How to Clean a Gas Furnace's Condenser Coils

Gas furnaces are life-saving devices in the winter because they protect you from hypothermia and other cold-related ailments. Furnaces last up to 20 years if they are properly maintained, but heating and cooling systems need cleaning as a part of a regular maintenance schedule. Furnaces and air conditioners are connected into one system, and if the condenser coils aren't cleaned regularly, dust and dirt buildup will cause the system to run much less efficiently. Cleaning the condenser coils is not challenging, but it does require care to prevent injuries and accidents.

Screwdriver
No-rinse foaming coil cleaner
Shop vacuum
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the air conditioner and furnace and cut the power to ensure the system doesn't come on during the cleaning process. This helps to prevent accidents.
- 2
  Remove the outer case from the unit outside the house. The coils inside the building that are connected to the furnace itself are the evaporator coils. The condenser coils are located outdoors in the air conditioner. The case should just pull off.
- 3
  Unscrew the grill at the top of the system to gain better access to the condenser coils. You might need a screwdriver, depending on the system model.
- 4
  Spray a no-rinse foaming coil cleaner to both sides of the condenser coils. Allow the cleaner to sit for several minutes.
- 5
  Suck up any remaining cleaner off the coils with a shop vacuum. The vacuum also removes dirt and dust from the coils.
- 6
  Rinse the coils with a garden hose. Aim the hose outward so the water falls out of the system through the grills on the side. Secure the top grill again and push the casing back down over the system.

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