With summer coming to an end in Heflin, now is a great time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it recently, it could be full of dust and debris from your yard. This collection can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or require replacement more quickly.
We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up once a year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy expenses.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and take care of small issues before they turn into costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete involves:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
It’s not too late to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.
There’s also some work you can do alone between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to get the grime off 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
Pick a mild day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can run the unit once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a couple of tools:
- 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
Five Steps to Clean the Outside Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Remove 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 condenser coils and move heat away from your equipment.
You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Warped or crinkled fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten misshapen fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance part store. A pro from Bain Heating & Air Conditioning should take care of severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, fish out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then clean the inside of the equipment with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, directing 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, give us a call at 256-270-1196.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the electricity to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters need to be replaced every couple of months, depending on the kind you use.
Unsure when you last put in a new one? Remove it and tilt it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, 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 supple plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can freshen it by flowing watered-down bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can replace the 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 Bain Heating & Air Conditioning can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your regular maintenance!
