How much does it cost to clean an outdoor AC unit?

Short answer

Cleaning the outdoor AC unit yourself costs $0 to $30, and most of that is optional: a can of coil cleaner and a fin comb. A professional cleaning is usually part of a spring tune-up at $75 to $200, rather than a separate service. Either way the job takes 45 to 90 minutes, and the garden hose does most of the work.

Cost breakdown

The DIY range starts at zero because a hose and a screwdriver are all the job strictly needs. Coil cleaner, a foaming spray for grime the hose won't lift, and a fin comb for straightening bent fins make up the top of the range, and both last several seasons.

What drives the cost

• Whether you already pay for a tune-up. If a technician is coming in spring anyway, the cleaning is in the price and there's nothing to add.
• How dirty the unit is. A unit under a cottonwood or next to a dryer vent may need coil cleaner where a lightly used one needs only the hose.
• Bent fins. A unit that's been hit by a mower or a hailstorm needs the fin comb, and a badly flattened coil may need a technician to straighten it.
• What the cleaning reveals. A unit that still doesn't cool after the fins are clean has a refrigerant or compressor problem, which is a repair quote, not a cleaning cost.
• Access. A unit boxed in by fencing or shrubs takes longer, for you or a technician, and the shrubs should be cut back as part of the job.

DIY vs. pro

This is a job most people can do, and it costs almost nothing. Knowing how often to clean your outdoor AC unit, which is once a year before cooling season, and doing it with the power off and the hose at normal pressure is the whole of it. The fins are the only thing to be careful with, since they bend under a careless hand or a pressure washer.

Let the pro do it when you're paying for the spring tune-up anyway, since it's included, or when the unit isn't cooling and you need someone with gauges to find out why. A separate professional cleaning without the tune-up is rarely worth booking.

FAQ

How much does it cost to have an AC unit cleaned?

$75 to $200 as part of a spring tune-up, where it's included. Doing it yourself costs $0 to $30.

Can I clean my outdoor AC unit myself?

Yes, with the power off, a garden hose and a soft brush. It takes 45 to 90 minutes, and the only skill is being gentle with the fins.

Is coil cleaner necessary?

Not for a lightly dirty unit, which the hose handles. It helps on grime the water won't lift, and a can lasts several seasons.

Does cleaning the AC unit save money?

Yes. Clean fins shed heat easily, so the compressor runs less for the same cooling, and a compressor that runs cool lasts longer.