Clean up to stay cool this summer
This is an obscure way to look at cleaning your house (or parts of it at least), but you may just benefit from a cooler home by having a clean up. Saving power may be a happy side effect of splashing around some soapy water too.
How does cleaning help to cool?
Fly screens
Hard to believe but read on. Cleaning the fly screens on your windows and doors clears away the dust which stops the breeze getting through. This, in turn, means you don't need to use fans or air conditioning as much (saving power) as the wind can naturally cool your home.
Ceiling fan's
The first thing to do when the weather starts to warm up is to make sure the ceiling fan gets switched back from the winter setting, which pushes the heat from the ceiling down along the walls to circulate it, to the summer setting which creates a cooling downdraft. The second is to clean the fan blades with warm soapy water. Cleaning the blades means you're not distributing dust when you turn the fan on, as well as making it easier for the fan to cut through the air (saving power).
Air conditioning
This is the one home cooling appliance which really benefits from a thorough clean. Ideally, the air con should be serviced once a year and cleaned twice, at the beginning and the end of summer.
A few of the advantages to regularly cleaning your air conditioner:
- cleaning stops the spread of harmful bacteria, fungi and mould
- helps the air conditioner run at it's most efficient
- allows the air conditioner to collect the dust and odours from outside before they reach your home
- provides clean air for those sensitive to pollen, dust and airborne allergens
- extends the life of your air conditioner
- allows the air conditioning to work better providing your home with cool air when you need it most
Cleaning your air conditioner
Please note - Ensure the air conditioner is turned off at the switchboard before you start cleaning.
- Clean or replace the filters. Each air conditioner differs in the filter maintenance. Some will need to be replaced with new, others are cleanable, consult the manual for the correct procedure for your air con.
- Gently clean the fan.
- Remove and wash the grill on both the indoor and outdoor unit.
- Clear debris from around the outdoor unit. Bushes, grass and leaf build-up can prevent the A/C from easily drawing fresh air.
For more details on cleaning your air conditioner read - Get your air conditioner ready for summer
Some air conditioners require a professional deep clean to clear away built-up mould and bacteria within the not easily accessible air conditioner parts. Speak to your air conditioner specialist about professional cleaning.
