With summer ending in Muldrow, 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 blocked with dust and yard refuse. This accumulation can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or require replacement more quickly.
We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally serviced once a year. Why? A clean unit 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 turn into expensive problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we perform consists of:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Testing lines, refrigerant levels and connections
You can still 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 maintenance you can do on your own between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a few 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
Select a mild day to clean 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 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 turn on the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These components are also called as condenser coils and divert heat away from your unit.
You need to be cautious with these fragile coils. Misshapen or crinkled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange misshapen fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from Air Service Co. should handle severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, dig out leaves and other yard litter. Then clean the inside of the system with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, showering 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 operating like it should, reach out to us a call at 918-212-8943.
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 power to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters must be replaced every several months, depending on the kind you use.
Unsure when you last put in a new one? 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 take a look at your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a supple 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 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 Air Service Co. can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine tune-up!