Proper maintenance is key to keeping your air conditioner running efficiently and extending its lifetime. Cleaning is an important part of maintenance, but what's the right way to clean an air conditioner? Don't worry because we got the instructions straight from the experts and we're sharing them with you here.
To clean your Sharp air conditioner, you need to:
- Turn off the unit.
- Remove the filters and clean them.
- Clean the AC's interior with the use of a vacuum cleaner or air blower.
- Sanitize the interior components including the filters.
- Reinstall the filters.
- Flush the drain pipe.
- Turn on the AC to remove dirty water.
Keep on reading for more detailed instructions on how to clean your Sharp air conditioner. We'll also teach you how to clean the outdoor unit and remove mold from your air conditioner. This article will also answer if you can wash the AC outdoor unit with water. Let's get started!
Cleaning Sharp Split-Type AC
Cleaning your Sharp air conditioner is an important part of its maintenance. When your AC is clean, you can expect it to perform at its best and function smoothly. You'll get rid of dirt and dust that would otherwise hinder the continuous flow of cool air in your room.
Proper cleaning reduces the chances of other problems such as ice forming on the coils, increased energy consumption and cost, and even respiratory problems.
It's clear that proper cleaning is key. So, without further ado, here are the steps and pointers on how to clean your Sharp air conditioner.
- If the AC has just been used, you need to run it in Fan Mode for at least 30 minutes. This will help remove the moisture from your AC.
- Turn off the air-conditioner and unplug from the power outlet.
- Attach a garbage or cleaning bag around the unit. This will catch the dirt and dust while you're cleaning so it won't be hard for you to clean up the mess afterward.
- Open the front panel and detach it from the unit so you can work freely.
- Wipe off any dirt on the front panel then set it aside.
- Push the filters upwards to remove the lock then slide them down to remove them.
- Vacuum the filters.
- Soak the filters in warm soapy water. Use mild detergent soap only. Scrub gently when needed.
- Rinse thoroughly and wipe with a clean cloth.
- Let the filters air-dry in a shaded portion of the house.
- Meanwhile, vacuum the interior portion of the air conditioning unit.
- Spray some evaporator cleaner on the coils. Let it stand for about 20 minutes before wiping it off the surface.
- You can also sanitize the interior of your AC by using an anti-fungal spray. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Put back the filters in their proper place.
- Re-attach the front panel.
- Detach the drain pipe. Use a pressurized flush kit to clean its interior portion. This will get rid of unwanted particles that can clog the way.
- Reconnect the drain pipe.
- Once everything is back in place, turn on your AC for about 20 minutes to flush out the dirty water in the drain.
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Congratulations! You're now able to clean your AC unit without hiring help. It is recommended that you clean the filters every month or every other month, especially during summer. But if you have furry pets at home or live near a busy road, you may benefit from cleaning your filters more frequently.
Should you clean your outside air conditioning unit?
Now that you have the indoor unit cleaned, how about the outdoor unit? Since it is outdoors, it is even more vulnerable to getting dirty, reducing its performance and efficiency. This is why it's also important to clean the outdoor air conditioning unit regularly.
Here's how to do it:
- Always start by turning off the power for safety purposes.
- If you see large leaves and debris around the unit or trapped in the air outlet, gently pull them out.
- Take this opportunity also to remove any shrubs or plants growing near the unit. Take note that all sides should be free from any form of blockage to allow your outdoor unit to breathe.
- Using a water hose, wash off the dirt all over your outdoor AC. A regular water stream will do. Do not use a power washer for this task as it could damage the coils.
- If the dirt is difficult to remove, you may use a foaming coil cleaner. Let it stand for 10 minutes to loosen the dirt then rinse thoroughly with the water hose.
- Make sure all sides are clean. Spray water at different angles to capture hidden dirt and fine particles.
- Turn the unit on again.
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Unlike the AC indoor unit, you don't need to clean the outside unit as frequently. Experts say you can schedule this task at least once a year. Just make sure to check your outdoor unit from time to time and remove dirt and obstruction around it so it can operate smoothly.
Can we wash AC outdoor unit with water?
As discussed above, you can wash your outdoor unit with water. Just don't use a pressure washer as this could damage the sensitive coils.
Don't worry because the electrical parts that aren't supposed to get wet are well-protected. In fact, the outdoor unit has been designed to handle water, be it from washing or from heavy rain.
Aside from keeping your unit clean, washing it with water helps improve its efficiency. It encourages evaporation in the system which means that it cools off faster and consumes less energy while doing so.
Consequently, a cleaner and more efficient AC outdoor unit last longer. You're able to help the appliance perform its job more efficiently so it does not have to overwork its components to accomplish the task of making your home cooler.
How do you clean mold out of a window air conditioner?
You shouldn't use an air conditioner that has mold in it. It will spread mold spores in your home and trigger allergies and asthma attacks.
Even if you don't suffer from these health conditions, you can still experience itchiness and breathing difficulty when there's mold around you. Not to mention, when mold settles on different portions of your home, it can ruin the surface of whatever it clings to.
Your air conditioning unit is prone to mold infestation. It absorbs moisture and has dark crevices which are the conditions that mold loves and makes it thrive. Mold growth is also possible when you stop using your air conditioner for some time and there's some water left inside the unit.
Here's how to inspect the extent of mold growth in your air conditioner.
- Turn off the unit.
- Put on your protective gear such as your face mask, goggles, and gloves.
- Remove the front panel and filters.
- Inspect the extent of the problem. Use a flashlight to help you see better. It could be that the mold has only developed on the filters or it has affected the interior portion as well. Signs of mold growth that you should look out for are fuzzy or cottony appearance and green, brown, and black stains on the surface.
- If more than one-third of your unit is infected with mold growth, it is time to replace it. But if there's not much infestation and you feel that cleaning is a manageable task, you can proceed.
Here's what you can do to get rid of mold in your AC.
- Remove the unit from the window or wall. Ask someone to help you with this since it is quite heavy.
- Place the AC unit on a flat surface.
- Open the front panel and remove the filters.
- Add 1/2 cup of bleach to a tub of warm soapy water.
- Soak the filters in the bleach solution.
- Take off the top and back portion of your AC's casing. You can refer to your owner's manual if you need help on how to disassemble it.
- Attach the nozzle to your vacuum cleaner to be able to clean the interior of your AC unit properly.
- Apply the commercial cleaner to the coils.
- Use a garden hose to rinse off the coil cleaner and gunk.
- Prepare a bucket of hot water and bleach. According to the CDC, you can use up to a cup of bleach for each gallon of water.
- Soak the sponge in the bleach solution and use it to wipe the interior surface of the AC unit especially if you can see any signs of mold. Bleach is effective at killing off mold, but be sure to wear protective gloves as bleach can also be harmful to you.
- Rinse everything with clean water including the filters.
- Air-dry before putting back the filters.
- Reinstall the AC in the window or wall.
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That is how you remove mold inside your AC. It is also recommended that you clean your unit regularly, maintain the ideal humidity level inside the room, and run your AC frequently to prevent mold growth.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your Sharp air conditioner is not that difficult as long as you have the right tools with you. Do this regularly to enjoy the clean and cool air from your cooling system.
For cleaning tips on other brands of air conditioners, you may check the following posts:
How To Clean A GE Air Conditioner?
How To Clean A Heil Air Conditioner