Can You Safely Power Wash Your Outdoor AC Unit?

AC Cleaning in Peoria, IL

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 to warp or bend.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

If you notice an excessive accumulation of debris on the outdoor unit, it’s best to arrange a maintenance visit with a qualified HVAC service technician. The technician can evaluate your system and safely maintain it. Consider asking the technician about maintenance tasks you can safely perform between professional tune-ups. We recommend an annual AC tune-up, and spring is the optimal season to schedule this visit.

In addition to air conditioner maintenance, our technicians at Fritch Heating & Cooling, Inc. also offer heating maintenance and heating and cooling installation and repair. Our indoor air quality and ductwork services keep your home energy-efficient, healthy, and comfortable. If you’re a business owner in the Peoria area, you can also turn to us for commercial HVAC services. For more information on maintaining your AC unit, get in touch with us at Fritch Heating & Cooling, Inc. today.