With summer winding down in Crystal and Twin Cities, now is an ideal time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it this year, it could be clogged with dust and yard waste. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or require replacement sooner.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally serviced once a year. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility costs.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and address slight issues before they turn into expensive 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 totals and connections
There’s still time to have maintenance 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 on your own between professional tune-ups. It only takes 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
Choose a warm day to wash 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 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 juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out waste from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These components are also known as condenser coils and divert heat away from your equipment.
You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to adjust misshapen fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from GV Heating & Air should take care of large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, dig out leaves and other yard litter. Then clean the inside of the unit with a wet rag.
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
Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working correctly, reach out to us a call at 763-535-2000.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 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 must be exchanged every couple of months, depending on the type you use.
Unsure when you last checked yours? Pull it out and angle it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, get a new one.
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 pliable plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can freshen it by draining diluted bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Wash 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 GV Heating & Air can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your annual tune-up!