Posted
With summer ending in Wyandotte, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it this year, it could be clogged with dirt and yard refuse. This collection can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down sooner.
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 utility costs.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and address small issues before they turn into expensive problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete includes:
- Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Watching pressure and temperature
- Testing lines, refrigerant levels and connections
There’s still time to have a tune-up done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some upkeep you can do alone 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
Choose a temperate day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. That way, you can run the unit once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a few 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
Switch off the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Empty waste from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then run the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These components are also referred to as condenser coils and divert heat away from your unit.
You need to be careful with these fine coils. Bent or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten warped fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning should handle severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, dig 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 gentle 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
Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working like it should, give us a call at 734-363-8907.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the power to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters should be replaced every several months, depending on the kind you use.
Can’t remember when you last checked yours? Take it out and angle it toward the light. If light isn’t visible, replace it.
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 dirty, you can freshen it by pouring thinned bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can buy a new tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up 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 Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your regular service!