With summer coming to an end in Litchfield Park, now is a good time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t cleaned it this year, it could be blocked with mud and debris from your yard. This collection can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down sooner.

We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up every year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy costs.

Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and handle slight issues before they turn into expensive problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we complete consists of:

  • Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Confirming pressure and temperature
  • Examining lines, refrigerant levels and connections

There’s still time to have a tune-up done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.

There’s also some maintenance you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of pieces on your indoor HVAC system.

Related: How Often Should You Expect to Get Air Conditioning Service Done?

Cleaning Out the Outside AC Unit

Select a temperate day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can check your system once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a couple of items:

  • Wet-dry vacuum and hose with a soft brush attachment
  • Screwdriver
  • Butter knife
  • Damp rag
  • Small, round paintbrush
  • Replacement furnace filter (if necessary)

Related: How AC Repair and Maintenance Can Actually Save You Money

Five Steps to Clean the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Cut the power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

Take out debris from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then use the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also called condenser coils and move heat away from your equipment.

You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Misshapen or crushed fins can impact efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to straighten bent fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from Cooler Tymes LLC should handle extensive damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After extracting the fan, fish out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then wipe the inside of the system with a wet cloth.

The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, showering water from the inside out. Replace the fan once you’re completed.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running correctly, contact us a call at 623-208-6444.

Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later

After, Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Turn off the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters should be replaced every several months, depending on the model you use.

Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Remove it and angle it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, replace it.

3. Clean the Inside

Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.

Then inspect your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a supple plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can sanitize it by pouring diluted bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can buy a new tube.

Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect the drain tube and turn the power back on.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Well Through Fall

Don’t Forget About Maintenance Again

Annual air conditioner maintenance from Cooler Tymes LLC can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine maintenance!