Standard Procedure for Air Conditioner Cleaning at Home for Lunar New Year 2017

During Lunar New Year, it's essential to clean and tidy up the house, especially household appliances like air conditioners. Over time, air conditioners tend to accumulate a lot of dust, and if we don't clean them, it can lead to severe damage and health issues.

1. Standard Procedure for Air Conditioner Cleaning at Home for Lunar New Year 2017

During Lunar New Year, it's crucial to clean and tidy up the house, especially household appliances like air conditioners. Over time, air conditioners tend to accumulate a lot of dust, and if we don't clean them, it can lead to severe damage and health issues. Below are simple steps for cleaning air conditioners at home, helping you save a significant amount of money besides the expenses for buying air conditioners for the 2017 Lunar New Year. Let's go through them with Mytour and keep them for future reference!

A. Required Tools

You need to prepare some necessary equipment to facilitate the cleaning of the air conditioner. These are also the tools commonly used by HVAC technicians for maintenance and cleaning purposes.

1. Roofing Sheet or Nylon Hammock for Collecting Dirty Water: You'll need a roofing sheet or a nylon hammock with a length equivalent to the air conditioner unit's size, which can be securely hung on the unit to collect dirty water during the cleaning process.
2. High-pressure Pump: This is a water pump with high pressure used to spray clean the metal slots on the outdoor and indoor units very effectively. Using this pump is straightforward; just plug one end into a water basin, and press the button on the other end to spray water whenever needed.
3. Screwdriver: Used to unscrew the screws on the air conditioner unit.
4. Clean Cloth or Nylon Bag: Used to prevent water from splashing onto the electronic circuit board, which can cause damage.
5. Clean Water Source: For rinsing, it's not necessary to add cleaning agents if the unit is not too dusty.
6. Dishwashing Liquid or Detergent: Similar to clean dishes or detergents to wipe the plastic casing of the air conditioner.

B. Home Air Conditioner Cleaning Procedure

1. Clean the Filter Mask Inside the Indoor Unit

First, lift the front cover of the air conditioner upward and pull it out. Then, use a small sponge soaked in dishwashing liquid to gently clean it. When cleaning, be careful not to press too hard to avoid cracking the mask. Next, dry the mask thoroughly, avoiding direct sunlight, then reinstall it into the unit. Daikin air conditioners have flat masks, making them easy to clean. You can use a soft cloth to wipe off any dust buildup.

Many units have detachable masks, so you can remove them by sliding the lever on the side of the unit for easier cleaning.

2. Scrub the Air Filter Mesh Inside the Indoor Unit

Typically, you should clean the air filter every two weeks.

How to do it: Remove the front cover of the indoor unit and pull out the filter. Then, rinse it with water. Since the filter is made of nylon, do not use water hotter than 40°C to avoid deformation. Finally, let the filter dry completely before reinstalling it into the unit. When rinsing, remember to spray on the right side to let dirt fall off from the left side of the filter.

3. Spray Cleaning the Evaporator Coil

First, use a clean cloth or nylon bag to cover the circuit board part of the indoor unit to prevent water from spraying onto it, and hang a metal trough or nylon hammock below to catch water.

Next, use a high-pressure pump or a pressure water sprayer to spray water slowly into the metal fins on the evaporator coil. Note: Only spray water into the metal fins, avoid spraying onto other components as it may damage the unit.

This task requires certain finesse, so be careful when handling to avoid damaging the equipment. Remember to disconnect the power before proceeding to this step for safety reasons.

4. Cleaning the Outdoor Unit

Turn off the air conditioner, unplug it, or switch off the power at the circuit breaker to prevent electric shock or damage to the unit. Next, use a water hose or a pressure water sprayer to spray directly into the gaps between the metal fins.

During the cleaning process, it's essential to avoid denting or deforming the outdoor unit as much as possible. If you accidentally deform the metal fins, use a thin, pointed object to gently straighten them vertically, but be gentle to avoid puncturing the refrigerant tubes within the fins.

5. Reattaching the Air Conditioner's Front Cover

After completing the cleaning of the evaporator coil, dust filters, and cleaning the plastic housing, proceed to reinstall everything as it was. Allow about 30 minutes for the equipment to dry.

6. Turn on the Air Conditioner and Check the Temperature Control

C. Important Notes for DIY Air Conditioner Maintenance

• Before cleaning the unit, make sure to turn off the air conditioner and disconnect the power for safety.
• You should clean the air filter regularly if you notice it collecting dust, and clean the outdoor and indoor units every 6 months or once a year.
• Use a clean cloth or nylon bag to cover the electronic circuit board part. Never let water spray onto and wet the electronic circuit board of the air conditioner (located above the compressor). Spraying water near this area may cause water to penetrate the box containing the board, leading to board damage. For example, Daikin air conditioners have a fairly complex structure, so in case of malfunction, only highly skilled technicians can fix them.

It's crucial to avoid denting or deforming the outdoor unit as much as possible. If denting occurs, it's acceptable to some extent. If the aluminum fins are accidentally deformed, use a thin, pointed object to gently straighten them vertically, but be gentle to avoid puncturing the refrigerant tubes within the fins. And of course, when performing maintenance on both the indoor and outdoor units, remember to disconnect the air conditioner's power supply for safety.