With summer coming to an end in Payson, now is a great time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it recently, it could be full of dirt and yard waste. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or make it wear out more quickly.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up once a year. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy expenses.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and handle small issues before they turn into high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete consists of:
- 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 prepared for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some work you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of 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
Select a temperate day to wash 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 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 electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Remove 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 move heat away from your equipment.
You need to be careful with these fragile coils. Bent or crinkled fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten warped fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from North Mechanical Heating and Cooling should take care of extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, fish out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then mop the inside of the unit with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, showering water from the inside out. Reinstall 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 correctly, reach out to us a call at 928-263-8570.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut the electricity to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters need to be exchanged every few months, depending on the kind you use.
Not sure when you last put in a new one? Remove it and hold it up to 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 pliable plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can clean it by flowing thinned bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can buy a new tube.
Scrub 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 North Mechanical Heating and Cooling can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your annual maintenance!