How long to wait after cleaning the air conditioner?
If you have installed an air conditioner at your home or business place, then you must have understood its importance. Apart from making the indoor environment comfortable and breezy, it helps in relaxing the mind and fighting against sweating and itching.
Like any other appliance, AC units require regular maintenance and cleaning in order to work adequately and efficiently. On top of this, cleaning is one of the essential tasks when it comes to keeping the air conditioner up to mark.
Frequent dusting and cleaning can help prevent a build-up of dirt, dust, and other debris that can adversely affect the performance of your air conditioner.
Before start using your air conditioner, you should clean it well. Meanwhile, nowadays, a common question has come into the limelight how long to wait after cleaning the air conditioner. Can we start it immediately, or how long does it take to dry completely?
To clear your doubts, we have come up with this informative blog. All of your question’s answers will be mentioned below. Let’s quickly take a look:
When to use the air conditioner after cleaning?
Waiting for at least 24 hours is recommended after cleaning an air conditioner. Your appliance will dry out completely during this period. In the meantime, there are more steps you can take to speed up the drying process.
For example, you can place your unit in an airy area with low humidity conditions or use a blower or dryer to increase airflow around the air conditioner. Not using AC for the whole day is a common practice after cleaning that you need to know.
However, based on the model and size of a specific model, and depending on the circumstances, the duration of letting ac for drying may vary.
Let us understand with an example, suppose the cleaning is done in high humidity conditions, or if the air filter were deeply restricted with debris or dirt, the drying time would automatically increase.
Below are a few aspects that should be taken into account when allowing your ac unit dry after cleaning it:
Initially, make sure that all of the moisture and water is expelled from the air conditioner unit
If moisture or water droplets remain in the air conditioner due to cleaning, it may cause corrosion or other physical damage. After draining the water, leave your unit for a few more hours to dry completely.
Afterward, read the manufacturer’s guidelines.
It is recommended to read the instructions on the pack of the unit to ensure that there is a specific period for it to dry before use. With specific requirements, some ACs require more than 24 hours to dry adequately. If your air conditioner doesn’t have a certain need, heed caution and wait a while before turning it on again.
Lastly, check that the ground is completely dry.
Avoid getting water around when cleaning is done. Make sure the ground is dry to avoid falling and slipping.
Differing drying times for different components cleaning:
In general, the cleaning process typically varies from home to home. And every homeowner often only considers cleaning the AC’s outside casement and air filters every few weeks. Each season, they put extreme focus on rigorous deep cleaning of the inside of the unit as well as all other parts. How long to wait after cleaning depends on the parts you clean.
For those who have ACs with reusable filters, if cleaned with lukewarm water to remove debris and dust that has accumulated over time, it may take more than 10 hours to dry thoroughly. You can’t use your air conditioner by turning it back on.
If you’re going with a more thorough cleaning process than before, in which you use water to clean components, especially a damp cloth to wipe down the condenser coils or AC fan blades, it may take more than 6 hours to dry thoroughly.
Because of the different times taken by components to dry, HVAC experts and professionals recommend that you leave the air conditioner on for at least 24 hours after cleaning.
Wait longer if you’re in doubt (more than 24 hours):
Still not sure how long to wait after cleaning! It is suggested to keep an eye on caution and wait more than 24 hours rather than taking risks that may cause damage to the unit.
Factors that influence Drying Time after cleaning:
For those who usually do a deep clean for their air conditioner, this can include a number of steps, from removing the air filter to cleaning the condenser coils to cleaning the evaporator coils. The steps may vary depending on the type of air conditioner you have. Therefore, it is important to read the manufacturer’s directions carefully before performing the cleaning process.
Allow the air conditioner to dry after cleaning and ensure no moisture or excess water remains in the unit before using it again. If left inside, it can cause damage and slow down the unit’s performance. The amount of time it takes for an AC to dry after cleaning can vary based on a variety of factors, including:
- The type of the air conditioner
- The size of the air conditioner
- The humidity level in the environment
- The amount of airflow around the air conditioner
When guessing how long to wait after cleaning the air conditioner, remember the aforementioned factors.
Steps to follow in cleaning an air conditioner
Despite the kind of ac you own or the size of your air conditioner, some factors in the unit should come into contact with water or be rinsed.
Following are a few steps that should be followed to clean the few components:
- First of all, take off the air filters and wash them with clean water.
- You can use a mild detergent, distilled white vinegar solution, or vacuum if there is any stubborn dirt or grime over it.
- Use a hose with a spray nozzle or bottle to wash the condenser coil. You can also use a coil cleaning solution.
- For the indoor unit, you can wipe it down with soapy water using a sponge.
The importance of cleaning air conditioners:
Regular cleaning of these parts allows the air conditioner to work more efficiently. Cleaning also ends up with greater efficiency and better airflow, as the interior and exterior parts will no longer be dusted with particles and dirt.
The air conditioner cleaning process not only involves wiping down the outside unit but also a good cleaning of the inside for clean air. A cleaner air conditioner won’t spread mold or smell bad throughout your home.
Bottom line:
To enhance the functioning of your unit, you can follow other maintenance practices, which include cleaning out any leaves and debris from inside the unit. This will ensure that there is no obstruction behind, thus allowing better airflow. You can also clean your unit’s drain line to ensure all condensates can adequately drain. Don’t forget to check the electrical connections for wiring damage. That’s it for this post!
