Is your air conditioner running longer than usual, or does the air coming from your vents just not feel as cold as it used to? Before assuming there’s a major problem with your AC, it may be worth taking a look at your outdoor condenser unit.
Over time, dirt, dust, leaves, and other debris can build up around the condenser coils. That buildup can make it harder for your air conditioner to release heat efficiently, forcing the system to work harder to cool your home. Cleaning the coils is a relatively simple maintenance project that can make a noticeable difference—and it doesn’t require a lot of time or money.
In the video below, we’ll walk you through how to clean AC condenser coils safely, including how to shut off power to the unit, remove debris, apply coil cleaner, and rinse the delicate fins without damaging them. You’ll also see just how much dirt can be hiding inside a condenser that may not look particularly dirty from the outside.
But does cleaning your AC coils actually make a difference?
We tested the temperature of the air coming from the vents before and after cleaning the condenser coils. Before cleaning, the air was coming out at about 61°F. After cleaning and letting the AC run again, it measured about 58°F—a 3-degree improvement.
Results will vary depending on your system and how dirty the coils are, but keeping condenser coils clean can help your AC operate more efficiently and may reduce how long it needs to run to cool your home.
Best of all, this project took about 30–40 minutes and required only a can of coil cleaner.
Watch the full video below to see the entire cleaning process, the before-and-after results, and how to safely clean your AC condenser coils yourself.