With summer winding down in Derby, now is a great time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it recently, it could be clogged with mud and yard waste. This accumulation can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down sooner.
We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up once a year. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy expenses.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and address small issues before they become costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do includes:
- Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant levels 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 on your own between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several 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 warm day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can check your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a couple of things:
- 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 juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out rubbish from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These parts are also called as condenser coils and move heat away from your equipment.
You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange misshapen fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning should fix severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, dig out leaves and other yard waste. Then wipe the inside of the system with a wet rag.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to wash 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 correctly, reach out to us a call at 203-772-8319.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the power to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters need to be changed every couple of months, depending on the kind you use.
Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Pull it out and tilt it toward 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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can freshen it by draining thinned bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up the drain tube and restore power.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Well Through Fall
Never Forget a Tune-Up Again
Annual air conditioner maintenance from Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also have handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine maintenance!