Hose the Unit Off: Over time, it is easy for leaves, grass clipping, and other debris to build up on the outside of the air conditioning unit. This may not seem like a big deal, but the truth is that it can lead to further maintenance issues over time. For this reason, it is a good idea to clean off the AC unit every so often when you begin to notice this buildup. This can be done by wiping it down or even using a hose to spray the debris off.