With summer winding down in Rockford, now is an ideal time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it recently, it could be blocked with dirt and debris from your yard. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out faster.
We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up annually. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility bills.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and take care of slight issues before they develop into costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we perform consists of:
- Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Testing lines, refrigerant levels and connections
It’s not too late to 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 upkeep 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 few 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
Pick a warm day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. That way, you can run the unit once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a handful 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
Cut the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out rubbish from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to cautiously 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. Warped or crumpled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to adjust warped fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc should take care of severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop the inside of the unit with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Put the fan back in once you’re finished.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working properly, contact us a call at (815)914-6197.
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 exchanged every few months, depending on the kind you use.
Unsure when you last replaced yours? Take it out and angle it toward the light. If light isn’t visible, replace it.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then examine your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a supple plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can sanitize it by flowing thinned bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect 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 Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your regular maintenance!