With summer ending in Macon, now is an ideal time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it recently, it could be full of dust and debris from your yard. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down sooner.
We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally maintained annually. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy costs.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and take care of minor issues before they become high-priced 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
- Examining lines, refrigerant levels and connections
It’s not too late to 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 upkeep you can do alone between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to wash 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
Pick a warm day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can run 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
Stop the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Remove waste from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also known as condenser coils and divert heat away from your system.
You need to be considerate of these delicate coils. Warped or crinkled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange misshapen fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from Air Temperature Control should fix extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard litter. Then wipe the inside of the unit with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, showering water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re finished.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working correctly, contact us a call at 478-202-3170.
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 power to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters must be changed every few months, depending on the kind you use.
Can’t remember when you last checked yours? Take it out and tilt it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, replace it.
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 moldy, you can freshen it by flowing thinned bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect 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 Air Temperature Control can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your regular maintenance!