With summer coming to an end in Shamokin and Sunbury, now is a good time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t washed it this year, it could be full of mud and yard refuse. This buildup can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out faster.

We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally maintained once a year. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric bills.

Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and handle small issues before they turn into costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we perform involves:

  • Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Checking pressure and temperature
  • Testing lines, refrigerant levels and connections

You can still have service 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. It only takes about an hour to get the grime off 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

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 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

Switch off the electricity 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 turn on the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These components are also called condenser coils and transfer heat away from your system.

You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Bent or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to straighten warped fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. should handle severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After extracting the fan, fish out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then wipe the inside of the equipment 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 done.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not operating properly, 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 exchanged every couple of months, depending on the type you use.

Not sure when you last put in a new one? Take it out and tilt it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, buy a new one.

3. Clean the Inside

Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.

Then inspect your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a pliable plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can clean it by pouring diluted bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can buy a new 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 LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your regular maintenance!