Should I clean my exterior mini-split unit yearly?

[digdug18]

I just got a mini split for one of the rooms in my house, how often should I go about cleaning the outside unit? Its a mitsubishi unit, the manual doesn't cover cleaning, but I'm guessing I can use that light acid stuff that you spray onto the coils and it eats the dirt off then you spray it down with water.
Its a heated and cooling unit if that makes a difference.

 

[rickairmedic]

I would recomend cleaning both coils yearly myself.


Rick

 

[mpire]

You can buy an aerosol can of coil cleaner at home depot.

Is this stuff any good?

 

[rickairmedic]

The aerosol works ok on indoor evaporator coils . I prefer a foaming type cleaner on both coils actually as I dont like the Acid based cleaners since the acid eats more than just the dirt . I have used the Aerosols from Home Depot in a pinch ( after hours and out of foaming coil cleaner ) and they seemed to do a good job. I do rinse the coils when I am done regardless of what I use with clean water in a garden sprayer.


Rick

 

[mpire]

Where do we get the foaming coil cleaner?

 

[rickairmedic]

You most likely have a Marcone Appliance parts nearby . I know theres one in Tampa and one in Miami. Look them up online they should carry it .


Rick

 

[Rosco]

not wanting to hijack, but is there any prep or do you have to remove anything first?

 

[digdug18]

On mine the cover needs to be removed, if you installers left you with the installation manual you can find the information needed to remove the cover. I should add to make sure the unit's power is off at the breaker, and to cover the electronics of the unit before spraying water onto the unit, try to be careful when you are spraying the water. Wait until the unit is dry before turning the unit's power back on, etc.