News & FAQ
How to Clean Your Condenser Coils and Clear Condensate Drain
7/18/2015

Your air conditioning unit requires regular maintenance for the system to function correctly. Learn two essential air conditioning maintenance tasks you should be doing to keep your a/c running at peak performance – cleaning your condenser coils and clearing your condensate drain.
Here’s what you need to do to keep your A/C working through the summer:
Condenser Coils
Outdoor condenser coils can also become very dirty if the outdoor environment is dusty or if there is foliage nearby. You can easily see the condenser coil and notice if dirt is collecting on its fins.
Before starting your condenser coil cleaning project, turn off your air conditioner at its source – the breaker panel. Either flip the breaker switch or pull out the fuse to disconnect power.
The best way to minimize dirt and debris near the condenser unit is by cleaning the area around the coil, removing any debris and trimming foliage back at least 24 inches provides adequate airflow around the condenser.
After removing all of the debris, you can use your simple garden hose (with some pressure) to wash off the remaining dirt and debris, such as from lawn mower clippings and dryer vents. When you are done washing your outdoor heat pump down, you can turn the power back on. However, keep the power off if you are going to clear your condensate lines (keep reading!)
No need to dry off the unit; it will dry naturally.
By cleaning your condenser coils, you won’t have to worry about your unit overheating during these hot summer months.
Consider shading your unit with a strategically placed tree to save even more on your air conditioning bill.
Coil Fins
While cleaning your outdoor heat pump, you may have noticed some bent coils. In addition to the dirt and debris around your unit, bent condenser coil fins reduce airflow, making your unit run harder and longer than it has to.
Luckily, there is a useful tool called a “fin comb” that you can use to straighten out the coils. Before you purchase one, measure how many fins there are per inch on your unit.
Condensate Drains
Clogged condensate lines will keep your air conditioner from effectively reducing humidity levels and can result in discolored walls and carpets.
If your indoor air handler has standing or overflowing water in its condensate drain pan, learn how to unclog your condensate line with a wet/dry vac or stiff wire/surgical tubing.
For more detailed instructions for clearing your condensate drain, read these instructions by American Home Shield.
HVAC Professionals
When your air conditioner needs more than regular maintenance, hire a professional service technician. It is highly recommended that you schedule professional HVAC maintenance at least once a year. This will ensure that all potential problems are caught early, which will save you a lot on repairs and replacements in the future.
Professional HVAC maintenance also ensures that your manufacturer’s warranty remains in effect. The expert technicians at Service Legends will find and fix problems in your air conditioning system. We go through an extensive air conditioning maintenance checklist.
Now that you have been made aware of these popular myths, you can adjust your home cooling methods to be more cost-effective and energy-efficient.
- Common A/C Myths
- How to Keep Your Attic Cool in the Summer
- Tips for Choosing the Right HVAC Technician
- 4 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Replacing
- How to Troubleshoot Air Conditioning Problems
- How to Get Your A/C Ready For Summer
Heating and Cooling Des Moines Since 1997
At Service Legends, we take pride in heating and cooling Des Moines and the surrounding areas. Our HVAC services include furnace and air conditioner installation, repairs, maintenance, and tune-ups. Our lineup of Indoor Air Quality solutions includes whole-home humidifiers, air purifiers, and air filtration systems. We can even help with HVAC financing.
Call 515-657-6634 to contact our Home Comfort Heroes today. We’re standing by 24/7.
515-657-6634Request Appointment Online Return- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- May 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- September 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- July 2018
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013