How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner Evaporator Coils?

Hi Rina, I recently found that my AC’s evaporator coils have a huge buildup of dirt and need cleaning. So, I learned how to clean window AC coils at home and can share the process with you. 

In the technique, I used a homemade coil cleaner to do the job. Let me tell you the whole process. 

Which is the Best Way to Clean Window AC Coils?

First of all, the evaporator coil fins are delicate and can bend with ease. Apart from this, they are sharp as well. So, wear protective gloves before you start cleaning. 

1. To start with, take a soft brush and gently scrub the coils. Take a coil comb and clean the surface, which is between the coil fins.

2. You can either buy a commercial cleaner or make one on your own. Mix a mild detergent in warm water and transfer it into a spray bottle. 

3. Spray this liquid over the coils and let it rest for 20 minutes. Take a soft cloth and wipe the coils.

So, this is the method of window air conditioner evaporator coil cleaning. I hope this helps.

Keeping our window air conditioner's evaporator coils clean is crucial for maintaining its efficiency and extending its lifespan. I learnt this when I got my AC servicing done via NoBroker last year. They were so efficient at what they did. They explained so much about AC servicing and the ways to keep my AC working efficiently. They even expalined to me

how to clean window AC evaporator coil.

NoBroker AC Servicing Services offers comprehensive

AC evaporator coils cleaning

and maintenance services, including evaporator coil cleaning. Our experienced technicians will carefully clean the coils and ensure your AC unit is operating efficiently and effectively.

How to Clean a Window AC Coil?

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean your window AC evaporator coils:

1. Gather Supplies: Before you begin, gather the necessary materials, including a soft-bristled brush, a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, a spray bottle filled with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water, and protective gloves and eyewear.

2. Power Off the Unit: Ensure the window AC unit is unplugged and completely powered off to prevent any electrical hazards.

3. Locate the Evaporator Coils: Open the front panel of the AC unit and locate the evaporator coils. These are typically finned coils located behind the air filter.

4. Remove Debris and Dust: Use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove any loose debris or dust from the evaporator coils. Be careful not to bend or damage the delicate fins.

5. Clean with Vinegar Solution: Spray the evaporator coils with the vinegar solution. The vinegar will help dissolve any accumulated dirt or grime.

6. Vacuum Excess Liquid: Allow the vinegar solution to sit for a few minutes to work its magic. Then, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove any excess liquid and remaining debris.

7. Dry Thoroughly: Use a clean cloth or paper towels to thoroughly dry the evaporator coils.

8. Inspect and Repeat: Inspect the evaporator coils for any remaining dirt or grime. If necessary, repeat the cleaning process until they are completely clean.

9. Replace Air Filter: Once the evaporator coils are clean, replace the air filter with a new one. This will help prevent dust and debris from accumulating on the coils in the future.

10. Professional Servicing: For more thorough cleaning and to ensure optimal performance, consider having your window AC unit serviced by a qualified technician at least once a year.

Now you know

how to clean evaporator coils on window air conditioner.

Hi Buddy,

During some of the sweltering summer heat, the air conditioner of my house saved me a lot. But I learned that by knowing how to clean AC evaporator coils inside house, I can make sure that they operate effectively and extend their service. Dust and other airborne particles that air conditioning units remove frequently, cause them to become clogged. Hence, regular maintenance and inspections are required.

Though I hired cleaning professionals to assist me with cleaning the air conditioner, I would still like to brief you about the process that I witnessed.

• Take the face panel off and clean it

The face panel is the front-facing, metal, or plastic grate of your air conditioner. It will be fastened to your device either with screws, clips, tabs, or both. For precise instructions on how to remove it, check the user handbook. On some versions, the filter could be located inside the face panel. If so, remove the filter according to the manufacturer's recommendations before cleaning the face panel.

After removing the face panel and perhaps the filter, spray the panel with your cleaning solution and wipe it down. You may also take it outside and use a garden hose to clean it. During the time that you are cleaning the other components, set the face panel aside to dry.

• Filter removal and cleaning

Once you remove, the filter vacuums up any substantial sediment deposits and then use a moist cloth to wipe away any remaining dust or debris.

Take it outside and give it a thorough cleaning with a garden hose. When flipping it halfway, it should take a couple of hours for the filter to completely dry before being reinstalled.

• Clean the inside with a vacuum

Clean out the cabinet or interior of your air conditioner with a vacuum. This contains the condenser at the back, the fan and blower in the middle, the evaporator at the front, and the drain pan at the bottom of the unit.

Pay close attention to cleaning the evaporator and condenser's tiny aluminium fins. To prevent bending or harming the fins, vacuum in the same direction as the fins (vertically or up-and-down) using a gentle brush attachment on your vacuum line.

When handling the compressor and evaporator, it is advisable to wear protective gloves due to the possibility of sharp metal fins.

• Splash it Down

Apply hydrogen peroxide to the internal cabinet and external casing, and then use a cloth or rag to wipe down everything that is within your reach.

The evaporator and condenser coils can be cleaned with the same spray cleaning solution or using an AC coil cleaner spray. In either situation, you can rinse the cleaner with water or let it air dry. If you choose to rinse it off, give the cleanser 10 to 20 minutes to soak to help it break up any caked-on dirt.

However, this process was followed by the professionals but later on when I tried cleaning the evaporator coils, I used a vinegar solution, and the result was awesome.

How to clean AC evaporator coil with vinegar

A spray bottle, vinegar, and water are needed. In the bottle, combine half vinegar and half water. Apply the solution to the condenser and evaporator coils after thoroughly shaking them. Let part of the solution drip out, then use the cleaning rags to remove the remaining solution. Vinegar is a highly powerful cleanser and won't damage the parts. The dust should readily wash off. An all-purpose oven cleaner could be required if there is still a fair amount of dust and debris after cleaning. You can follow this process in order to clean AC evaporator coils yourself.

Use the evaporator blower wheel to carry out the same steps once more. Make sure to wipe the solvent off completely. In a similar manner, clean the caps covering the fan motor ports. It will probably be necessary to use compressed air to clear up the ports themselves. You can do this right away or later.

• Clean up the fins

Bent fins on your evaporator or condenser might impair performance or cause an early failure of your air conditioner. Put on gloves and put a knife or fin comb just above or below the bent sections in the gap between the fins. When the bent fins are straight, gently comb or run the knife in the same direction (parallel to) the surrounding, unaffected fins.

• Replace the air filter every three months and be sure to clean it at least once every month.

• Each week, dust the exterior of the device, and once a month wash it with a damp cloth.

• During the off-season, take the unit out of the window and store it.

I would like to conclude my answer here about cleaning the AC evaporator coils. I hope this helps:)

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