With summer winding down in Justin, now is an ideal time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it this year, it could be clogged with dirt and yard refuse. This buildup can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or require replacement more quickly.
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 discover and address small issues before they develop into expensive problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do consists of:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant levels and connections
It’s not too late to have service 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 by yourself between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several 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
Select a temperate day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can test your system once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a handful 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 electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Empty debris from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then run the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also called as condenser coils and move heat away from your system.
You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Misshapen or crinkled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange bent fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Pepper AC & Htg Inc should fix severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then clean the inside of the system with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, directing water from the inside out. Replace 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 working correctly, reach out to us a call at 940-202-1184.
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 must be replaced every several months, depending on the model you use.
Not sure when you last put in a new one? Take it out and tilt it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, get a new one.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then inspect your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a supple plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can sanitize it by pouring water-down bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect 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 Pepper AC & Htg Inc can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also have practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine maintenance!