How to Get Your Home Cooling Units Ready for Summer

Summer is just around the corner, and most of us are cleaning off the outdoor furniture, planting our gardens, and generally getting ready for warmer temps. There’s a lot to love about summer, but many of us find the extreme heat and humidity a bit…well, extreme…and we rely on our cooling units—whether fans or air conditioners—to keep us comfortable when the temperatures rise.

Like everything else in the home, both fans and air conditioners require regular attention to run at peak efficiency. These quick cleaning and maintenance tips can help you extend the life of your cooling unit, which can save you both time and money in the long run.

Window air conditioners

Unplug the unit so you can clean it safely, then give the front cover a thorough cleaning.

Taking care of the filter is one of the easiest ways to keep your AC unit running well. Dust, mold, and mildew can collect in the filter, clogging the unit and slowing down the cool air flow.  If you have a disposable filter, change it regularly.  If it’s a reusable filter, clean it when you put the unit in your window.  For most AC models with reusable filters, you simply pop off the front cover, remove the filter, wipe it with a damp cloth or rinse it in warm, soapy water, let it dry, and reinsert the filter.

Straighten any bent fins on the unit, and vacuum the inside—the brush attachment for the vacuum cleaner works well for this task.

Outside air conditioners

Turn the the unit’s power off at the electrical disconnect (this is usually a metal box near the unit).

Spray off any dirt, grass, leaves, and other debris with a hose.

Use coil cleaner to give the unit’s coils a thorough cleaning.

Ceiling fans

Ceiling fan blades are the prime collection site for all the dust and debris that floats through the air in your house, so they probably need a good cleaning (unless you’ve been diligent about dusting them all winter).  A dry mop or duster works best for cleaning the blades. Of course, you can always remove the blades and give them a deep cleaning in warm soapy water.

“Box” / window or oscillating fans

These units are also prone to collecting dust and debris, and they're a bit harder to clean than ceiling fans. You usually have to remove the grille first, then clean that with spray cleaner or soak it in warm, soapy water. If you can remove the blades, do so and give them a thorough cleaning. If you cannot remove the blades, simply use spray cleaner to do the job, or use the brush attachment from your vacuum cleaner to get into those hard-to-reach areas.

Maybe your window cooling units aren’t enough and you’re considering an upgrade—even a full-scale central AC system. Some home remodeling or improvement projects can impact your homeowners’ insurance premiums, so check your policy or contact your agent before you get started.

Do you use fans or AC units to keep cool all summer? Are there any cleaning or maintenance tips you’d add to our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!