With summer ending in Litchfield Park, now is an ideal time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be full of mud and debris from your yard. This accumulation can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or make it wear out more quickly.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally maintained annually. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy costs.
Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and take care of slight issues before they turn into costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete includes:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Watching pressure and temperature
- Examining lines, refrigerant levels and connections
There’s still time to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some maintenance you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to get the grime off your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several parts on your indoor HVAC system.
Related: How Often Should You Expect to Get Air Conditioning Service Done?
How to Clean Your Outside AC Unit
Choose a temperate day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can test your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a handful of tools:
- 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
5 Steps to Clean the Outside Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Remove rubbish from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also known as condenser coils and move heat away from your equipment.
You need to be cautious with these fragile coils. Warped or crinkled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to adjust misshapen fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Cooler Tymes LLC should handle large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then clean the inside of the equipment with a wet rag.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, directing water from the inside out. Replace the fan once you’re done.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running correctly, reach out to us a call at 623-208-6444.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters must be changed every couple of months, depending on the type you use.
Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Pull it out and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, get a new one.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then take a look at your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a supple plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can sanitize it by draining water-down bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Wash 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
Never Forget a Tune-Up Again
Annual air conditioner maintenance from Cooler Tymes LLC can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also have convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your regular tune-up!