Carrier Air Conditioner Maintenance
Keeping your Carrier air conditioner in top working condition is an important part of staying cool in hot temperatures. From removing dirt and leaves to cleaning out the coils, proper maintenance can extend the life of your air conditioner and keep it running smoothly. Below we have a list of Carrier air conditioner maintenance steps that will help keep indoor or outdoor units well maintained. If you are having trouble with your carrier air conditioner, check out our troubleshooting guide to help resolve some issues.
Cleaning Checklist
It’s important to note that you should never use a power washer to clean and maintain your air conditioner unit. Using a power washer could damage or bend the coils, which will decrease the unit's function.
- Clear debris on outside units - For any outdoor air conditioner units, clear out any debris like leaves or flowers that have built up on the sides or on top of the unit. Also cut back any foliage that might grow too close to the unit. Keeping the vents and unit clear of debris will help it function better.
- Vacuum the condenser coils - On both indoor and outdoor air conditioner units, the condenser coils can have a lot of dust and dirt build-up. Make sure to gently vacuum the coils to prevent any build-up from clogging the airflow.
- Cleaning the coils - Another option on coil cleaning is to use a garden hose and coil cleaning chemicals. When doing a thorough cleaning, make sure to disconnect the unit from power before starting.
- Cleaning the evaporator coils - Evaporator coils in indoor air units need to have unrestricted airflow. If you find that your evaporator coils need to be cleaned, contact a local authorized service agent to assist with this. The evaporator coils are difficult to access, so it’s not recommended to clean them yourself.
Air Filter Replacement
Changing out the air filter on a regular basis is an important part of preventative maintenance. It prevents build-up and allows better airflow when you change the filter. Depending on your specific model, air filters should be changed anywhere from once every 2-3 months to once a year.
- Step 1. Turn off the air - Turn the power off on the thermostat, break box or power shutoff switch. This will help prevent injury while working on your unit.
- Step 2. Open the filter compartment - Most air conditioners have the air filter in the blower cabinet. Open up the cabinet to see where the old filter is.
- Step 3. Remove the filter - Remove the filter from the compartment, making sure you note the position of the filter. If you have a reusable filter, clean the filter with a vacuum attachment. If you have disposable filters, discard the old one and insert a new filter.
- Step 4. Turn the unit back on - Replace the compartment cover and turn your unit back on to resume cooling.
For more information on Carrier appliances, check out our Carrier guides and diagrams to provide you with the most information.