With summer coming to an end in Paxinos, now is a good time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it recently, it could be blocked with mud and yard refuse. This accumulation can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out sooner.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up annually. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy bills.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and address minor issues before they become high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete consists of:
- Inspecting 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 ready for heating season too.
There’s also some work you can do on your own between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to clean 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
Pick a temperate day to clean 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 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
Five Steps to Clean the Outside Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out debris from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These components are also called condenser coils and move heat away from your equipment.
You need to be cautious with these fragile coils. Bent or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to adjust warped fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. should take care of large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, fish out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then clean the inside of the unit with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you should use is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re done.
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 570-648-0748.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
Three 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 should be changed every several months, depending on the type you use.
Unsure when you last put in a new one? Pull it out and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, 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 dirty, you can sanitize it by draining diluted bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Wash the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect 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 LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your regular maintenance!