Can You Safely Power Wash Your Outdoor AC Unit?
The outdoor unit of your Peoria, IL home’s air conditioning system is constantly exposed to the elements. In addition to sunlight, dust, and dirt getting on the unit’s housing, pollen, tree sap, and animal droppings may also accumulate on it. This debris interferes with the AC system’s energy efficiency and longevity, so you might wonder how to clean it and whether or not it’s safe to do so. Read on to learn more about whether or not it’s safe to power wash your AC unit. Avoid AC Damage Never power wash any part of your AC unit. A power washer delivers too much pressure. This pressure warps aluminum. In some cases, the high-pressure stream of water can crack the tubing, which will cause a total failure of your air conditioner. Safe Ways to Clean the AC Unit Once each month, rinse the outdoor unit. It’s safe to do this with a garden hose and spray nozzle. To start, power off the AC. Turn off the breaker to the unit. Use the jet spray setting on the nozzle, and rinse bird droppings, tree sap, or other caked-on debris. Avoid scrubbing the unit’s metal fins or coils, as this could cause them...
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