If you are in a hurry to just grab the best bleach product to clean your AC coils, we strongly recommend the ones below. They are the best available based on several criteria we considered.
- Clorox Ultra Germicidal Bleach (Check Price)
- Clorox Regular Bleach (Check Price)
- Clorox Cleaner Spray/ Bleach and Refill Combo (Check Price)
Can I Clean My AC Coils With Bleach?
To keep AC coils in perfect condition, most people take cleaning and maintenance of the appliance seriously.
Cleaning can be done through the help of professionals or otherwise. Whichever way, they are several ways you could clean the coils of your air conditioner to maintain that cool breeze.
Cleaning with bleach is one of the easiest way to clean your AC coils effectively. ‘Easy’, in the sense that it’ll only take a few procedure and less time to get the job done.
All you need is a gallon of clean water and a bleaching solution. Do not use acid based chemicals on your coils!
You obviously need to gat access to your AC coils before cleaning. The evaporator coil is located at the door handle behind the removable panel. Before accessing it, make sure you turn off your air condition at the thermostat. Just to be safe, you might also want to turn off your circuit breaker. Then, loose the screws or fasteners and remove the panel.
Ensure you place the panel and screw in a safe place where you can easily find them.
To clean your AC coils, add about ½ to 1 cup of bleach to a gallon of clean water. Pour the mixture into a portable spray-bottle.
Before cleaning, spray and carefully brush the coils to remove dust and dirt. Then spray all the areas with the bleach and water mixture.
To clean your AC drain with bleach, begin by opening the up the drain line ‘clean out’ or T on inside the unit and pour 50/50 warm water with a mixture of bleach solution through the line.
Ensure you use a minimum of 2 cups, once or twice every 12 month.
You can also use mild detergents and water to clean your AC coils. Just mix the regular detergents and warm water in a spray bottle (a garden sprayer can also do the trick).
Then spray the mixture onto the AC coils and allow it for a few minutes to soak in and loosen the dirt. After which, you should use a clean towel to wipe out the remaining water before replacing the coil.
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Best Bleach Products For Cleaning Air Conditioner Coils
Clorox Ultra Germicidal Bleach
The Clorox Ultra Germicidal Bleach contains concentrated germicidal bleach with concentration level of 8.25%- this is more than enough to clean your AC coils and remove any mold, while keeping it spotlessly clean for a very long time.
It also cleans, disinfects and deodorizes your air conditioning units while preventing mold and other related bacteria from growing.
It is EPA-registered that eliminates 39 organism, including multiple stains of Novirus, MRSA, and 3 stains of influenza. Germicidal Bleach kills clostridium deficits spores in less than 5 minutes on hard, nonporous materials such as air condition coils. See on Amazon
Clorox Regular Bleach
The Clorox Regular Bleach cleaner is especially effective in getting rid of molds, dirt and debris on your AC coils.
It also cleans, disinfect and deodorize surfaces including air conditioning units. It works with the power of Clorox bleach concentrated formula and can be use to eliminate mold and other related bacteria from your air conditioning system.
It is a registered disinfectant that kills up to 99.9 percent germs and bacteria harbouring in your AC unit. Some of its properties include its excelent antibacterial, germicidal and fungurial properties.
Also, the Clorox Regular Bleach comes in an easy-to-carry plastic bottle with easy to grip handle to prevent accidental spillage. See on Amazon
Clorox Cleaner Spray/ Bleach and Refill Combo
The Clorox Cleaner Spray/ Bleach and Refill Combo is great for hard, nonporous surfaces such as kitchen sinks, appliances, floors, showers, and so on.
It eliminate odors caused by bacteria, mold and mildew. This bleaching product is also most effective and safe for cleaning air conditioning coils.
Some of its features include its 32oz refillable spray bottle made with Smart Tube Technology. The Clorox Cleaner Spray/ Bleach and Refill Combo Bleach removes tough stains, grease, dirt, and grime on appliances (such as air conditioners) floors, kitchen sink, showers and more. It is also made of air-friendly chemicals that will not irritate you and your household. See on Amazon
Editor’s Recommendation
Clorox Ultra Germicidal Bleach
Clorox Ultra Germicidal Bleach receives enthusiastic reviews about its ability to deliver quality and desired results while requiring minimal user efforts.
Reports also indicate that the chemicals used in this bleaching product is more than effective enough in carrying out the task of eliminating dirt, grime, and debris on your cooling system.
The Clorox Ultra Germicidal Bleach cleans incredibly well, and helps to remove stains that has affected the air conditioning coils and the units.
A lot of people love to bleach their own AC coils, but the gallon (and even the half gallon) tends to be too heavy and difficult to carry. But with Clorox Ultra Germicidal Bleach, you never have to worry about lugging a heavy gallon of bleach down from your shelf because it is light and easy to use. See on Amazon
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Why Are Evaporator Coil So Important?
The primary function of an AC coil is to capture the heat from your home’s indoor air. While the evaporator coils carry out their functions, the condenser coils (also known as the Fan coils) release the trapped heat outside the air through the outdoor unit.
Both coils are typically encased by multiple aluminum fins that are made of copper. This helps improve the transfer of heat. They are placed in separate areas of the HVAC system; the condenser coils are located in the outdoor cabinet of the system while the evaporator coils are inside your home in the indoor air handling unit.
Evaporator coil plays an important function in the performance of the cooling system of your AC.
It provides the cooling that is necessary to emanate cool air that makes the indoor air of your home or office comfortable, even when the weather is very hot.
They (evaporator coils) also function as the dehumidification provided by your HVAC system. As they become cooler, water condenses into the coils, which is then removed from the air indoors.
The process is then followed by the water collected ion the drain pipe which safely flows out of the cooling system.
The performances and effectiveness of these two important functions are mostly reduced when the evaporator coils gets dirty.
The coils becomes typically damp from the dehumidification process, making the dust, debris, dirt and other particles in the air stick to the AC coils as air the air passes through them.
If the air filter becomes dirty, or if they’re absence of air filters, this to a large extent will increase the number of contaminants that will come in contact with the AC coils. Too many dirt and dust can accumulate on the coils when all these factors comes in play, which will affect your AC’s performance within a short period of time.
Problems that can occur when your AC’s evaporator and condenser coils get dirty include:
Ice buildup on the coil
- Reduced cooling capacity
- Reduced heat transfer
- Higher wear on the system, which could ultimately lead to damage and malfunctions.
- Increased energy consumption
- Increased temperature and operating pressures leading to system malfunction
- Rustiness of the coil and breakage of the iron and copper surrounding it.
Dirty coils operates with over 40% more energy compared to condition units with clean coils. It also reduced the cooling function by an approximated 30% or more.
This will surely reduced the performance and efficiency of your AC unit. Also your electricity monthly bills will keep on skyrocketing if you allow the the coils to wreak to havoc.
Therefore, you should check and clean your evaporator coils regularly to avoid this. Sometimes they (coils) are easily prone to collecting dirt, dust and debris, thus cleaning it monthly is necessary.
However, a typical system needs to be cleaned at least every 3 months during cooling system and at the very least every 12 month when observing scheduled HVAC maintenance.
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The Effect Of Molds On Your AC
Molds tends to grow faster inside air conditioners that remains unused for a long time. it’s very likely that mold grew in the AC unit during the winter and you didn’t notice it not until you turned on your air conditioner this summer.
Molds are visible on single surface, but also spread invisible from your AC system which can be unhealed into our body which poses a great treat to our health.
Ones mold spores are unhealed into your lungs, they can lead to several health issues, from small annoyances which includes cough, and sneezing, to major respiratory infection which includes pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma attacks,sore throat and more.
Quite a number of people will have an allergic reaction upon contact with molds. It is a very common allergen. So unless you’re among the fortunate few who is not allergic, expect more reaction. Common symptoms to allergic reaction to mold are rashes, hives, and breathing problems caused by swelling of the throat.
How Can You Tell If Your Air Conditioner Has Mold Inside It?
Most times people go long before finding out that their air conditioner has been occupied and spreading harmful mold spores. You air conditioner might be responsible for your sickness but you might not even realize it.
Quite often, mold in air conditioning system is discovered during the process of maintenance, especially when you’re replacing the filters or cleaning the dust from your air conditioner.
In these instance, the mold could be discovered by the person cleaning the AC or by the HVAC technician. Whatever the case may be, it needs to be dealt with instantly. Grab one of the bleach solutions above to do the trick and save your home.
A good way to uncover molds is through scent. If you perceive a stale or musty smell whenever you turn on your air conditioner, it usually depict the presence of molds inside.
If you’re experiencing any strange ailment, sickness or other symptoms it could be connected to molds in your air conditioning units.
If you suspect that your air conditioning unit is harbouring molds inside, you should begin by checking the visible parts of the units or otherwise easy access, including the filter and evaporator coils.
However, know that these part being clean does not mean your air conditioning unit is free from molds. Ventilation shafts, ducts, and inside areas may be hiding mold.
You can open these parts, including the coils in attempts to battle them before they spread. Use the recommended bleach above and the procedure explained above to end the mold before it may spread to other parts of your air conditioner.
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FAQs
How Often Should I Clean My AC Coils?
To keep your system functioning efficiently, clean your air conditioner coils at least once every 12 month.
Ensure you follow preventive measures carefully, to keep them clean during use. Failure to clean the coils for a long time may lead to the system’s malfunction or worsen still may even damage the coil permanently.
Dirt and debris are picked up by the coils which remains and accumulate in the system, causing troubles and may reduce the output performance of your AC if not dealt with accordingly.
Is It Necessary To Clean The Outdoor Unit Of AC
If your air conditioner is barely large enough to meet your desired cooling needs, then you may realise that it isn’t simply cooling your home anymore.
This is why we strongly recommend you clean your coils at least once in 12 months (both inside unit and outside unit).
You can get your coils cleaned using a bleaching solution as recommended above.
To clean the outside unit of an AC unit; begin by using a water hose spray to remove loose debris (leaves, paper, grass, etc) on the outside unit.
Spray the outside unit using the coil cleaner or the bleach solution. Wait 10-15 minutes to allow the cleaner foams and bonds with the debris on your coil. Then rinse the coil cleaner off using the hose.
Can I Clean AC Coils Myself?
Yes you can. To clean your AC coils, add about ½ to 1 cup of bleach to a gallon of clean water. Pour the mixture into a portable sprays bottle.
Before cleaning, spray and carefully brush the coils to remove dust and dirt. Then spray all the areas with the bleach and water mixture.
You can also use mild detergents and water to clean your AC coils. Just mix the regular detergents and warm water in a spray bottle (a garden sprayer can also do the trick).
Then spray the mixture onto the AC coils and allow it for a few minutes to soak in and loosen the dirt. After which, you should use a clean towel to wipe out the remaining water before replacing the coil.
Is It Safe To Pour Bleach In Air Conditioner?
Yes, you can use bleach to clean the coil or drain line of your air conditioner. Don’t worry if it might damage your AC, because it wouldn’t. However, before pouring the bleach in your air conditioner you must dilute it.
This will reduce the potency of the bleach, preventing it from damaging the interior of the drain pipe.
Just mix 2 tablespoons of bleach with ½ cup of hot water and pout it down the drain pipe moving from the evaporator coil to the condenser pan.
Leave the diluted bleach in the condenser pan to continue to eliminate bacteria and algae throughout the season.
Does Bleach Damage AC PVC Pipes?
No it doesn’t. Household bleach, or sodium hypo chloride, is used generally to whiten disinfect and remove stains. However, bleach tends to remedy algae growth on both the inside and outside of the PVC pipes.
Nonetheless, you can pour bleach down the drain of your PVC pipes without worrying about its safety. In fact, they (bleach) keep PVC clean and free from bacteria.
However, you should not use bleach for drain lines made of ABS or PVC plastic.
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Where Do I Pour The Bleach In My Air Conditioner?
To avoid damaging your air conditioner during this process, pour a cup of bleach in the access opening area in the drain line close to the AC unit.
This also will kill molds, algae, or mildew that has developed in the pipe. If the condensation line is already clogged, then you should use a shop vac or special pump so as to effectively remove the clog from the line.
Final Thoughts
Keeping the outdoor unit of our air conditioning system is as important as keeping the indoor units clean.
Getting it cleaned with bleach is proven to be the most effective and reliable way to get the job done.
Aside from getting rid of dirt, grime, molds and mildew, cleaning your AC coils with bleach also save you time and expenses required to hire a professionals should the coil’s condition becomes critical.
AC coils should be cleaned at least once a year with bleaching solutions to provide cool and healthy air. Who says you don’t deserves the best!
