The efficiency of your air conditioner depends on several factors. One of the most vital factors is the condenser unit. The condenser unit is the large appliance on the outside of your house. In fact, you might even just call this "the air conditioner". While it is technically a condenser unit, it is a vital part of the air conditioning, airflow and heat transfer processes. And, since the condenser is located on the outside of your home, it can be affected by the elements. The most common problem is that dirt and leaves get blown into the condenser coils, slowing down the heat transfer process. This article explains how to clean dirty condenser coils.

Shut Down the Power

Before you clean your coils, you want to properly shut down your condenser so it is safe to work on. Since most condensers don't have a typical power switch, you will need to hit the breaker. To be safe, you should also turn off your thermostat, so there is no risk of your power turning on while you are working on your condenser.

Washing Away the Dirt

First, you want to try and clean your coils with just water. Often, with a strong hose stream, you can spray all the dirt out of the coils. You might need to use some soap or liquid degreaser to help break down the dirt, so you can wash it away more easily. If the dirt seems to be stubbornly stuck to the aluminum, you can use some sort of scrub brush. But you have to be careful because you don't want to bend the aluminum. The thin aluminum fins are easily bendable, and a bent fin is just as bad as a dirty one. In fact, this is why you should also not use a pressure washer. If the pressure is too powerful, you can permanently damage the fins.

How Does this Help?

By unclogging the fans and making sure that there is space between the aluminum, you can ensure that the heat transfer process does not slow down. This is a simple do-it-yourself project, but it could end up increasing the lifespan of your condenser unit, improving airflow into your ducts and ultimately saving you money. This is a great project because you can basically do it whenever, except when it is freezing outside. You can run your air conditioner as soon as you're done cleaning the condenser without anything getting damaged by the moisture. This is a great job to do during the spring, before summer hits full force.

If this isn't a process you're comfortable doing on your own; however, reach out to c professional in air conditioning repair.