How to Clean the Outdoor Unit of Split AC

Air conditioners are a necessity in these hot summer days where the ceiling fan simply doesn’t work. This is the time when people think about using the air conditioner, more specifically split air-conditioners, in order to maintain the temperature in a room. The outdoor unit of your split AC has been sitting idle and collecting dust throughout winter. So, its parts need some pre-season tune-up to get ready for summer. Read the article and learn how to clean the outdoor unit of split AC.

How to Clean the Outdoor Unit of Split AC | Guidelines

Before moving out to the outdoor unit, always make sure to clean the inner unit of split AC first. To learn about cleaning the inner unit, you can refer to the article on our website on how to clean the indoor unit of split AC for the complete procedure.

Now coming back to the point of cleaning the outdoor unit of split AC. To know how it can be done, read the following instructions.

Switch off Power to the Outdoor Unit

Since you will be using water to clean the condenser fins, you don’t want it to be plugged into the power outlet. Unplug the breaker from the power source to stop electricity flow in the outdoor unit.

How to Clean the Outdoor Unit of Split AC — Image Credit (WikiHow)

Vacuum the Condenser Fins

Take the vacuum outside and attach brush attachment to the vacuum nozzle. The condenser fins are thin, metal lines inside the metal outdoor unit. Turn on the vacuum and suck out any visible dust and debris from the outdoor unit. Keep moving the brush horizontally or vertically in a straight line until all the dust is sucked out and condenser looks clean.

Unscrew the Grille of Outdoor Unit

Use a screwdriver to detach the grille from the outdoor unit. Remove all the bolts with a screwdriver and detach the metal unit. After detaching the metal unit, use a wrench to pull out the condenser fan.

Note: See the manufacturer guide to confirm the safest way to take out the condenser fan

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to take out the condenser fan completely as a fan is wired to the condenser. To be on the safe side, cover all the electrical components with a plastic bag to keep them safe from water.

Rinse the Condenser Fins with Hose

Turn on the garden hose to rinse the condenser fins from the inside of the metal unit. You can use the spray attachment to get stronger and finer mist from the hose. Don’t apply too much pressure on the fins as it can cause fins to bend if the water pressure is too high. By rinsing it, all the fins will be clear and clean and your condenser will run efficiently. After rinsing the inside of the fins, let the inside of the outdoor unit to dry off completely.

Reattach all the Parts

Once the inside of the metal unit is dried out completely, reattach the condenser fan with the right set of tools. Use a screwdriver to reattach the top of the grille of the outdoor unit. After reattaching all the parts of the outdoor unit, plug in the breaker to the power source and turn on the AC. Check to see if all the things are working properly.