AC maintenance checklist

Trane, Daikin, and Amana

Your manual says not to clean this unit with water because of the risk of electric shock or damage. Don't hose or spray it. Leave coil cleaning to a licensed HVAC professional.

No water or chemical steps are shown for Trane, Daikin, or Amana.

Carrier

Turn the system Off at the thermostat. Then switch off its breaker (or the outdoor disconnect or service switch near the unit). When you're done and everything is dry, switch it back on. If a breaker trips again or keeps tripping, leave it off and call a licensed HVAC professional. Never open the breaker panel cover or the disconnect box.

Never use a pressure washer on your outdoor unit. It can flatten the fins and damage the coil.

If you use a coil cleaner, use one sold for home AC coils and follow its label exactly: mixing, how long it sits, rinsing, gloves and eye protection. Keep it off plants, pets and the electrical parts. Never mix cleaners.

Use a garden hose with a gentle spray or a pump sprayer, from outside the grille. Don't brush, comb or touch the fins. Don't spray into the electrical box or the fan motor.

Bosch, Goodman, Lennox, and Rheem

Your owner's manual recommends a qualified technician for this cleaning. You can choose to do it yourself, but it's your call.

Turn the system Off at the thermostat. Then switch off its breaker (or the outdoor disconnect or service switch near the unit). When you're done and everything is dry, switch it back on. If a breaker trips again or keeps tripping, leave it off and call a licensed HVAC professional. Never open the breaker panel cover or the disconnect box.

Never use a pressure washer on your outdoor unit. It can flatten the fins and damage the coil.

If you use a coil cleaner, use one sold for home AC coils and follow its label exactly: mixing, how long it sits, rinsing, gloves and eye protection. Keep it off plants, pets and the electrical parts. Never mix cleaners.

Use a garden hose with a gentle spray or a pump sprayer, from outside the grille. Don't brush, comb or touch the fins. Don't spray into the electrical box or the fan motor.

Other brands

Check your owner's manual first.

Turn the system Off at the thermostat. Then switch off its breaker (or the outdoor disconnect or service switch near the unit). When you're done and everything is dry, switch it back on. If a breaker trips again or keeps tripping, leave it off and call a licensed HVAC professional. Never open the breaker panel cover or the disconnect box.

Never use a pressure washer on your outdoor unit. It can flatten the fins and damage the coil.

If you use a coil cleaner, use one sold for home AC coils and follow its label exactly: mixing, how long it sits, rinsing, gloves and eye protection. Keep it off plants, pets and the electrical parts. Never mix cleaners.

Use a garden hose with a gentle spray or a pump sprayer, from outside the grille. Don't brush, comb or touch the fins. Don't spray into the electrical box or the fan motor.