With summer coming to an end in West Jefferson, now is an ideal time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it this year, it could be blocked with dust and yard refuse. This collection can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or require replacement more quickly.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally maintained every year. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric bills.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover 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 do includes:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Examining lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
You can still have a tune-up done this fall—and we can get your furnace ready 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 wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several components on your indoor HVAC system.
Related: How Often Should You Expect to Get Air Conditioning Service Done?
How to Clean Your Outside AC Unit
Select a warm day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. That way, you can test your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a handful 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
5 Steps to Clean the Outside Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop 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 run the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These components are also known as condenser coils and move heat away from your equipment.
You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Warped or crinkled fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange bent fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. should fix extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After removing the fan, pull out leaves and other yard litter. Then wipe the inside of the equipment with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re completed.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running correctly, contact us a call at 614-879-9091.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Turn off the electricity to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters must be replaced every few months, depending on the type you use.
Unsure when you last checked yours? Pull it out and hold it up to the light. If there’s no light visible, buy a new one.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then examine your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a flexible plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can sanitize it by draining thinned bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Wash the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect the drain tube and switch 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 West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your routine maintenance!