Updated at: 14-04-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Are you cleaning your portable air conditioner and wondering, “How do I clean the coils?” Using a moist cloth or a soft-bristled brush, remove the dirt and dust that has accumulated on the coils of your portable air conditioner. If you’re concerned about damaging the coils during the cleaning process, you can use certain specialized coil cleaning solutions.

A portable air conditioner may be moved from room to room and is ideal for cooling smaller spaces. It’s frequently placed on the floor so it can be moved about fast.

Portable air conditioners with wheels are a great option to window or installation cooling systems because they are easier to move about.

Even though numerous germs and pollutants can cause health problems to humans, having clean, safe, and fresh air is of the biggest importance nowadays. It’s also important to maintain the cleanliness of the appliances that keep your home free of pollution.

When cleaning your portable air conditioner, take your time and be thorough. The coil is an important part that must be cleaned properly due to the ease with which they can be damaged.

If you’re having trouble cleaning the coils on your portable air conditioner, keep reading this guide.

Prepare your portable air conditioner for cleaning

Before you can start cleaning, you’ll need to conduct some preliminary work. Here’s what you need to know about getting ready for the event.

  • Unplug your portable air conditioner and set it down on a stable surface to prevent damage to it. Don’t wipe your appliance on pricey flooring since water could spill.
  • Amass your arsenal. In addition to a screwdriver and a damp cleaning cloth, you’ll also require a bucket or shallow pan and a new air filter, if necessary.
  • Your air conditioner should be disassembled. Each model is different, but you’ll likely need to unscrew a few panels at the back to get inside.

How to Clean Your Portable Air Conditioner - YouTube

1. Drain the water

A portable air conditioner’s primary function is to remove moisture from the air. It is important to empty this container on a regular basis to remove the condensed water from the unit. When the water tank is full, some units feature an indication light to let you know, but other units do not.

To remove the water, locate the drain on the unit’s back. Submerge your bucket or shallow tray in the drain and wait for the water to run out. Another option is to connect a hose to the drain on your portable air conditioner so that the water automatically drains without your intervention.

2. Clean and replace the air filters

Maintaining clean air filters is critical to the proper operation of your HVAC system. Your air conditioner may struggle to cool and circulate air if your filters are clogged or unclean. Dirt and other obstructions should be removed from them at least twice a month (and more frequently during the hottest months of the year).

The cleaning technique for air filters varies depending on the model of AC unit you have, since some filters may be washed, while others must be replaced every time they are clogged. Removeable filters can be cleaned with a vacuum and warm, soapy water if necessary. Wait until it’s completely dry before putting it back in.

3. Check the coils

The coils of your portable air conditioner are another crucial (and expensive) component that should be examined for dirt and debris. You could wind up with a costly repair bill if you’re not careful when cleaning them.

Your portable air conditioner coils should be cleaned with a moist cloth or soft-bristled brush. Special cleaning solutions can be purchased at your local hardware store in order to maintain your coils as clean as possible.

4. Tidy up the exterior

Wipe off the panels with a gentle, wet cloth while they are still detached. The panels should be reattached only after all the dust has been removed from the vents and other small areas where it may have accumulated.

Even when you aren’t undertaking a thorough cleaning, you should keep your portable air conditioner’s outside clean by wiping it down on a regular basis. Check the unit once a week to remove any debris, pet hair, or other obstructions that may be obstructing the unit’s ability to function properly.

5. Store your portable AC unit properly

Remember to drain the tank and clean the filter before storing your air conditioner. Afterwards, you should run the machine in fan mode for around 30 minutes to an hour to remove any remaining moisture. Before storing anything, make sure it’s completely dry.

How to Clean a Portable Air Conditioner - Instructables

The air conditioner should be stored in its original packing, if feasible. When storing it for the winter, make sure it’s kept clean and dry to prevent mold growth.

It’s done! By following these simple procedures, you’ll be able to breathe easier, save money, and get more use out of your portable air conditioner.

Kinds of Coils in AC Units

There is an indoor unit, usually a furnace and fan coil or evaporator coil; and an outside unit known as the air conditioning unit.

The air conditioning process relies on the coils found in each of these units.

It is common to refer to the evaporator coil as the “outlet side” or the “intake side” of a fan coil. Because it removes heat from the air, a blower fan may restore cool, fresh air to the house.

Condenser coils positioned in the outer unit dissipate heat that has been absorbed from inside the unit. Fins, thin aluminum strips, are used in the majority of condenser and evaporator coils, which are typically formed of copper tubing.

Airflow through the coil aids in the passage of heat energy into and out of the house when there are other coil designs and compositions, such as all-aluminum coils or backbone fin coils, which appear like a large pipe-cleaner.

Keeping the coils clean is important because they play such an important role in the process. Coil cleaning is best done by a trained expert, even if it appears to be a simple DIY project.

In order to keep your AC coils operating at their best and for as long as possible, have them serviced by a Carrier® HVAC dealer in your area.

Why Is It Important to Wash AC Coils?

Coil surfaces can become contaminated with dust, filth, debris, and other pollutants as a result of the cooling process, the close spacing between coil fins, and the volume of air passing through them.

Deterioration of heat transfer efficiency and thus a reduction in the cooling capacity occur over time as a result of accumulation.

Dirty coils can obstruct or reduce the amount of airflow, which is critical to the entire process. As a result of the decreased energy efficiency, your house may be less pleasant to live in, and your electricity costs may rise.

Using a machine that has dirty coils can shorten its lifespan and necessitate expensive repairs. The more efficient the air conditioning system is, the cleaner the coils are.

A dirty coil could result in:

Risen operating temperatures

Compressors and fans have to work harder and at higher operating temperatures to maintain a comfortable indoor environment when there is an abundance of waste and dirt.

Reduced comfort

As part of the cooling process, your air conditioner removes undesirable and unwelcome humidity. Dirty coils can reduce the efficiency of the entire system, resulting in increased humidity inside the unit and reduced comfort for the user.

Decreased cooling efficiency

Building up on the coil surface causes them to work more to absorb or release heat, which results in less efficient performance.

How to Clean a Portable Air Conditioner - Instructables

Increased cooling costs

Increased operating expenses are a direct result of subpar service. Dirty coils involve spending more money, maintaining your space cool.

Increased System Wear

Increased operating expenses are a direct result of subpar service. Your cooling costs will go up if your coils are dirty.

System repairs or replacement

Higher operating costs are the result of a subpar service. Dirty coils necessitate more money and effort to keep your home cool.

How Frequently Should AC Coils Be Cleaned?

Inefficient service translates into higher operating expenses. Maintaining a comfortable temperature in a room with dirty coils will cost you more in the long run.

Increased operating expenses are a direct result of subpar service. Your cooling costs will go up if your coils are dirty.

Methods To Clean Portable Air Conditioner Coils

Your portable air conditioner’s coils need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Dirt, dust, and bacteria could be carried by the air when these coils remove the warm air from your home.

In order for your air conditioner to perform as efficiently as possible, dirt, dust, and bacteria must build up on the unit and pollute the air that you are breathing.

In order to maximize the performance of your air conditioner and improve the quality of the air in your home, you must thoroughly clean the filters on a regular basis.

Before you begin cleaning, keep in mind that the AC system’s coils are extremely delicate and should be treated with care. It is possible that the coils might be harmed if they were cleaned carelessly or with the wrong cleaning substance.

Learn how to properly clean your air conditioner’s coils to avoid any disasters. To be on the safe side, you should hire a professional to clean your portable air conditioner coils, but if you’d rather do it yourself, here are four common approaches.

Method #1. Tools needed

Before you can begin cleaning the portable AC coils, you must first gather the necessary cleaning supplies. If you had a vacuum with a soft brush, a coil cleaner, and an unused cloth, that would be fantastic.

Method #2. Removing the outer parts

Coil access can only be gained by dismantling all the other components that encircle it. For safety’s sake, unplug the air conditioner before beginning the coil cleaning. Afterwards, remove the AC’s covers and filters to get to the coils.

To prevent dust from entering your portable AC while you remove the filters, place a cloth on top of the unit. In order to conveniently remove the filter from the cooling system, the AC unit’s filter features a small aperture on top.

Method #3. Cleaning the coils

The coils should first be cleaned with a soft-bristle brush because they are delicate and easily damaged. Because of the delicate nature of the coils, employ an up-and-down motion to scrub it. You can see the dirt and dust progressively being removed from the fins as you scrub it with a light touch.

Avoid dust accumulation over time by thoroughly cleaning all coil components, including nuts, corners, and even the smallest gaps.

The coils of your portable air conditioner may become clogged with dirt if they are not cleaned on a regular basis. Keep the brush clean by wiping it down with a clean cloth on a regular basis to prevent dust and debris from adhering to the coils.

Alternatively, you can rinse the coils with water to remove any light dust before vacuuming them with a gentle brush.

Coil cleaners can be used to remove heavy dust and grime from the coils, which can then be rinsed clean. Using a brush to remove excessive filth from the coils is not an option. You never know what might happen if you scrub it too hard.

Method #4. Attaching the parts

You can replace the filters and covers on your portable air conditioner once you’ve finished cleaning the coils. It is now time to turn it on and use it. When you open your portable air conditioner, you’ll notice a noticeable difference in the quality of the chilly air it produces.

Rinsing the Evaporator Coils is Important

Coils can be washed with water after the drip is cleared. You don’t have to use a high-pressure spray because you’ll be spraying the coils. Using force to spray from the exterior of the condenser coils, for example, can induce deeper obstructions.

Remove any collected material from the coils by rinsing them with a cleanser and flushing it into the drip tray and the drainpipe For around ten minutes, run hot water through the drop tray to flush the drain line.

The drain for your evaporator will connect to the tub drain if it is installed above the tub. Drain stopper weight and bracket must be removed prior to flushing. This will cause the tub’s drain to be emptied. As soon as the rinse water is clear, you’ll know that the drain has been thoroughly cleaned.

After reinstalling all the pieces you removed from the tub drain and the evaporator access panel, turn on the AC. There should be no leaks or unusual noises from the vents, and the air should be blowing hard and cold.

Heavy Duty Coil Cleaning

HVAC experts may be needed if the fin combs or coil cleaners are not removing the buildup. A deep clean of your coils is what they will be able to do for you.

As a bonus, if you can’t get to the evaporator unit for any other reason, you may be eligible for this service.

Professional cleaning of both condenser and evaporator coils should cost between $100 and $400, according to our research.

DIY) How to clean a portable air conditioner with vent hose. - YouTube

Conclusion

Clean portable air conditioner coils can be accomplished in one of four ways. Remember to clean them at least once a year in order to maintain your air conditioner functioning at its best.

To clean the coils of a portable air conditioner, you only need a soft-bristled brush and a gentle sweep. Cleaning your AC coils using a coil cleaner solution may also be beneficial.

Ensure that your portable AC coils are properly maintained to avoid costly repair fees in the future. Clean cooling system coils also contribute to a more secure and healthy living environment.