With summer coming to an end in Auburn, now is a good time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it recently, it could be blocked with dirt and debris from your yard. This buildup can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down faster.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up every year. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy expenses.
Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and take care of slight issues before they become costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete includes:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Testing 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 work 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 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
Choose a warm 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 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
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
Remove waste from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then run the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also known as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your system.
You need to be cautious with these fine 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 Forster Heating should take care of extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, dig 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 slight pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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 working properly, give us a call at 530-885-8081.
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 juice to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters need to be changed every several months, depending on the kind you use.
Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Take it out and hold it up to the light. If there’s no light 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 moldy, you can clean it by pouring thinned bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can buy a new tube.
Wash 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 Forster Heating can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also have practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your annual maintenance!