The United States has recently experienced episodes of high winds in various sections of the country from coast to coast. These high winds have very likely had an adverse effect on home air conditioning and HVAC systems as they are particularly sensitive to changes in air quality. Now that these episodes have ended, this is the perfect time to clean all the dust and debris left behind by these winds from your HVAC machinery and components.
Cleaning your A/C unit will prevent parts from breaking and leading to eventual repairs that can be quite expensive. Dust, allergens and mold are all triggers of health problems for your family so cleaning your unit needs to be addressed promptly. Poor indoor air quality directly impacts your family’s comfort and health. Dust and dirt residue in air conditioning duct work and on the unit’s coils needs to be removed to improve home air quality.
First check to see if your filter is clean. If it is not, replace it. If you have a re-useable filter, turn off your air conditioner and remove the filter from the unit. Place it in the kitchen sink (or bathtub, depending on its size) and cover it up with warm, soapy water. While it is submerged, wipe all the dirt and particulate matter off of it with a sponge or cloth.
When scrubbed, take the hose attachment and rinse the filter thoroughly from the opposite side to blow the grime off with the water pressure from it. Dry it thoroughly with a dishtowel before placing it back in the A/C unit. Dust the entire unit with a cloth or feather duster at the same time.
If you begin to notice a musty smell in your house, it is an indication that your unit’s evaporator coils need to be cleaned. Because the coils are situated within the air flow stream of your furnace, any dirt and dust they accumulate on their surface is then circulated throughout all the ductwork of the air conditioning system.
Another problem you may experience is a clogged drain plug on the pan that collects the condensation under the A/C coil. If you notice water under or near your furnace, the drain pan may be clogged and overflowing. You might also find dripping water from the system’s secondary drain, which is usually placed in the house where a drip will be noticed.
An appointment needs to be made now for general A/C maintenance and a thorough duct cleaning plus cleaning of the condenser coils after all the dust spread by winds and weather this year. A cleaning appointment always needs to be made immediately when you experience problems with mustiness, leaks and dirty ducts. Mold breeds in condenser pans and is a significant health risk.
Indoor Air Quality testing done by a certified HVAC technician can be conducted before and after your home’s HVAC Vent cleaning to determine your indoor air quality. This should assure you that you have rid your air conditioning system of dust and dirt accumulated due to this year’s heavy winds.