With summer ending in Troy, now is a good time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be blocked with dirt and yard refuse. This collection can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down faster.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally serviced annually. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility costs.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and take care of minor issues before they develop into expensive problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do involves:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Watching pressure and temperature
- Testing lines, refrigerant amounts 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.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some upkeep you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to get the grime off 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?
How to Clean Your Outside AC Unit
Pick a temperate day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can test the unit once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a handful of things:
- 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
Cut the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out rubbish from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These parts are also called as condenser coils and move heat away from your unit.
You need to be careful with these fine coils. Misshapen or crinkled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange warped fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Edington Heating & Cooling Inc should fix large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop the inside of the unit 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, directing water from the inside out. Reinstall 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 working like it should, contact us a call at 937-558-9478.
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 should be replaced every few months, depending on the model you use.
Not sure when you last replaced yours? Remove it and tilt it toward the light. If light isn’t visible, buy 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 freshen it by draining water-down bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up the drain tube and restore power.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Well Through Fall
Never Forget a Tune-Up Again
Annual air conditioner maintenance from Edington Heating & Cooling Inc can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your annual maintenance!