As with any device you have installed in your home or commercial building, maintenance will be required from time to time to keep everything in good working order. Air conditioning vents are no exception. As the gatekeeper for all of the dust, dirt and debris that float around inside, air conditioning vents get surprisingly dirty in a short amount of time. The result can mean a reduced quality of air and in the long term, damage to the air conditioning system itself.
So that you can keep your air conditioning system in perfect working order, here is further information on how to clean your air conditioning vents.
What Do I Need To Clean My Air Conditioning Vents?
- Bucket
- Dish soap
- Gloves
- Screwdriver
- Scrubbing brush
- Towel
- Vacuum with a hose
Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Vents
Every air conditioning system is slightly different, with this guide referring to ceiling, floor and wall vents. Be sure to turn off your air conditioning and any associated electrical outlets before attempting cleaning. Here are some simple steps to follow to clean your air conditioning system.
Step 1: Remove The Vents
Grab your screwdriver and carefully remove the screws which hold the vents in place. The type of screwdriver you will need (i.e flat or crosshead) will vary, so make sure you have the correct type before commencing cleaning.
Also take care to place the screws in an easy-to-find place, so that you can easily put the vent back together once you are finished.
Step 2: Vacuum The Ducts
Use a concentrated vacuum nozzle such as a hose or a crevice tool to remove dust and debris from the ducts. It’s essential not to go too deep into the ducts, so if you notice a large concentration of dust (i.e it’s been years since it was last cleaned out), then you’ll need to call in a professional engineer to look at this correctly and safely.
Step 3: Dust Your Vents
Use a duster to clean the vents, making sure to intricately clean in between each vent. For those with allergies, you may want to perform this step outside or wear a mask so that the particles do not cause a reaction or even possible harm.
Step 4: Wash Your Vents
Prepare a bowl of warm soapy water and mix in some dish soap. Place the vents into the bucket and leave for 15 minutes, taking care not to soak vents made from non-stainless steel for too long due to the risk of rust.
The purpose of soaking the vents in water is that it will help dislodge any grease or additional build-up that could not be removed by the duster.
Step 5: Dry Your Vents
Use a clean towel to dry the vents after they have been soaked in warm water. If you have time, leaving them to sit in a sunny spot may also remove excess moisture. Ideally, the vents should be fully dry before replacement, though if there is some residual moisture this will not harm your system.
Step 6: Replace The Vents
Pick up the same screwdriver you used to remove the air conditioning vents, and replace the vent, taking care to carefully affix each screw in the correct place and tight enough so that it cannot become loose. Turn the air conditioning system back on. Hopefully, everything should be up and running without issue, and you should also notice the difference in how clean your system is!
Air Conditioning UK
Need further advice on cleaning your air conditioning vents, or perhaps you’re interested in getting air conditioning installed or having your current system upgraded?
Here at Lee Jackson Air Conditioning, we’re expert air conditioning installers with over 15 years of experience. We offer our customers a fully customised solution whether you only want to make your living room in your house cooler or your whole hotel.
We install across Nottingham, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. If you have any questions on anything we’ve mentioned above, or if you’re ready to go ahead and book your air conditioning installation, we’re here to help!
We even offer our specialist air conditioning maintenance services across the UK too. We’ll come to your door, assess your air conditioning and take any actions necessary to ensure that it’s working effectively. Without a proper maintenance plan, your air-con could be costing you extra without you even knowing. Poorly maintained AC and HVAC units won’t be as effective and so whether you’re trying to cool or heat your home, you may be having to pay too much!
Give us a call on 0800 949 9070 or drop us an email and our friendly team will get back to you.
