With summer winding down in Crystal and Twin Cities, now is a good time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t cleaned it this year, it could be full of dirt and yard refuse. This accumulation can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or make it wear out more quickly.

We advise having your air conditioning system professionally maintained annually. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric bills.

Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and take care of small issues before they become high-priced problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we do includes:

  • Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Watching pressure and temperature
  • Testing lines, refrigerant levels and connections

There’s still time to have a tune-up done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.

There’s also some work you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to wash 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

Select a mild day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can check 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

Five Steps to Clean the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Switch off the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

Remove rubbish from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then turn on the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also called condenser coils and transfer heat away from your system.

You need to be careful with these fragile coils. Warped or crushed fins can impact efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to straighten warped fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from GV Heating & Air should handle severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After taking out the fan, dig out leaves and other yard waste. Then clean the inside of the system with a wet cloth.

The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, showering 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 correctly, give us a call at 763-535-2000.

Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later

Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Stop the electricity to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters need to be exchanged every couple of months, depending on the type you use.

Can’t remember when you last replaced yours? Remove it and angle 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 take a look at your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a pliable plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can freshen it by draining diluted bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.

Clean 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 GV Heating & Air can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also have handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine service!