How To Clean Your Split AC Indoor Unit At Home?

Air-conditioners play an essential role in keeping our homes and offices set at the right temperature, especially during summers. Split air-conditioners have become a common sight in every household, keeping your home cool during hot weather. Prolonged usage of the AC without any maintenance can break down your appliance, thus leading to unnecessary expenses.

Maintaining and cleaning any air conditioner periodically is vital for fresh free-flowing air, and it also helps in increasing the unit’s lifespan. Cleaning the inner division of a split air-conditioner can be easy if you follow the below steps:

Step 1: Dry the Air-conditioner

If the air-conditioner has been in use, it will have moisture and probably also water in it. Before you begin the cleaning process of your AC, it is essential to dry it. Set the air-conditioner on 'Fan Mode' and run it for 30-40 minutes as this will help the moisture evaporate.

Step 2: Disconnect the Unit from its Power Source

Before you begin cleaning any appliance, it is essential to disconnect the machine from its power source. Ensure there is no power supply to your AC before you start dismantling it for cleaning.

Step 3: Cover the Unit with a Cleaning Bag

After you disconnect the unit from its power source, lay a large garbage bag or an air-con bag around the indoor unit of the AC to catch all the falling dirt and drippings.

Step 4: Detach the Front Panel

Locate the latches or tabs that hold the front panel of the indoor unit of your air-conditioner, undo the latches or push the tabs and lift the panel upwards carefully to access the inside of your unit. If the panel does not come out, hold it with one hand to clean the interior.

Step 5: Unfasten the Air Filters

Once you detach or lift up the front panel of your split air-conditioner, the long rectangular pieces that are fastened to the unit are your air filters. Locate the tabs that connect the air filters to the unit, press them and remove the air filters. If you are unable to locate the tabs, check the user manual for guidance. Shake off the dust from the filters with the help of a vacuum cleaner or a toothbrush.

Step 6: Wash the Air Filters

Once you successfully unfasten the air filters from the unit and dust them off,wash them with mild soap and clean cool water to get rid of the small dirt particles. Use a sponge or a cleaning pad to scrub the filters to remove all dust gently. Rinse the filters thoroughly and air-dry them entirely before you fix them back. Avoid drying air filters in direct sunlight as most of them may not be made for drying in the sun.

Step 7: Clean the Bacteria Filters

Once you remove the air filters, some models also have the bacteria filters that will require cleaning. You can similarly clean them as you would wash the air filters. Let the air filters completely air-dry before you fix them back. You can also use an air-conditioner cleaner and purifier to get rid of the bacteria and germs off the filters. The cleaner will also eliminate any unpleasant odors from the AC.

Step 8: Clean the Cooling Fins

The cooling fins look like a set of metallic lines that are fit in the AC and are visible once you remove the air filters. Use an air blower to clean off the dust from the cooling fins. You can attach a box or a bag to the air blower so that it can collect all the dust from the fins. Carefully blow over the entire metallic lines without touching them. The cleaning of fins will enhance the cooling process. You can spray the air conditioner cleaner on the fins lightly and let them dry off so that the next time you switch on your AC, it will fill your room with pleasant fresh air.

Step 9: Clean the Coils

The coils are rounded metal pieces that are running across the centre of the indoor unit. The best way to clean these coils is to use a no-rinse evaporator spray. You can find them in your local hardware shops or online as well. Once you spray the evaporator cleaner on the coils, let it sit and wipe it off after around 20-30 minutes.

Step 10: Antifungal Spray

An air-conditioner antifungal spray helps in curbing the mould growth in the interior parts of the unit. Use the spray to sanitize the coils and fins where toxins are most likely to form. You can also sanitize the AC air filters with the help of the antifungal spray. Let the spray sit for about 5 minutes before you fix the air filters back into the AC. You can find this spray online in case you do not find them in a nearby hardware store.

Step 11: Fix the Air and Bacteria

Filters Back Before you fit the air and bacteria filters back into the AC, make sure they are dry. Use a dry cloth to wipe out all the dampness quickly. Fix both the filters back inside the AC. They should easily glide back to their positions, and if you face any difficulty, do check the user manual. The next time you switch on the AC, these filters should give you clean and fresh air. Cover the filters by fixing the front panel. Latch the panel properly and clean it with a dry cloth.

Step 12: Flush the Drain Lines

Detach the pipe that separates the indoor and outdoor units. A pressurized flush kit can help unclog the AC drain lines. The pressurized flush kits come with a pressurized nozzle that can assist in clearing any clogs in the drain pipe. Using the force of water or cleaner and with the help of the pressurized nozzle, you can unclog the drain line of the AC. Make sure to air-dry the drain line for at least an hour before you reconnect the pipe and turn on the AC.

Step 13: Turn on the AC to Clean Itself

Once you fix all the parts back safely, it is essential to reconnect the unit to the power source and check if the AC is running properly. Set it on maximum cooling and run the AC for around 15-20 minutes to drain out all the dirty water that is likely to come out once the unit starts running. Keep a cleaning bag or cloth and bucket handy to collect all the dirty water. Once all the dirty water has been spat out by the AC, you should experience a cool and clean breeze flowing into the room.

If you use your home air conditioner extensively, then it is vital to at least clean the air-filters periodically so that it always runs at an optimum level. Moreover, if time permits, you can also clean the coils with a vacuum cleaner without using a no-rinse spray. Cleaning and maintaining your air-conditioner is one of the ways to enhance the lifespan of the appliance as well as control your overall household energy consumption. If you are looking to buy a new split air conditioner for your home or office, you can visit our premium retail outlets near you. Moreover, you can also contact our experts for any assistance or advice.