and, as a result, an unpleasant odor inside the device. Therefore, in order not to bring the unit to such a state, it is easier to clean it properly yourself at home, or call a professional a couple of times.

Cleaning the machine

The most important and simplest action that we can do with our air conditioner ourselves is to clean its filter. The filtration system in many devices is identical, there are some features in the models different manufacturers, but they are insignificant. Replacing the filter or cleaning it at home is very simple, as the documentation for the device will tell you about.

The entire algorithm of actions to help clean the filter is described and drawn in the instructions. There you can also find general theory operation of the device, methods for cleaning its other elements, such as the radiator, outdoor unit.

Removing and cleaning the device filters from accumulated dirt

The list of processes for cleaning the filter yourself looks like this:

To remove the filter from the device, you must open the air conditioner cover located on indoor unit, most often it just needs to be lifted up;
To remove small amounts of dust, it is convenient to use a vacuum cleaner;
If the appliance has been cleaned for a long time, and the dirt is old, then take the grille to the bathroom and wash it under running water, but do not use detergents, there is enough water;

Detergents should not be used, as they can damage the filter itself, and during operation, parts of the composition remaining on the grilles will pollute the air entering the apartment.

after washing, the filter must be dried and only then placed in the indoor unit;
special compounds are sold for air conditioners that allow you to disinfect its insides, they are sprayed into the air, and the device is cleaned by running it through; to do this, turn it on like a fan and spray the composition;
Wipe the outer part of the device, including the blinds, with a damp cloth, after which the device can be assembled and started up in normal mode.

Some air conditioners are equipped with disposable filters for air purification, which must be replaced with new ones as they become dirty. Please pay attention to this point when purchasing a device.

Like many other devices, the air conditioner has a radiator (heat exchanger), which is located under the filter or immediately under the cover. You can clean it from dust with the same vacuum cleaner, if you can reach the hose. It is highly not recommended to wash the inside of the device, especially with your own hands, without the help of experts. The instructions for the device talk about steam cleaning, but only professional specialists can clean the device in this way.

Maintaining the device in working condition is not at all difficult

Once or twice a year, you will have to clean the external unit of the air conditioner, located outside, on the wall of the house, from dirt. Most often, the outdoor unit is cleaned after winter. It is very good if the device is secured in an accessible position, but if not, you will have to call the experts.

In many multi-storey buildings air conditioner cleaning outside without special devices impossible. Agree with your neighbors and call a team to clean all devices on your side of the house, prepare for the arrival of summer season when the device is absolutely necessary.

To clean the external unit, you will need to remove the protective grille, clean it of dust and dirt, after which you need to inspect the insides of the external part of the device and vacuum them. Since this part of the device is located outdoors, a large amount of dirt accumulates in it, which we need to remove. After all cleaning procedures, the block is assembled.

External air conditioner unit of a popular brand

In the event of various breakdowns of the device, do not try to repair it yourself, unless, of course, you are a certified engineer and refrigeration specialist. Call the professionals, let them see what is leaking and why the unit is not cooling.

For normal operation of the device, take care of it regularly; there are no particular difficulties in this. But a clean and ready-to-use device will help you regulate the microclimate in your apartment, refresh hot air and ventilate the room.