With summer winding down in Newton, now is a good time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it this year, it could be clogged with dust and yard refuse. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out faster.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally serviced 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 discover and take care of slight issues before they develop into costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete consists of:
- Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Testing lines, refrigerant totals and connections
There’s still time to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace ready for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some upkeep you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a few 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 wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. That way, you can check your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a few 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
Switch off the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out rubbish from the system. 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 divert heat away from your equipment.
You need to be considerate of these delicate coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange bent fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from Brookwood Inc should take care of large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, fish out leaves and other yard litter. Then clean the inside of the unit with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, directing water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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 properly, give us a call at 641-316-9803.
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 need to be changed every few months, depending on the kind you use.
Unsure when you last replaced yours? Take it out 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 pliable plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can clean it by draining water-down bleach through the tube to clean 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 Brookwood Inc can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your regular service!