How long your air conditioner needs to dry after you have finished cleaning it depends on which components you rinsed, but it could be up to 24 hours.
For all of the components in your air conditioner (AC) to function properly and cool down your space, they need to be well-maintained and serviced regularly.
This includes components like the unit’s filters and coils which need to be rinsed and then have to dry for up to 24 hours before you can use the air conditioner again.
The importance of regularly servicing and maintaining your air conditioner
Your air conditioner can bring much-needed relief on those particularly hot and humid days, but in order for all of the components in your air conditioner to work properly when you need them to, the unit needs to be well-maintained and serviced or cleaned regularly.
This unit will be subject to some wear and tear over time, which is why it is important that you keep the components as clean as possible.
You must also ensure that they are in a good working condition, so that you can avoid any big issues and replacing parts for as long as possible.
How long should you let an air conditioner dry after cleaning?
The air conditioner cleaning process generally differs from one household to the next, but most homeowners only clean the air filters and outside casement of their air conditioners every few weeks.
Then they only do a more intensive deep cleaning of all the components and the inside of the unit about once every season.
How long it takes for your air conditioner to dry once you have finished cleaning it depends on which components you have cleaned and a few other factors.
If your air conditioner has reusable filters that you can wash, these filters can be rinsed with lukewarm water to get rid of any dust or debris that may have accumulated over time, but they need to dry completely before you can turn your air conditioner back on and use it. It may take up to 10 hours for these filters to dry thoroughly.
During a more intensive deep cleaning process, you can also use water to clean elements such as the condenser coils or to wipe down the fan blades of the AC. The fan blades should dry quite quickly, but condenser coils may take up to six hours to dry.
This is why many experts suggest that you leave your air conditioner to dry for about 24 hours after a cleaning, so that you can be sure that all of the unit’s components have dried completely, before turning it back on again.
Although this cleaning process may seem inconvenient, especially since you also have to wait for all of the components to dry before you can use your air conditioner again, cleaning and other maintenance activities are vital for the effectiveness and efficiency of your air conditioner.
How to clean your air conditioner
Regardless of the type of air conditioner that you have or the size of your unit, there are only some components in the air conditioner that should be rinsed or that should come into contact with water.
Cleaning these components include the following steps:
- Remove the air filters and rinse them with lukewarm water
- You can also use a vacuum, a mild detergent, or a distilled white vinegar solution to remove any stubborn grime and dirt
- Rinse the condenser coils with a spray bottle or hose with a spray nozzle and a coil cleaning solution
- Wipe down the indoor unit using a sponge and some soapy water
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The benefits of cleaning your air conditioner regularly
Regularly cleaning these components of your air conditioner allows the unit to operate more effectively, as it will have better airflow and more efficiency, as the components will not be muddied with dirt or other particles.
However, a cleaner air conditioner also means that you have cleaner air inside your space and that your air conditioner will not start smelling bad or distribute mildew or mould throughout the air in your home.
Other regular maintenance activities to keep your air conditioner in a good condition
There are also other maintenance activities that can help you boost the functioning of your air conditioner. This includes clearing any debris and foliage from your external unit if you have one and removing any furniture or curtains that may be blocking the airflow to your indoor unit.
You could also flush the drain line of your air conditioner to make sure that all of the condensate can drain properly and check the refrigerant levels and all of the electrical connections on the inside of your unit.