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Is It Okay to Spray Water on Your Air Conditioner While It’s Running?
Writer Leave your thoughts • May 03, 2023
People are often hesitant to spray water directly onto a running air conditioner. The reason is the worry that splashing water on a running electrical appliance may cause a fire, short circuit, or fry the HVAC.
Yes, spraying water on your air conditioner while running is okay. Don’t panic! To run efficiently, the condenser unit of your AC needs occasional spraying to remove dirt, grass chips, and other debris to keep it running efficiently.
Connect a garden hose and spray the air conditioner thoroughly for an excellent outside wash. You don’t even need to be gentle. Please set it to a hard stream and run water over the system from top to bottom till it’s squeaky clean.
However, some parts of the air conditioning system should be left dry. Be careful not to get water into these parts as it might fault the unit, and you’ll have to call a professional for assistance.
Advantages of Spraying Water on Your Air Conditioner
There are several perks to the regular spritz on your unit. They include the following:
Improve Efficiency
When the water gets to the condenser, it evaporates, which helps cool it. A cool condenser runs more efficiently while consuming less energy. Ultimately, it saves and lowers the amount you pay for energy.
Increase Durability
The less work your air conditioner does, the longer it will last. Therefore, to increase the unit’s durability, save it from overworking and fatigue.
In addition, pay attention to the filters as well. Clogged filters can cause severe faults in your air conditioner. You must clean and change your filters every 60-90 days.
Improve Cleanliness
As your AC unit runs, it collects dust and other debris that clogs the filter over time. Spraying your unit with water helps keep it clean by removing unwanted particles. A clogged unit will cost you money for repairs, replacements, and maintenance.
How to Clean Your HVAC Unit
Apart from spraying down your HVAC with water, there are additional cleaning tasks you need to do for your unit to run optimally. They include the following:
Clean the AC Evaporator Coils
An air conditioner has two types of coils:
- Condenser coils that propel the warm air outside
- Evaporator coils that absorb heat and humidity for the air
It is best to clean the coils as often as possible. However, if you are still determining your qualifications, contact a professional technician company for their air conditioning repair services.
If you decide to clean the coils, here is how to go about it:
- First, switch off the main power and thermostat
- Inspect for any visible damage to the unit. Call for assistance if you note any significant damage
- Remove the debris stuck on the unit
- Remove the fan to avoid damaging the fan blades and wiring
- Spray a coil cleaner on the coils and rinse off gently. Avoid spraying the fan motor
- Reassemble the unit, turn the power back on, and reset the thermostat to cool
- Listen for any strange noises from the air-conditioning and call a technician if you hear anything
Clean the Fins
When cleaning the AC coils, you ought to clean the fins too.
- Using a soft brush or vacuum, gently run through the fins in an up-and-down motion
- Using a cooling fin comb, straighten up any of the bent or damaged fins
- Then moderately spritz the fins with water to reduce the buildup
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions on AC unit cleaning:
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How long should I wait to turn the AC on after coil cleaning?
The AC unit must be completely dry before turning it on again. You can at least wait 30-60 or 24 hours, depending on your cautiousness. You can always call an AC technician if you notice any strange noises from the unit.
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Can I clean the air conditioner’s coils by myself?
You can clean the AC coils by blowing out the dust and debris using compressed air in a canister. However, if you need to open the unit to clean the coils, you should probably call a professional and pay for the service. In addition, calling a technician for air conditioning repair saves you from incurring damage.
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Can water damage my air conditioner?
Spraying your unit with water is generally safe. However, flooding your air conditioner with water may cause electrical damage or immobility of the moving parts. If flooding affects the AC unit or it is sitting in a pool of water, it is best to call a technician for an inspection.
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Does spraying water on my air conditioner help?
There are benefits to running water through your HVAC unit from top to bottom. In addition to keeping it clean, the water cools the evaporator coils, helping them run more efficiently, which increases their lifespan.
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How do you clean the outside of an AC?
You can remove the large debris like leaves, sticks, and grass clippings for the unit by hand. Then connect your hose and spray water on the air conditioning. Ensure to wash off all the dirt and dust from the system. Finish by straightening the bent fins using a fin comb or butter knife. For a thorough job, contact an AC professional.
Contact your Trusted HVAC Company
Call a HVAC professional if you have doubts about your ability to clean your AC unit, the evaporating coils, and the fins. When you call Randy’s Mechanical, Inc. for help, you can be sure to get the best maintenance service for your unit. We also do repairs and installations if you need a new air conditioning unit.
Randy’s Mechanical, Inc. is a member of the BBB and NFIB. We are experts in repairing and installing air-conditioning units, furnaces, radiant heating, swamp coolers, and more. With over 40 years of experience, we provide services at residential and commercial levels. Reach us by email at info@randysmech.com or call or text us at (801) 226-1592. You can also fill out our online form, and one of our agents will reach out.
Phone: (801) 226-1592
Email: info@randysmech.com
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Orem, UT 84057
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