With summer ending in Mobile, now is an ideal time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it recently, it could be blocked with dust and yard waste. This accumulation can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out sooner.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally serviced annually. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy costs.
Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and take care of minor issues before they become expensive problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete involves:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Watching pressure and temperature
- Testing lines, refrigerant levels and connections
It’s not too late to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some work 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 several 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 scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can run 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 power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Empty debris from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These components are also referred to as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your unit.
You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Bent or crumpled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten bent fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc should fix extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After removing the fan, fish out leaves and other yard litter. Then clean the inside of the system with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you should use is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, directing water from the inside out. Replace the fan once you’re completed.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running like it should, give us a call at 251-471-2674.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters should be changed every couple of months, depending on the kind you use.
Unsure when you last checked yours? Take it out and angle 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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can freshen it by flowing water-down bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect 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 Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your routine tune-up!