The outside unit of your air conditioner or heat pump needs a brief maintenance, preferably once or twice a year before the heating or cooling season.
The Technique
- Turn off power at the breaker (some units will have an additional breaker outside the house)
- Remove the screws or bolts holding the top grill in place. Usually 4 screws.
- Pull the grate up and out. The fan might be attached.
- Remove leaves and debris with a shop vac.
- Spray the coils from the inside out with a basic all-purpose cleaning spray. Wait a couple minutes.
- Use a hose and nozzle to spray the cleaning solution off, from the INSIDE.
- Reassemble.