Do-it-yourself air conditioner cleaning: the process of cleaning a home air conditioner, operating recommendations. How to clean the air conditioner and split system with your own hands in an apartment or office How to wash the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

Hi all! In general, I am a rather boring and meticulous person, but this is justified when you install, configure and maintain various equipment.

In particular, the same air conditioners are very fond of regular Maintenance, and you can do many things yourself, you just need to carefully read the instructions)

Today I would like to talk about one of the most common procedures - cleaning from dust and dirt. If you do not do this work on time, the device will overheat, emit unpleasant odors, and ultimately, it may simply burn out.

I have selected a bunch of useful information, video tips, recommendations from experts, read, apply knowledge in practice and save your money!

Introduction

Every day, your air conditioner moves large amounts of untreated air. All dust and dirt settle on its filters, which require regular and thorough cleaning. If cleaning is not done, then dirty air with dust will again enter the room, and you will breathe it. And this is fraught with allergies and other health problems.

Moreover, an uncleaned air conditioner is noisier and may emit an unpleasant odor. Experts advise performing preventative cleaning of the air conditioner at least twice a year before the start of the season of use. In this article we will figure out how to clean the air conditioner at home yourself.

Signs of contamination

The frequency of cleaning your air conditioner may depend on many factors, such as:

More frequent cleaning may be due to the fact that you have a device installed that combines the functions of air conditioning and air purification.

If you notice the following signs, it is recommended to clean the air conditioner yourself as soon as possible:

Indoor unit

In order to clean indoor unit, disconnect the device from the network. Carefully remove the top cover and take out the strainers. Soak them in warm water with some soap and leave for a while.

This way, the dirt that has accumulated over a long time will be better left behind. If you notice an unpleasant odor when the air conditioner is operating, use antiseptic and disinfectants when cleaning. This will help cope with bacteria and fungi. It is recommended to clean the indoor unit at least once a month.

As for pocket filters, it is not recommended to clean them yourself. Otherwise, you will most likely have to replace the entire unit. Simply remove and replace them with new ones.

After the filters, it is necessary to clean the rotary fan, made in the form of a roller. Since this part of the indoor unit of the air conditioner is designed to circulate cooled air from the device into the room, quite a lot of dust also settles on it. Over a long period without cleaning, the fan blades can become so dirty that they stop performing their functions.

For effective cleaning For a rotary fan, you need to moisten the blades in a soapy solution and turn on the device, drive air through them. After a few minutes, turn off the device and complete the cleaning manually using a brush and soap solution.

Heat exchanger

Cleaning the air conditioner also includes cleaning the heat exchanger, which is responsible for both heating the air in the cool season and cooling it in the summer. After you clean ventilation holes on the top cover, start cleaning the heat exchanger.

After opening the lid, carefully brush the dust from the heat exchanger fins with a brush. In case of severe contamination, wet cleaning is used, but special care is needed so as not to deform the thin plates. This cleaning should be done approximately once a year.

External unit

The external unit does not need to be cleaned as often as the internal one. It is enough to clean and rinse it 1-2 times a year. Most often it becomes clogged with poplar fluff, plant pollen, leaves, debris, and small twigs. If the outdoor unit is not cleaned, it will most likely lead to serious problems.

The equipment will not be able to effectively perform the air conditioning function, breakdown is inevitable. It is also necessary to clean the outdoor unit because dirt that gets there interferes with normal heat exchange in the radiator. And this, in turn, leads to overheating and failure of the compressor.

Cleaning steps external unit The air conditioner includes the removal of large debris. Next, clean with a brush and vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner will remove dust from hard to reach places. Then clean the fan blades, for which it is better to use a damp cloth. This must be done very delicately. During wet cleaning Water may get on the electrical components of the device. To prevent this from happening, you need to cover them with plastic wrap.

The radiator plates are washed with strong water pressure. To do this, use a hose or a special mini-wash. If the contamination is severe, then additional detergents are used.

Finally, you can wipe the inside surface of the block with a sponge. It is important to remember that assembly and connection of the device can only be done after all parts have completely dried.

Drainage

If the drainage systems are not cleaned for a long time, the air conditioner will most likely leak. The fact is that not only dust and dirt accumulate in large quantities in the drainage pipes, but also fungi or mold. All this can clog the tubes so much that the water outflow through them stops and water goes inside. The danger is also that mold from the pipes can spread to the radiator and to the walls of the case.

There are three ways to clean your air conditioner drain:

At home, the easiest way to do regular cleaning. Fat-dissolving detergents, such as dishwashing liquid, are suitable for this. And don’t forget to rinse the drain pan thoroughly, since its contamination is the main cause of the unpleasant odor.

How to use the device correctly?

In order for the air conditioner to serve you as long as its manufacturers promise (the service life depends on the brand and manufacturer and is 7-12 years), you must adhere to the following rules:

  1. Regularly (at least once a month) clean the indoor unit of the air conditioner and wash all filters.
  2. If any signs of air conditioner malfunction occur, immediately turn off the device and call service.
  3. Once a year, you must call specialists who will check the pressure of the device and refill the air conditioner with freon. Specialists will also clean those blocks that you were unable to clean on your own.
  4. Air conditioners with a built-in all-season unit should never be used at temperatures external environment below 0°C.

Seasonal readiness

Now you know how to clean your air conditioner at home, but that's not all there is to know about air conditioners. Along with regular cleaning twice a year, you need to prepare the equipment for the start of the new season.

Summer

Before the start of the warm season, it is imperative to clean the heat exchanger located in the external unit of the air conditioner. Also check how the equipment operates in all modes. Check the operation of the fans and set them to full power.

The only exception to this can be high humidity air. Replace air filters if necessary. Rinse the outdoor unit thoroughly, ideally this should be done under high water pressure.

Winter

If the air conditioner is not equipped with an all-season unit, then its use down to a temperature of minus 3°C is permissible. If such a unit is installed, then no more than 0°C. Turning on the device when more than low temperatures dangerous due to freezing of its drainage system. If this happens, then most likely you will soon find out about it, since water will begin to flow from the indoor unit of the air conditioner. This is the condensate that should have flowed out through the drain tube.

Winterizing your air conditioner may also include equipping it with special device crankcase heating in the compressor, as well as a speed controller in the outdoor unit. And if you also install the so-called “warm drainage”, then the air conditioner can be operated all year round at any temperature.

So, let us remind you once again why we need to regularly clean the air conditioner:

Thus, we see that in order to clean the air conditioner with your own hands, you do not need any special skills or tools.

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Basic Rules

The coolness that air conditioning provides in the sizzling summer heat is comparable to an oasis in the desert. Without this household appliances It’s difficult to get by in the summer in central Russia, and even more so in the southern regions. But in the absence of proper care, the air conditioner, in addition to coolness, can also bring many health problems, which is why it is so important to clean it in a timely manner, based on the attached instructions, as well as following the general rules for cleaning equipment.

When and why you need to clean your air conditioner - the dangers of dirty equipment and signs that cleaning is already necessary

Every air conditioner needs regular cleaning. Oddly enough, not everyone knows about this, and many owners of this household appliance believe that, apart from refilling with freon, the air conditioner does not need anything (and they only find out about this at the moment when the device stops cooling the air).

But an air conditioner that “just hangs” becomes a source of numerous problems after a year (or even earlier):

And if, if your device breaks down, buying a new air conditioner is not too serious a problem (although the cost of air conditioners today can become too high for many), then it’s definitely worth thinking about your health.

The most “popular” diseases caused by an air conditioner that is not cleaned on time include...

However, general deadlines for all air conditioners still exist:

The average lifespan of an air conditioner is about 7-12 years with proper care and maintenance.

Timely cleaning and maintenance of the device will allow the equipment to reach its service life without repairs, hassles and consequences. How do you know when it's time to clean your air conditioner?

Your device definitely needs urgent care if...

  1. The air conditioner stopped cooling.
  2. Incomprehensible sounds are heard from the device that are uncharacteristic for it (crackling, etc.).
  3. You notice an unpleasant odor in the room.
  4. Water is dripping from the indoor (not outdoor!) unit.
  5. The power of the device decreases and energy consumption increases.
  6. There was mold in the appliances.

If this option is yours, and you have no idea how to approach cleaning the device, then you have 2 options - figure it out yourself - or call professionals.

Cleaning the indoor unit of the air conditioner

Any split system consists of 2 blocks.

The indoor unit contains:

In the external block:

Note: The air conditioner cannot produce cold - it only transfers heat using refrigerant from the street into the house or vice versa, as when the mode is turned on to heat the room. During cooling, freon evaporates and refrigerant leaves the compressor.

Cleaning filters

It is recommended to carry it out every 3-4 weeks, and even more often under certain conditions of severe contamination. The filter is a fine mesh located under the panel of the device. It is through this that air is sucked into the equipment.

Cleaning the rotor turbine

It is usually cleaned in the fall or depending on the degree of contamination.

Cleaning the Evaporator Grille

This part is a system of tubes in which freon evaporates directly. If during cleaning you notice the presence of rust on metal parts, it means you need to urgently contact a service center (look for it in the documents issued when purchasing the device). Cleaning the evaporator grille is recommended in the spring - before starting the air conditioner.

The use of metal brushes for cleaning is prohibited.

  1. Remove the cover of the indoor unit.
  2. Next, remove the front grille that covers the heat exchanger.
  3. Using a brush, we carefully and as carefully as possible remove the dirt and dust, which we immediately remove with a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment.

Important: if this part of the air conditioner is seriously contaminated, you will not be able to do without a steam generator. In this case, it is recommended to contact specialists.

Cleaning the drain

Extremely an important part technology, stagnation of which provokes the growth of fungus and mold.

In addition, blockages in the tubes lead to breakdown of the device. It is recommended to wash the drain pan regularly to remove dirt and moisture!

There are several cleaning options:

After complete cleaning of the indoor unit, antibacterial cleaning should be performed:

  1. We turn on the device at full power.
  2. Select the mode - cooling.
  3. Spray inside with a special spray designed for cleaning air conditioners.

Cleaning the external compressor unit of a split system and air conditioner - what can you do yourself?

Speaking about the external unit of the air conditioner, it is worth noting that most often and most intensely this outer part systems become contaminated with tree fluff, dust, sand and other dirt when located on the lower floors of houses.

And it becomes even more polluted if the external unit is located on the side of the house facing the highway. Naturally, these contaminants do not go unnoticed for the air conditioner: the operation of parts slows down, heat exchange is disrupted, the refrigerant stops cooling fully, parts wear out, etc.

Therefore, cleaning the external unit is necessary - although not as frequent as with filters.

Mechanical flushing of the external module is usually sufficient:

It is important that moisture does not get into the electrical unit during cleaning! Deep cleaning of the internal system of the device should be carried out by specialists if you are incompetent in this matter (any violation can lead to equipment breakdown).

In addition, not everyone can wash the external unit. Moreover, if it is located above the first floor and far from the window.

Air conditioning and split system - is there a difference?

In fact, the difference is insignificant. And the designs of both devices are practically the same, and there is no difference in their cleaning scheme, with the exception of specific nuances.

The split system has a wider “package” of advantages and functions. It has higher power and lower noise levels, cools the air faster, is able to ionize and humidify the air, and can also be located on any surface in the room.

Regardless of the characteristics of the equipment, it is important to remember the following recommendations when cleaning the air conditioner:

  1. We use products and tools that are made specifically for cleaning air conditioners (special brushes and sprays).
  2. We call specialists to clean the outdoor unit. We also call them if there are any doubts about cleaning the indoor unit (with the exception of filters, which can be easily removed even by a person ignorant of technical issues).
  3. It is recommended to entrust the first cleaning to professionals. Firstly, the cleaning will be carried out using a steam generator, and secondly, you will see how to properly clean your equipment.
  4. When cleaning and daily use, refer to the instructions for the device.
  5. Do not wipe the parts after cleaning and do not dry them with hair dryers - they must dry on their own!
  6. Do not turn on your device in the middle of winter without a specific set of work corresponding to this adaptation process.
  7. Clean the filters regularly - this will save the remaining parts of the indoor module from rapid contamination.

Periodically disinfect the internal module using special antiseptics or alcohol solutions. It is carried out with the filter removed: the device is set to the mode minimum temperature and maximum blowing, and the product is sprayed into the air suction area until the solution drains. Next, you need to remove the remnants of this product from the tubes and the body itself.

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How to clean your air conditioner yourself at home

As a rule, any air conditioner needs to be cleaned periodically. Dirt and dust, covering all working surfaces of the indoor unit, cause an unpleasant odor and a decrease in the efficiency of the unit. IN this material we will look at when and how air conditioners are cleaned and whether it can be done at home.

How often should you clean the indoor unit of your air conditioner?

Without going into details why fungi and bacteria like the technogenic environment inside the cooler so much, we note that their appearance marks an extreme degree of contamination of the device parts and is characterized by a very unpleasant odor. It is better not to let it get to this point and carry out maintenance of air conditioners in accordance with the recommendations.

Since the indoor unit of the air conditioner constantly mixes the air in the room, the degree of contamination of its filter elements and working parts depends on the dust content of this air. Experts recommend doing a complete cleaning with washing at least twice a year. The filter elements themselves should be washed at least once a month, and in case of increased dust content - once every 2 weeks.

High dust levels are found in rooms with large crowds of people (offices), rooms with many thick carpets, upholstered furniture and other materials that attract dust particles. A significant role is played by the quality of the air outside, as well as the presence of busy roads near the building. Then preventative work will need to be performed more often.

The parts most susceptible to contamination are the air conditioner filter, heat exchanger and fan turbine. In addition, some of the dust ends up in the condensate collection tray, and along with the condensate, dirt from the heat exchanger also flows there. All listed elements must be thoroughly cleaned. If this is not done on time, the following consequences await the air conditioner:

Cleaning instructions

The most common and easiest way to prevent air conditioning is to wash the filter elements of the indoor unit. No tools are required to remove them, and no tools are needed to wash them. special means. You need to open the top cover of the unit and manually remove the dirty filters. The first time you do this, you need to make sure that the right and left elements are the same, otherwise they will need to be installed back in the same order.

The elements must be washed under running water, covered with a foam of neutral soap or odorless detergent and left to sour for 10-15 minutes. After this, wipe thoroughly with a soft foam sponge and rinse again. Before reinstalling the filters, be sure to dry them.

It is necessary to use an unscented detergent so that later these aromas do not spread throughout the room when the air conditioner is running.

Before you start cleaning the inside of your air conditioner, it is recommended to prepare protective equipment for walls under the air conditioner, so as not to splash them with water and dirt. For this, an ordinary plastic film will do, which is better to be inserted under the body of the unit and hung down, all the way to the floor.

Special service packages are available for sale, suspended from the indoor unit and equipped with a drain. Service employees use this tool because it is very convenient. You can evaluate the product by watching the video.

To clean the air conditioner yourself at home, you must first disconnect the device from the power supply and remove the front panel of the indoor unit by unscrewing several screws. You also need to unscrew the condensate pan. If you can only remove one side of it, it’s okay, you just need to move it down a little, as shown in the photo.

Next, taking the pipe of a switched-on vacuum cleaner with one hand, you need to brush off a layer of flying dust from all internal parts with a long-bristled brush, holding the suction pipe as close as possible. Then you need to take a special cleaner for air conditioners. aerosol can and cover the entire surface of the heat exchanger, turbine blades and condensate tray with it.

There are many on sale various means and air conditioner care liquids, they must be used following the instructions on the packaging.

After maintaining the required period of time, further cleaning of the indoor unit is carried out. It consists in the fact that the applied detergent and antibacterial agent along with the dirt are washed off with water using a brush. The work requires patience, since access to parts is limited, especially to the fan rotor, which must be rotated by hand when washing. The procedure is continued until the flowing water becomes clear.

When finished, do not forget to thoroughly wipe the unit body and ventilation holes on all sides, and also wash the removed front panel from the inside. Final stage– drying and assembly, this completes cleaning the air conditioner with your own hands.

Conclusion

Of course, service technicians have all the equipment for cleaning: water nozzles, special bags, and even a steam generator for steaming the heat exchanger. But their services cost money, while such work can be done independently and for free. It’s better to call specialists when something unexpected happens and the air conditioner needs to be repaired.

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HOW TO CLEAN AN AIR CONDITIONER: FILTERS, PIPES, RADIATOR AND OTHER ELEMENTS

During operation, the air conditioner passes particles of dust, wool, fungi and bacteria through its filters. Impurities accumulate over time, which leads to deterioration in the performance of the electrical appliance and its breakdown. How to clean the air conditioner and its components? Just follow the instructions below.

The procedure must be carried out not only because of possible breakdowns. First of all, you should think about your health. A large amount of accumulated dust deteriorates the quality of the supplied air and can cause the development of dangerous diseases:

Therefore, timely preventive measures are a necessity. In addition, the cleaning procedure does not require specific knowledge. The material obtained from the article will be sufficient for proper cleaning of the air conditioner and its components.

HOW TO CLEAN AN AIR CONDITIONING FILTER

Consumers often underestimate the importance of installing and cleaning filters. They believe that replacing a part is much easier. However, equipment manufacturers recommend cleaning the filtration system regularly. You may not need to strictly follow the instructions, but if signs of contamination appear, you will have to clean the filters in the air conditioner in any case. There are several signs that indicate the need for the procedure.

The presence of even one sign already indicates the need to clean the device as soon as possible. Only clean equipment can guarantee reliable, efficient operation of the device. Follow our instructions on how to clean air conditioner filters and you can easily keep the air clean and also extend the life of your electrical appliance.

  1. Disconnect the system from the power supply. Carefully open the lid. Filters are often very easy to access. The maximum that may be required is a screwdriver. When removing filters, take care to protect your hands. It's not just about pollution. If the equipment is turned off immediately before the cleaning process, you may get burned by the heat exchanger.
  2. Next stage - removing the air conditioner filter. First, it should be inspected for wear and tear and the degree of contamination determined. If ruptures or tears are visible on the filter, then it is better to change it. Further use of such a filter will be ineffective.
  3. Removing contamination. The easiest way to clean the filter is with a vacuum cleaner. If it is not there, then you can use any suitable brush. There can be a lot of dust, so you should take care to protect the floor covering from it; simply put, lay paper or a piece of polyethylene on the floor before work.
  4. Disinfection. A little detergent is diluted with water to obtain a weak solution. The filter is completely immersed in the solution. This procedure allows you to destroy allergens and bacteria. If cleaning is carried out rarely, the filter can be kept in the solution for four hours. For periodic cleaning, an hour is enough.
  5. Reverse installation. After disinfection, the filter is washed with warm water and dried. It is best if it dries naturally. All that remains is to install the filter in place in reverse order.

As soon as the electronics or appearance of an electrical appliance indicates the need for cleaning, carry it out. We are talking about human health and equipment reliability.

HOW TO CLEAN AN AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR

The evaporator is one of the integral attributes of the air conditioning system. It, like other important parts of equipment, sometimes needs cleaning. For a long time, reliable operation equipment, it is easiest to carry out periodic preventive measures. Cleaning the evaporator in an air conditioner yourself is not easy. It is required to know the mechanism of operation of the electrical appliance and take into account possible complications that arise during reassembly.

It is good if you need to clean the evaporator from dust. In this case, proceed as follows.

You should wait a bit for the remaining moisture to evaporate. After this, you can connect the power supply. This option is suitable for light cleaning. If it is necessary to remove severe deposits, you will need to use special products. You also need to have the skills to install air conditioner parts and have the appropriate equipment. In general, cleaning the evaporator in a home air conditioner is as follows.

In addition to knowledge, the work requires patience, since there is no direct access to all parts of the evaporator. The procedure is continued until the flowing water becomes clear. Then all parts of the body are additionally wiped. The removed panel is also washed from the inside.

Naturally, service center technicians know better how to clean the evaporator of a home air conditioner. They have specialized equipment, for example, a steam generator. Such services cost money, so everyone makes their own choice. But, if you are not sure of the successful completion of the matter, then it is better to pay specialists than to spend a large amount on repairing an electrical appliance.

HOW TO CLEAN AN AIR CONDITIONER DRAIN PIPE

The most common breakdown that air conditioner owners encounter is leaking. The main reason is the malfunction of the drainage system. During the operation of climate control equipment, condensation is sure to form.

When the device is in working condition, the resulting water flows freely through the drainage tube. But during operation, particles of dust, wool, and other contaminants clog the small drain hole of the tube. This causes leakage, so you need to clean the drain pipe in your air conditioner regularly to avoid problems.

First of all, you need to know that the easiest way to clear a clogged drain tube is with wire. However, the positive result does not last long. Therefore, you should consider a professional approach to cleaning the air conditioner drain pipe for better results.

The drainage tube is then disinfected. To do this, it is treated with chlorhexidine. This inexpensive product can be purchased at any pharmacy. It is best to pour the solution inside the pipe for 10-15 minutes. Then the tube is washed with running water, then the parts are dried and assembled.

In fact, you can clean the air conditioner drain pipe yourself, especially with a wire. But, if there is no experience and professional intervention is required, it is better to entrust the work to specialists.

HOW TO CLEAN AN AIR CONDITIONER RADIATOR

The radiator is one of the most important elements any climate system. Its functionality is to heat and cool the passing air. Cleaning the air conditioner radiator is a delicate process, as it consists of thin, densely spaced plates. The gaps between the plates are extremely small and easily clog. If the area of ​​contamination exceeds the permissible parameters, this leads to deterioration in the operation of all equipment.

Lightly soiled areas can be cleaned with a thick, long bristled brush or a powerful vacuum cleaner. The radiator fins are fragile, therefore, to avoid deformation, they are cleaned extremely carefully. In the case when dust deposits combined with condensate form a dirt film, specialized equipment is required - steam cleaners. Since a steam cleaner is not used in everyday life, you will most likely have to contact a specialized organization.

HOW TO CLEAN THE AIR CONDITIONER YOURSELF

The basic rule applicable to climate control equipment is timely maintenance. Regular cleaning of the air conditioner prevents severe blockages and makes it possible to independently cope with contamination of important components. During cleaning process Special attention are given to the indoor unit of the air conditioner, and the process takes place in stages.

Manufacturers recommend cleaning your air conditioner twice a year. Before starting operation - in the spring, then in the fall. But, as a rule, the minimum deadlines are usually not enough. The high level of dust in the air has an effect, especially in urban environments. Therefore, everyone makes the decision to clean the air conditioner independently, depending on the level of performance of the electrical appliance.

Cleaning each element of the air conditioning system has specific features. It is better not to touch some parts at all without the appropriate skills. The easiest way to wash the filters is to temporarily clean the drainage tube with wire. Cleaning and washing of other elements must be approached with caution.

In radiators, small dirt is removed with a stiff brush. But on the parts, in addition to dust, a resinous film accumulates, which can damage the equipment. In this case, use cleaning products with an alkaline base. The main thing in removing contaminants is to maintain the integrity of the thin protective coating and structures in general.

Cleaning fans is not difficult, but requires different preparation. Most often, the blades are cleaned mechanically and then a detergent is applied. Then the fan is cranked intensively. This causes a lot of dirty water to splash out. Therefore, the area around the air conditioner is covered with protective material.

Although in some models the leak may be caused by a clogged fan, the main culprit is still the drainage system. Like other parts, the drainage tube becomes clogged with dust and wool, and sometimes with colonies of fungi. You can clean the gap with wire, but to obtain long-term results you need to turn off the power to the equipment, then remove the cover and filters in sequence, and then the pan. For thorough self-cleaning, as mentioned above, use chlorhexidine.

The external air conditioner unit located outside also needs maintenance. You can only clean it yourself from the outside. Dirt is removed with brushes with dense bristles, and if possible, use a vacuum cleaner.

The correct approach to cleaning allows you to extend the life of the device and improve its performance. The necessary equipment is a lot of rags, napkins, a bucket and brushes. You may also need a steam generator for complete cleaning.

Most often, it is necessary to clean the indoor unit, as most of the dust flying in the air settles there. To clean the filters, take them out and wash them in water with the addition of detergent. It will be correct if this procedure is repeated regularly.

Then it’s the turn of the condenser, which heats and cools the air flow passing through it. Due to the temperature difference, condensation forms on the surface of the part, which tends to form dirt compounds that are difficult to wash off. Clean it with a brush and detergent. But it is better to use a steam generator. Steam from the device penetrates into all hard-to-reach places, cleaning them and killing microorganisms.

Next, clean the fan that moves the air in the room from the air conditioner. They clean it because of fatty deposits that impair the speed of the fan and, as a consequence, the entire system. To properly clean the blades, the box is removed. Fat deposits are removed with a brush. The working area around the air conditioner is covered with protective material.

Next, clean the drain pan and the drainage tube that removes condensate. Constant humidity in the drainage tube leads to the development of colonies of fungi, mold, and microbes. This leads to an unpleasant odor. To clean the drainage system, it is dismantled according to the instructions and treated with a disinfectant solution. Mechanical measures to remove blockages are ineffective here.

Along with the street air, the bulk of dust and exhaust gases enter the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. To clean the radiator and fan, take water, a brush, and a rag. First of all, remove the device housing to gain access to the fan and distant sections of the radiator. Then carefully remove visible dirt from them. Then everything is rinsed clean water. The electronic plate located inside the housing should not be wetted with water.

Follow the recommendations, and cleaning air conditioning equipment will become accessible to everyone. Remember that proper, regular cleaning of your air conditioner is a great way to increase the life of the equipment, improve the performance of the device and maintain health.

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How to clean your home air conditioner yourself?

By timely caring for household climate control equipment, you can maintain operating efficiency, a high level of reliability, and extend their service life. Initially, this concerns cleaning the home split system from dirt and dust. It is not at all necessary to call cleaning service specialists. Let's look at how to clean the air conditioner yourself, using a minimum of funds and financial costs.

Why is cleaning necessary?

Cleaning the home climate system is necessary first of all to preserve the health of the residents, and only then for the quality work technology. The influence of cool air, but saturated with pathogenic microorganisms, does not manifest itself as quickly as a breakdown of climate control equipment, an unusual odor, a leak, or the appearance of mold on the module.

The decision to clean the air conditioner is made precisely after the above signs of a malfunction of the climate control system appear. But this is just an extreme degree of pollution, which has accumulated for a long time, poisoning the air being passed through.

If the residents are relatively healthy, the impact of a damaged split system will not be felt immediately. It will be more difficult for asthmatics, people who have problems with the respiratory system, cardiovascular diseases - they will quickly feel the difference in the operation of dirty equipment.

To prevent an extreme situation, it is necessary to regularly clean the entire climate system. This will help preserve the health of people living in the apartment, extend the life of electrical mechanisms, and create optimal microclimatic conditions every day.

How often should you clean your home air conditioner?

The frequency of cleaning the split system is determined by many factors. If we talk about the external module, once a year is enough for the normal functioning of the entire system.

Various elements of the internal module require a specific processing time for them. Thus, the most frequently cleaned parts are air filters, which absorb the bulk of all debris that comes with the air. They need to be cleaned once every 1-3 months, which depends on the degree of contamination of the room itself, the characteristics of its location, etc.

The fan and heat exchanger can be cleaned less frequently - twice a year is enough. As a rule, experts recommend carrying out treatment in the spring before the start of active use in the summer and in late autumn, before the onset of winter frosts.

If the air conditioner is used under conditions of increased pollution, cleaning procedures are carried out even more often as dust settles on the elements of the device. You need to monitor this yourself, carry out timely maintenance of the climate control installation, then cleaning the air conditioner at home will not be difficult.

What needs to be cleaned?

Household climate control equipment must be cleaned almost completely, to one degree or another. The internal module must be treated with a fan, evaporator, drainage group, air filters, internal and external surfaces of the plastic housing.

Treatment of the outdoor unit - washing the metal housing, filters, fan, condenser. Particular attention is paid to the equipment located under the canopy. Birds like to settle under it, thereby clogging the outer element of the system with fluff, small feathers, leftover food, and other waste products.

Let's take a closer look at how to clean an air conditioner in a living space with your own hands.

How to clean the external unit of the air conditioner?

Most often, the outer element becomes clogged with fluff during poplar flowering, street dust, and sand blown there by the wind. If the house is located near a highway, on a street with heavy traffic, the outer housing of the unit and internal parts become covered with soot and soot.

Over time, these contaminants adhere to the blades of a fan, compressor, or condenser in a dense layer, complicating their operation. The heat exchange process is disrupted, since adhered dirt does not allow the refrigerant to cool effectively. This leads to an increase in energy consumption during normalization of heat transfer work and wear of the internal parts of the device.

Mechanical flushing of the outdoor module of the split system is sufficient to maintain cleanliness and proper operation. Let's define a few recommendations on how to clean the outdoor unit:

How to clean the indoor unit of an air conditioner?

Cleaning the indoor unit requires more attention, time, and a set of tools. The main points of the process are the cleaning of air filters, fans, evaporators, drainage systems, and the inner surface of the housing. Let's look at each separately.

AIR CLEANING FILTERS

They are processed most often because they become contaminated with dust faster than other parts. They are a fine mesh with a plastic partition and are a system for primary, coarse cleaning of incoming air. How to clean the filter in your air conditioner:

FAN

Most modifications of climate control equipment include a removable drum with fan blades. This allows you to wash it separately if necessary. Sequence of cleaning actions:

EVAPORATOR

Deep cleaning of the heat exchanger is carried out only by employees of a special cleaning service with removal of the indoor unit. At home, it can only be treated superficially. Therefore, you should not clog the air conditioner; you need to clean it in a timely manner to avoid large financial expenses. Cleaning process:

DRAINAGE SYSTEM

It is very important to clean this part of the split system. It accumulates a lot of moisture, which subsequently combines with dust and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungal colonies. Contaminants and mucus form a plug that prevents the outflow of condensate, which leads to leakage from the climate control module. Cleaning sequence:

The process of cleaning the air conditioner is not complicated, but it requires care and precision. You can do it yourself, or entrust it to professional workers. The processing frequency must be observed to avoid unpleasant consequences, unexpected financial expenses. Any climate system, even one equipped with a self-cleaning option, must be cleaned.

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How to properly clean your air conditioner

Every day, huge amounts of unpurified air pass through the air conditioner. Over time, filters become dirty and require cleaning. If you don’t know how to properly clean your air conditioner, contaminated air will re-enter the room.

From a device for maintaining an optimal microclimate, a split system turns into one of the main sources of allergens. Add to this the increased noise during operation and the unpleasant odor that comes from the device.

According to experts, those who clean appliances twice a year are right: before the start of the winter and summer seasons. Let's look at how to clean air conditioners from dirt at home.

Need for cleaning: signs of contamination

How quickly air conditioner filters become dirty depends on the following factors:

The device has to be washed more often if it combines 2 functions: air purification and air conditioning. Here are signs that the device has not been cleaned for a long time and needs cleaning:

Indoor unit

First, before starting work, turn off the power to the device. Then remove the outer cover and take out the mesh filters. Soak them for about half an hour in soapy water. It will be much easier to remove dirt that has accumulated over a long time.

If the operation of air conditioners is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, add a disinfectant to the cleaning solution to help get rid of fungi and mold.

Important! Pocket-type filters cannot be cleaned, otherwise the entire unit may fail. Simply remove them and replace them with new ones.

Rotary fan

The next stage of cleaning is a rotary fan shaped like a roller. Its purpose is to circulate cooled air into the room. For this reason, a large amount of dust also accumulates on the roller.

If you leave the fan dirty, so much dust will accumulate on the blades that the design will no longer work properly. Clean the rotor fan with soapy water. For hard-to-reach places, use a brush.

How to clean a heat exchanger

The purpose of the heat exchanger is to cool the air in summer and heat it in cool weather. We clean the heat exchanger in the following sequence:

Procedure for cleaning the external unit

There is no need to clean the external unit as often as the internal one. Once a year is enough. Most often, the outer part of the split system becomes clogged with dust, branches, pollen, poplar fluff, and small debris.

Eventually, a dirty outdoor unit will fail. The reason is that accumulated contaminants interfere with heat transfer. The radiator overheats and the compressor fails.

First, you need to clean the external unit from large particles of debris. Next comes the vacuum cleaner and brush. The vacuum cleaner pulls dust from difficult to reach places. It is convenient to clean the fan blades with a soft, damp cloth. Do this very carefully so that no water gets on the electrical components. To eliminate this risk, protect them with polyethylene film.

Radiator plates are well washed with water under pressure. This could be a regular garden hose or a mini-wash. Should I use a cleaning agent? If the plates are heavily soiled, then you cannot do without using a cleaning compound.

The final stage of cleaning is wiping the inner surface of the block. You can connect the split system only after all parts are completely dry.

Drainage system

A sure sign of a clogged drainage system is a leaking air conditioner. The situation is also dangerous because the dirt filling the drainage pipes is a fertile environment for the growth of fungi and mold.

In the end, the walls of the case and the radiator are affected by fungus. Those who have cleaned an air conditioner know that it is very difficult to remove fungi or mold.

Drainage is cleaned in the following ways:

To clean it yourself, just select the first option. For cleaning, you can use a highly water-soluble detergent, such as dishwashing liquid.

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During its operation, any climate control equipment displaces countless amounts of air, which contains mechanical inclusions of various fractions, dust, bacteria and fungal spores, as well as fluff and hair from pets. So all this would remain in the air if there were no filter elements installed in the air conditioner, which periodically need to be replaced or cleaned. Depending on the design of the air conditioner, its power and purpose, filters need to be cleaned at different times recommended by the manufacturer, and in some cases based on “clinical” performance indicators of the air conditioner.

When and why you need to clean air conditioning equipment

As a rule, the situation when you have to clean household split system occurs extremely rarely: that’s all you need, but how to clean it, yourself or with the help of a specialist, or call a specialized team from a cleaning company for such a case - this is the question that worries the user most often. This article is intended to answer several common questions related to cleaning air conditioners, what you can do on your own, and where professional intervention is required.

First of all, you need to answer the question: “Why do you need to clean the split system yourself?” Of course, for these purposes you can call a specialist and pay him several thousand hard-earned, but why pay for something that is no more difficult to do than cleaning, for example, a vacuum cleaner. Few people call a specially trained person for this.

In an air conditioner that has not undergone a preventive maintenance procedure for a long time, a lot of dust has accumulated inside, which will certainly lead to problems, namely:

  • Significant deterioration of the indoor microclimate. Dust that settles on the air conditioner units will spread throughout the room, which can cause allergic attacks in people in the room. You can read how to check the air in an apartment in the article.
  • Difficulty in the operation of this climate control device. The thing is that accumulated dust and dirt in the filter elements will prevent the free passage of air flow.
  • Significant reduction. These are the consequences of dust buildup on the heat exchanger.
  • Increased risk of failure of the split system due to increased air resistance and, as a consequence, increased load on the fan motor.

"Clinical" indicators of the air conditioner indicating cleaning

One of the most striking manifestations of a long-term lack of maintenance of air conditioners is the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the internal module. First of all, this indicates colonies of fungi and mold that have developed in the device. And with every turn on of the air conditioner, millions of spores fly around the apartment and inevitably enter the human respiratory system, leading to terrible diseases such as asthma, allergies and various types dermatitis.

If a mold smell appears, you must immediately clean the inside of the air conditioner and its filter elements. If you delay cleaning, the likelihood of subsequent problems increases. In addition to the smell, there are several other signs that the split system needs to be cleaned:

  • Reducing the power of the device.
  • Increased energy consumption.
  • Icing of highways and connecting fittings.

We are gradually cleaning our climate control equipment

Do-it-yourself air conditioner cleaning consists of three stages:

  • cleaning or replacing the air conditioner filter;
  • cleaning the “insides” of the internal module;
  • preventive cleaning of the external unit.

Before carrying out any work, the climate system must be completely disconnected from the power supply.. To spend effective cleaning filter elements in the internal block of the split system, you need to carry out a series of sequential operations, which are proposed in this article:


Advice:
Do not wash one filter element more than 8 times, as water disrupts its throughput, which affects the efficiency of the entire climate system.

How to clean the indoor unit of a split system yourself

Very often the question: “How to clean an air conditioner at home” should be meant as follows: “How to clean the indoor unit of an air conditioner with your own hands.”

In addition to replacing and cleaning the filters of the internal module of the split system, you can independently clean the evaporator heat exchanger from dust accumulated in it. This is the main part of any climate system, which must be kept perfectly clean for the device to work well.

It is assembled from tubes in which the freon evaporation process takes place, as a result of which the evaporator is cooled. Air flows “wash” the heat exchanger and cool themselves. In order to clean the air conditioner evaporator, you need to:

  1. De-energize climate system.
  2. Remove the protective grille according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  3. Using a vacuum cleaner and a thin brush, clean the heat exchanger and the space between the tubes and shut-off valves from dust.

    Important!
    If there are traces of metal corrosion on the surface of the heat exchanger, you should urgently contact a service center to avoid freon leakage.

  4. Reassemble the device in reverse order.

Advice:
When cleaning the air conditioner evaporator, do not use a stiff brush or metal objects, which can damage the freon line and heat exchanger.

Sometimes it is necessary to clean the indoor unit fan from dust and grease deposits, but it is strongly recommended not to carry out this procedure on your own. The best option will call a service professional.

Cleaning the compressor unit of a split system

It is immediately necessary to clarify that the design of the split system involves the location of the external unit of the split system outside the room, so disassembling and cleaning it should be carried out by professionals. The only thing that needs to be done is flushing the air conditioner, or rather its external unit. To do this you need:

  1. Turn off the power to the climate control unit and remove the plug from the socket.
  2. Using a soft brush and cloth, remove dust and dirt from the unit body.
  3. By connecting the hose to the water supply network or car wash, direct the stream directly into the device and try to rinse the contents as thoroughly as possible without opening the housing of the external unit of the climate system.
  4. After cleaning, remove excess water and the device body.

Now you have learned how to clean the air conditioner yourself. If such simple procedures are carried out promptly and carefully, you can significantly extend the service life of the climate system.

Knowing how to clean an air conditioner yourself, you can significantly save on air conditioning equipment maintenance. Is it possible to wash all the elements - evaporator, radiator and fan - at home? The answer to this question depends on the design of the split system and the degree of pollution. To prevent a large accumulation of dirt and the formation of a grease film, you need to clean the equipment at home as often as indicated in the instructions, then you will not have to remove the air conditioner and perform deep cleaning at the service center.

How often should you clean your air conditioner?

Manufacturers of climate control equipment indicate in the technical documentation how often it needs to be cleaned. It should be noted that different elements are serviced at different intervals. Most often it is necessary to clean air (dust) nets, since dust, animal hair, and any mechanical particles present in the air of the apartment accumulate on them. The frequency of cleaning here depends on the general pollution in the room, but it should be done at least once a month.

Other components of the split system also require regular maintenance. It is recommended to perform it approximately once every 6-12 months, depending on the intensity of the system. At home (not in an industrial environment), it is quite enough to perform cleaning procedures once a year.

There are symptoms indicating that the air conditioner is dirty:

  • crackling or louder operation of the split system;
  • gurgling or squelching sounds;
  • unpleasant odor that appears after turning on the air conditioner;
  • Water is dripping from the indoor unit.

Their appearance indicates that cleaning is not being carried out or is not being carried out in full. In case of such manifestations, complex treatment must be performed. It can be done at home, on your own or with the help of specialists.


What needs to be cleaned in the indoor and outdoor units?

The air conditioner (split system) consists of two units - an internal one, located indoors, and an external one, located on the external wall Houses.

The indoor block contains:

  • filters;
  • fan;
  • radiator and heat exchanger (evaporator);
  • drainage system (bath and channel).

The condenser and compressor are located in the external unit, but there is also a heat exchanger and a fan, which also require regular maintenance, as fluff, leaves, wool and dust get there.


Air filters

Filters (dust meshes) must be cleaned frequently, as this prevents contaminants from entering other elements of the system. It's easy to do, and once figured out, anyone can do it in their own home. The filters are located immediately under the top cover and visually look like a fine mesh with plastic partitions. There can be from one to three in one block.

The procedure consists of several steps:

  1. turn off the power supply;
  2. lift the lid and lock it in the upper position;
  3. remove filters;
  4. Clean the filter with a vacuum cleaner or brush and rinse under cold water;
  5. dry and reinstall.

Filters can be either flat or curved (drum type). This does not affect the cleaning method.


Drainage system

The drainage system consists of two elements - a bath (tray) where liquid from the heat exchanger is collected, and a drainage tube - a channel through which the liquid is removed from the house. In order to remove the tray, you must first remove the plastic housing of the indoor unit. It is attached using several self-tapping screws (mostly 3-4). Next, you need to remove the connector connecting the bath to the board and disconnect it from the drain tube.

After this, the bath and channel are cleaned. The bath is thoroughly washed under running water. The drainage channel is purged with a stream of air under pressure - a compressor or vacuum cleaner operating for blowing is connected to the drainage pipe. Next, you need to pump chlorhexidine (400 ml) into the canal and wait 10-15 minutes. After this, the channel is purged again.

To check whether the drainage system at home has been completely cleaned, fill in 1.5 liters of water to check. If there are no leaks, the cleaning was done well.


Fan

The fan can be cleaned in two ways. The first is less effective, but is suitable for those whose model and air conditioner mount do not allow removing the impeller (fan drum) and performing a thorough cleaning.

  1. After removing the filter, you need to blow out the dry dust with a vacuum cleaner turned on for blowing, or compressed air from a can.
  2. Apply soap solution to the drum blades with a long-haired brush. To treat all surfaces, the drum must be turned by hand. You can use any dish soap or laundry soap as a cleaning solution.
  3. 5 minutes after applying the composition, you need to turn on the air conditioner, first laying a film under the diffuser grille. At the same time, all the dirt will be blown out.

You can additionally treat the blades with an antibacterial agent. There are now plenty of cleaning products available on the market that are designed specifically for climate control systems.

Most air conditioner models provide the ability to remove the impeller. In this case, it can be completely immersed in a soap solution, and then rinsed with a strong stream of water and thoroughly treated with a disinfectant.

The removal sequence is as follows.

  1. Unscrew the front panel.
  2. Carefully remove the drainage bath so as not to spill the liquid there. In this case, it must be disconnected from the board (remove the connector) and from the drain hose.
  3. Rotate the drum until the locking screw is visible. It is located at the junction of the drum with the motor (one blade is missing there).
  4. Remove the screw by carefully bending the evaporator.
  5. After cleaning the drum, assembly is performed in reverse order.

If you remove the impeller improperly, the air conditioner can be damaged. This procedure is recommended only for people familiar with the technique.


Radiator and heat exchanger

At home, the radiator and evaporator can be cleaned only superficially without removing them. Deep cleaning is carried out in service centers with removal of the indoor unit and then reinstallation. The cost of such a procedure is considerable, so it is better to regularly carry out maintenance yourself in order to prevent heavy accumulation of dirt on the air conditioner elements.

Step-by-step instruction

  1. Remove the top cover, air filters and unscrew the front panel.
  2. Clean the radiator and evaporator with a long-hair brush. In this case, movements should only be in the direction from top to bottom, otherwise the thin plates of the heat exchanger may be damaged.
  3. Pour 0.5 liters of antiseptic into a spray bottle, and switch the air conditioner to recirculation mode at the lowest possible temperature.
  4. Spray the antiseptic in the air suction area (not on the radiator itself, but near it).

If a dirt film has formed on the heat exchanger, it can be removed using a steam cleaner. Dry dust must first be removed with a brush, and after cleaning with steam, treat with an antiseptic.


External unit

The external unit is also susceptible to contamination, but there are practically no body fat. This simplifies the cleaning procedure.

  1. Turn off power.
  2. Remove the protective cover.
  3. Remove large debris with a brush or vacuum cleaner.
  4. Wash the fan blades.
  5. Wash the radiator of the external unit with a hose or using a steam generator. In this case, you need to ensure that water does not get into the electrical part of the unit.

Why contact the service center?

Despite the fact that the radiator and fan of the indoor and outdoor units can be cleaned yourself, this does not cancel the service. When operating an air conditioner, even under the most ideal conditions, loss of refrigerant (freon or freon) occurs. Normally, its amount decreases by 5-7% per year. If the circuit is depressurized, much more freon can leak out.

Regular and correct cleaning of split systems will increase their reliable operation and maintain functionality in all operating modes. But not only that. A clean air conditioner successfully combats harmful pollutants that are present in the air of residential premises.

We will talk about how to clean climate control equipment, which can be done independently. The article we presented describes in detail the process of disassembling the system to remove contaminants and options for processing functional components. Taking into account our tips, you can clean the unit without difficulty.

Cleaning procedure for climate control devices, step by step instructions Let’s look at how to implement them and use useful tips using the example of the most popular type of home and office.

Before you start cleaning the split system yourself, you need to carefully inspect it externally, focusing on the following points:

  • no damage to current-carrying wires electrical diagram, their insulation and grounding;
  • reliability of fastening of all screws in threaded connections;
  • integrity of the freon circuit;
  • no mechanical damage.

Such inspections of climate control equipment do not take much time, and it is recommended to carry them out not only before servicing the air conditioner, but also on a regular basis, at least twice a month.

Working on the principle of a vacuum cleaner, the split system traps not only dust, but also various bacteria, microorganisms, and allergens. When inspecting an air conditioner, you can see with the naked eye the deposits where these invisible enemies of health reside, which are then concentratedly released into the air

In addition to periodic cleaning and, in case of certain symptoms based on the inspection results, there may be a need for unscheduled maintenance of the unit.

Signs of excessive contamination of the split system include:

  • a characteristic unpleasant odor immediately after turning on the device;
  • leaks from the housing of the indoor module;
  • the appearance of an unusual sound during operation, extraneous crackling or increased noise;
  • change in air temperature.

At scheduled maintenance system or to treat these symptoms, it is necessary to perform all cleaning procedures in a certain step-by-step sequence, the result of which will be a device cleaned of all contaminants and operating stably.

Based on the number of main units of the split system, the cleaning procedure can also be divided into two stages: caring for the indoor unit and cleaning the outdoor module.

Disassembling and cleaning the indoor unit

The process of washing parts of split system units does not require much detailed description. We will dwell on some of the nuances of this procedure below.

The main thing in the process of cleaning the air conditioner is to correctly, without causing mechanical damage to the system, dismantle individual parts of the device for their subsequent cleaning or washing

In order to have a general idea of ​​which parts and components of the split system are subject to maintenance, you need to know its structure.

The main components of the indoor unit include:

  1. An evaporator, also known as a radiator or heat exchanger.
  2. Shaft or impeller.
  3. A motor that drives the shaft into rotation.
  4. Drainage tray/bath.
  5. Horizontal and vertical blinds.
  6. Control unit with temperature sensors and indicators.
  7. Mesh filters.
  8. The housing of the internal module, into which all parts are compactly built.

Careful familiarization with the structure of the indoor unit makes it possible to approach the cleaning procedures with understanding, and also after their completion, install all the parts in the right order in their places, carefully and correctly making the connection.

Step No. 1 - cleaning the air conditioner filters

The first step when servicing a split system is to clean the filtration elements.

The main section with upper filters, whose operating principle is based on a static effect, is located under the cover of the device. Their cleaning is the simplest procedure that does not require special knowledge and skills, and is also not too time-consuming.

It is recommended to check the degree of contamination of the primary filters and clean them as often as possible. Preferably weekly, but not less than once every 2, maximum 4 months

It is necessary to understand that even a slight accumulation of dust and grease deposits on the filters can create problems in the functioning of the entire device.

The procedure for servicing primary filters is as follows:

  1. Disconnect the device and wait at least 10 minutes.
  2. Unfasten the latches (usually on the side of the device) and open the outer cover.
  3. Remove the filter mesh sections attached to the frame.

The sides of the filter sections, placed under the housing and mounted on skids, are easy to remove.

When removing the filters, some care must be taken to avoid damaging them. In most models, in order to detach the filter mesh section from its attachment point, simply pull the tabs at the bottom edge, and it will easily come off

In order to remove an additional filter, usually a sponge, you need to remove the air ionizer if the split system is equipped with one. Typically, the ionizer is mounted on the radiator on the control panel side of the device.

You just need to carefully pull the handle, and it will easily come out of the socket along the grooves. The filter is installed with reverse side ionizer on a plastic frame and can be easily removed from its grooves.

In case of heavy contamination, you can pre-cleaning use a vacuum cleaner. Then it is recommended to wash the filters and ionizer in a container with detergent, after which - under running water. For washing, use a sponge and a soft brush.

Having completed the water procedures, all that remains is to shake off the moisture from the washed elements and lay them out to dry.

Step No. 2 - caring for the internal module

For further thorough cleaning of the entire air conditioner, it will be necessary to disassemble it, disconnecting and removing individual parts. This process is the most complex and time-consuming, especially if it is performed for the first time.

But the experience gained through regular maintenance of the device will help in the future quickly bring the home climate system into working order. ideal condition and get joy from it

The first step is to detach the front part of the housing. The screws are located underneath the plugs. By pulling the cover towards you and up at the same time, it can easily be detached from the body.

Next, remove the tray to collect condensate. To do this, you need to unscrew the screw on the side fastening on the left of the housing and all the screws holding the damper drive and control unit on the right. When disconnecting the sensor, you must be careful and under no circumstances pull on the wires, but only on the retaining bracket.

After this, the drain pipe is disconnected. Despite the fact that filters do the main job of creating a barrier to dust, quite a large amount of dirt settles on the fan blades. Therefore, the need to clean the fan shaft is beyond doubt.

In order to remove the impeller, you must first unscrew, but not completely, the screw securing it from the side of the control panel. Since the shaft is removed along with the motor, it is necessary to remove the motor wires from the connectors. As a rule, there are two such connectors.

After this, you can remove the control unit from the electronic board. To prevent moisture from entering the electronic part of the module when washing, a plastic bag is placed on the unit, which is tightly tied and secured with tape.

The continuation of the process of removing the impeller is to disconnect the heat exchanger, for which the motor mounts from the housing and evaporator are unscrewed, as well as the screw holding the evaporator on the left side of the block.

When disassembling the indoor unit, especially when removing the fan shaft, maximum care must be taken so as not to damage the evaporator fins

Completely disconnecting the indoor unit from the system connecting it to the outdoor compressor is a complex procedure and cannot be done at home. In addition, in this case, the entire system will need to be recharged with freon.

Therefore, it is enough to free the module from its attachment to the wall and carry out further cleaning procedures. For ease of operation, a rope is tied to the body of the block. With its help, it is hung on the brackets from which it was removed.

Having freed the evaporator, it will be easy to disconnect the block with the impeller and motor from the module itself and then send it to the sink.

When removing the indoor air conditioner unit from the brackets, extreme care must be taken to avoid damaging the copper circulation lines.

From this point on, further maintenance of the split system can be continued in two options:

  1. Dry removal of dust and dirt from the evaporator.
  2. Washing the heat exchanger using a spray method.

The first method involves cleaning the front of the heat exchanger with a vacuum cleaner and a brush. To clean the rear part, the heat exchanger is removed to a permissible distance from the wall and carefully vacuumed using a crevice nozzle.

Given the tight space, it is not recommended to use a brush or brush to clean the rear part of the evaporator, so as not to damage the radiator.

Along the way, you must remember to clear all available plastic seats housing, as well as the back of the condensate drain tray, using cleaning wipes or rags moistened with detergent. But even the highest quality dry cleaning of the heat exchanger will not give the effect achieved by washing it with water.

Step #3 - cleaning the evaporator

In order to wash out all the deposits that have accumulated there from the radiator and the air conditioner housing, it is necessary to first equip the protection of walls, furniture and floor coverings from splashing and flooding with water and cleaning agents.

Special service packages made from PVC material, which are assembled in the form of a container with a drain pipe and mounted under the air conditioner. Depending on the height of the indoor unit, the tube can be extended to the required dimensions

But such a device is quite accessible to make and with my own hands. To do this, you need to stock up on film, tape and a container to collect water.

The installation procedure for homemade service protection is as follows:

  1. Prepare plastic film required size: with a margin of at least 1 meter in the width of the air conditioner on both sides and taking into account the distance from the unit to the container in which waste water will be collected, a regular bucket can be used.
  2. Secure the top part of the film to the wall behind the air conditioner with tape.
  3. Collect the bottom of the film and place it in a bucket, cutting off the excess part and securing it with tape along the edge of the container.

All dirt along with water will be drained into a bucket through an equipped funnel, without causing damage to the room. The air conditioner is washed with a jet of water under pressure.

The following devices can be used for this:

  • a hose from a water tap with a nozzle for creating a high-pressure jet;
  • manual pump sprayer;
  • Kärcher automobile apparatus.

Karcher, which creates high pressure, should be used with some caution.

Assembling the indoor air conditioner module is carried out in the reverse order. When disassembling for the first time, it is recommended to record the entire process, leaving notes about the main actions on paper, or using video/photo shooting.

Care and accuracy in this matter will not lead to a situation in which after assembling the product, unnecessary parts will remain.

Maintenance of the external module of the split system

The main enemy of outdoor air conditioner units is street dust and poplar fluff. In the absence of timely maintenance, the condenser and compressor of this module, depending on the height of the location, will work effectively for no more than two to three seasons.

The maintenance procedure for the external unit is somewhat simpler than the internal one, and does not require complete disassembly, removing the fan, heat exchangers and other parts

To properly service this module, you must also understand its design.

The outdoor unit includes:

  1. A fan that supplies air flow to the heat exchanger.
  2. A capacitor, which is a system of copper tubes, through which freon circulates.
  3. A compressor that compresses and circulates refrigerant through the system.
  4. A four-way valve that provides reverse operation of the split system, changing the roles of the condenser and evaporator.
  5. Filter.

As when working with the indoor unit, before starting the cleaning procedure of the outdoor module, you must make sure that the system is de-energized. At the first stage, all contaminants on the unit body are removed, after which the front panel is dismantled and you can begin cleaning from the inside.

Step by step it looks like this:

  1. Remove the grille and fan.
  2. Protect the engine from moisture by hiding it as tightly as possible in a plastic bag.
  3. Dry clean accessible areas of the internal system of the device using a paint brush.
  4. Use detergent to clean all internal parts of the module that are accessible when the front is open, as well as, where possible, on the outside, on the sides and at the back.
  5. After waiting 5-10 minutes, wash all components in the same way as described for the indoor unit.
  6. Install all removed parts in reverse order.

It should be remembered that cleaning the radiator of the internal module must also be done with care so as not to bend or damage its fins.

During cleaning, it is advisable to inspect its components. It is important to identify problems in a timely manner in order to immediately correct problems. Our recommended article will introduce you to the rules of diagnostics.

A special feature of servicing external modules is that you can only clean the unit yourself if it is mounted within easy reach. In other cases, you will still have to resort to the services of service technicians who are certified to work at heights

It is important not only to understand in what sequence and how to clean the components of split systems in normal home conditions, but also not to violate basic safety measures.

All contacts with internal components of the system are allowed only when the device is de-energized, and when working at height, it is necessary to provide insurance and exercise maximum caution.

Cleaning the drainage outlet

Aggregate changes in the state of the refrigerant inevitably lead to the formation of condensate. Accumulating in the indoor unit, water is discharged through a special drainage pipeline into the outdoor module, from where it flows down.

A clogged drainage pipe and, as a result, a lack of free removal of water can cause problems during operation of the device. Often, the causes of clogged drainage systems can be not only deposits that have arisen during the operation of the device, but also, for example, a plug from a nest made by wasps.

By disconnecting the drain pipe and gaining access to the hole in the drain pipe, you can clean it mechanically. An antenna cable is quite suitable for this.

  1. Fill the system with a disinfectant, such as hospital-grade chlorhexidine, approximately 4 bottles.
  2. Wait at least 15 minutes, connect a vacuum cleaner hose to the drainage tube and suck out all deposits.

If you don’t have a pump, you can pump in disinfectant manually using plastic bottle, which needs to be connected with a rubber tube with a hose to the drainage hole. By raising the container above the level of the drainage inlet, the liquid is pumped into the system using simple compressions.

An option is to remove drainage contaminants using the blowing method. This is available if the vacuum cleaner has this function, as well as with the help of a pump or a Kärcher high-pressure steam generator

With different diameters of the drainage hole and air injection device, you can make an adapter. With a little imagination, this is not difficult to do at home using available materials.

Antibacterial treatment of equipment

At the final stage of servicing the split system, a procedure for processing all parts will be mandatory. antifungal agents and antibacterial compounds acceptable for spraying in residential areas.

To neutralize the air conditioner from germs and various microorganisms, the following can be used:

  • compositions containing antibacterial agents;
  • special cleaners for air conditioning systems;
  • The process of antibacterial treatment of split systems is simple and easily carried out using an ordinary trigger sprayer into which a disinfectant is poured, or with aerosol preparations

    Often, simple clogging causes a decrease in the cooling capacity of climate control equipment. Full list The reasons for the malfunction of the unit are presented in, which we highly recommend reading.

    Conclusions and useful video on the topic

    Tips for disassembling, servicing and assembling the indoor unit of an air conditioner from a specialist:

    Do-it-yourself disassembly and cleaning of the external air conditioner module:

    A mechanical method for removing a plug in the drainage pipeline of an air conditioner, the formation of which was caused by a wasp’s nest:

    It should be understood that the need to invite specialists to repair it depends on how regularly the split system is cleaned. But not only that.

    The given tips for self-service of the air conditioner will provide practical assistance in keeping it constantly clean, and this is a guarantee of protection against unwanted health consequences in the comfort zone.

    Would you like to talk about how you cleaned your own or office split system yourself? Do you have useful information that can make the cleaning process easier for site visitors? Please write comments in the block below, post photographs, and ask questions about the topic of the article.

Today, air conditioners have become an integral part of the life of any modern person. They are installed in offices, salons, cottages, shops, and apartments. These devices are able to provide the room with the necessary coolness in hot weather. And some of them can even increase the heat level in a room in winter. During operation of the device, any owner of the device is faced with the question: “How to clean the filter in the air conditioner and is it necessary to call specialists for this?”

Why does the air conditioning system become dirty?

Before we talk about how to clean the filters in the device and the air conditioner itself, it is necessary to at least approximately imagine the principle of its operation and understand how important cleaning the device is. Agree, many of you have probably heard from your neighbors or friends that they haven’t cleaned their appliances for several years, but they still work.

The operation of any device from a series of split systems involves the fact that it has to pass many cubic meters of air through itself every day. And the air contains dust, dirt from the street or indoors. All this, passing through the device, settles on its internal components.

Accumulating dust and dirt can subsequently cause a very bad odor during operation of the device, as well as loud noise. Internal details devices are in constant contact with a humid environment from the condensation that forms, and this is the most favorite area for the development of mold and other fungi. That is why for every owner, cleaning the filters and the air conditioner itself should become a mandatory and regular procedure.

If cleaning is diligently ignored, then the filters will no longer cope with air purification, and this, especially in winter, can cause many infectious diseases. And of course timely prevention from dust will help extend the life of your device many times over.

Why clean the system

Air conditioners have one feature: unlike many household appliances, improper operation of the air conditioner always remains almost invisible. All defects do not appear immediately, but gradually accumulate and contribute to the failure of the device. Among the main factors that influence why you need to clean the air conditioner filter are the following:

  • without cleaning, polluted air begins to enter the room;
  • a dirty filter creates an ideal environment not only for the development of fungi and bacteria, but also mites;
  • Dirty filters and device units significantly reduce its service life.

When to clean your air conditioner

As a rule, the passport for any device must indicate the periods when it is desirable to carry out preventive cleaning of the device itself or its filters. But sometimes in conditions permanent job and increased air pollution, preventive work may be required much earlier than scheduled.

If you notice that your system has started to work somehow wrong:

  1. After starting the device, you begin to smell an unpleasant, musty smell.
  2. While the device was operating, you began to notice that water began to flow out of the internal unit of the device.
  3. When you turned on the air conditioning device, there were extraneous noises in the operation of the device, crackling or metallic clanging.

All this is a sign that the time has come to carry out certain works. You can clean the air conditioner filter yourself. You can also clean the internal unit of the device from accumulations of dust and dirt on your own.

How to clean the system air filter

These elements, operating on the principle of a static effect, ideal need to be cleaned at least once a month. As experts note, even minor formations of dust and dirt can become a serious obstacle to the operation of the air filter.

And the question naturally arises: How to clean the air conditioner filter yourself, since calling specialists every month for such work will be very expensive.

The work is carried out in several stages:

  1. First, remove the outer cover of the air conditioner.
  2. Carefully lift the bottom of the filter and pull it out.
  3. Rinse the filter under the tap with warm water. For greater efficiency, you can use dishwashing detergent and a soft sponge.
  4. Next, put the filter down and let it dry. Do not place the filter near heat sources: radiators, boilers, gas stoves.
  5. After the element has dried, it can be inserted back into the device.

How to clean the indoor unit

It is worth noting that most often the cleaning procedure requires inner part device. If you have such a device at home, you should definitely know how to clean the filter in the air conditioner, which is located inside the device, and how to clean the unit itself.

The internal filter has a mesh with small cells. It is located under the front panel of the device. Through it, air from outside enters the system. Fine dust particles and larger dirt particles remain on this mesh. Thanks to this, both the room and the internal components of the device remain reliably protected.

Cleaning work is carried out as follows:

This completes the cleaning of the filters in the system. Experts recommend paying attention to the environment and carrying out preventive work depending on the conditions. The purpose of the air conditioner filter is, first of all, to purify the air coming from outside.

For example, you will need to clean the filters of a split system located on the 9th floor of a high-rise building in an ecologically clean area much less frequently than a device located on the ground floor of an office located near a noisy highway.

Frequently encountered problems

How the filter protects the air conditioner and the room from dirt and dust is already known. But is it necessary to take any measures not only for cleaning, but also for maintaining the device for efficient and long-term operation?

Of course, it is necessary. Firstly, experts recommend that the device be prepared for summer season. This is due to the fact that you will need to technically prepare the air conditioner. In summer the air is much more dusty than in winter.

Very often, owners complain that the device has stopped cooling the air. Most common cause is a leak of refrigerant from the appliance. The primary factor here is to find out the cause of the breakdown.


Many owners of split systems are faced with the problem that they cannot determine when exactly the filter needs to be cleaned. It is worth noting that almost all modern devices are equipped with indicators that show the degree of filter contamination.

If this indicator is missing, then you should rely on the average optimal period, which is determined by the manufacturer, approximately 1 month.

Do not forget that the filters in devices are different. For example, pocket filters are completely disposable and should never be washed like mesh filters. Such an element will have to be completely replaced after it reaches its maximum.

Thus, by defining for yourself priority cleaning times, you can always be sure of efficient work your air conditioner. By carrying out preventive maintenance on time, you can be sure that your device perfectly cleans and cools the air in the room, and dust, dirt, bacteria and fungi do not accumulate in the cleaning elements.

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