The debris that builds up in your air conditioner over time is the most frequent cause of this problem. This is particularly true if you don’t give your machine routine maintenance. By clogging pipes, filters, and drains, the dirt infiltrates your air conditioning system and leads to malfunctions.
This is the best time to call an AC specialist. Early symptom detection is preferable to waiting till your unit breaks and thus having to pay more for a new unit rather than less for repair. A chemical overhaul or air conditioner steam cleaning is typically the best course of action for a broken air conditioner. Below we have compared the chemical-based cleaning and steam cleaning of an air conditioner assisting you in making an informed choice.
How Can You Tell If You Need a Chemical Cleaning?
After removing your air conditioner from its wall mount, a technician will use a chemical-based cleaner to clean the fan evaporator coil, air filters, and other crucial parts of the system. The drainage system of the air conditioner receives the same treatment if there are issues with water leaks. After that, the fan bearings are oiled to lessen the noise. However, how can you tell whether it’s time for a chemical cleaning of your air conditioner? These are a few typical symptoms:
- It takes longer than normal for the air conditioner to cool the space.
- When the device is turned on, it makes a lot of noise and the internal parts smell bad.
What Is Aircon Steam Cleaning?
High-pressure steam is used in steam cleaning to remove all impurities and grime from the air conditioner. High-temperature water is pushed through a nozzle to produce a strong stream of steam. The air conditioner is sanitized and filth is thoroughly blasted away by directing this steam onto the surfaces that need to be cleaned. The advantages of aircon steam cleaning are:
- Eco-Friendly: Since no chemicals are used, steam cleaning is healthy for the environment and your health because it typically only uses water to clean the air conditioner.
- Effective in Eliminating Allergens: The majority of allergies and pathogens can be eliminated by steam cleaning’s high heat, which will improve the quality of the air in your house.
- After cleaning, there is no residue: There won’t be any residue left over because no chemicals are utilized, guaranteeing that nothing dangerous is in the air you breathe.
Chemical Cleaners’ Hidden Costs:
The issue is that two-way foaming chemical cleansers, which are frequently used to clean HVAC cooling coils, have the potential to leak into the aquifer and jeopardize the building’s water supply.
Many of these cleaners have warning labels concerning the toxicity of their ingredients, which should be sufficient justification for not using them on a building’s most important system. Chemical cleaners, however, may potentially weaken the cooling coils’ structural integrity. Harsh chemicals can sometimes degrade copper and aluminium, necessitating the replacement of entire HVAC units or just certain parts.
Furthermore, cleaning the high-efficiency cooling coils in HVAC equipment is not always possible with traditional cleaning supplies. Even while systems might seem clean on the outside, these materials can cause clogs and encourage the growth of mould and germs by pushing dust and debris deeper into the unit.
This may result in high operating expenses, issues with comfort control, and unhygienic circumstances that are detrimental to the quality of the air. As a result, building occupants may have symptoms such as watery eyes, asthma-like diseases, coughing, wheezing, and allergy-like symptoms. Poor indoor air quality can occasionally even impair a person’s capacity to carry out particular mental tasks. The likelihood that building occupants would have these symptoms increases with poorer air quality, which poses a risk to the organization and/or property owner.
An Improved Method of Cleaning: Steam Wash
Facilities managers may want to think about using a green steam clean method to safely and efficiently clean HVAC units. One technique thoroughly cleans cooling coils using steam heated to 350°F at 350 pressure, which is far safer and more efficient than conventional chemical treatment.
Although pressure washing systems, which normally run at about 2,000 psi, have been attempted to replicate this process, they can bend the cooling coil fins and adversely affect airflow. To clean the system without sacrificing its integrity, steam is forced through the coils by a more moderate pressure, which is essential to the steam cleaning procedure.
For deep cleaning that eliminates dust and debris and instantly kills mould and germs, steam cleaning can reach 8 to 12 inches into the coils, but chemical cleaners may only reach ½ inch. Spore counts will typically decrease by 99% (and perhaps 100%) in units cleaned using this method. As a result, building occupants experience more comfort, better indoor air quality, and higher ventilation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How Frequently Should An AC Be Steam Cleaned?
It’s best to steam clean your air conditioner every six to twelve months to keep it maintained. However, more frequent cleaning could be required if you live in a dusty or humid area or use your air conditioner extensively. Frequent maintenance keeps your air conditioner in top condition all year long by preventing dirt accumulation and guaranteeing steady cooling.
2. Does Steam Cleaning Increase The Effectiveness Of Cooling?
Yes, steam cleaning enhances airflow and heat exchange by clearing the coils and filters of dirt and debris. As a result, less energy is used and cooling is more effective. Clean parts function better, enabling your air conditioner to attain the ideal temperature more quickly and preserving a cosy interior atmosphere.
