With summer ending in Hodgenville, now is a great time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be blocked with dust and yard refuse. This accumulation can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or require replacement sooner.
We recommend 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 electric bills.
Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and take care of small issues before they develop into high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do consists of:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Examining lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
It’s not too late 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 by yourself between professional tune-ups. You only need 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
Choose a temperate 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 few tools:
- 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
Switch off the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Remove debris from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These parts are also called as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your equipment.
You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Bent or crinkled fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten misshapen fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Phelps Heating & Cooling should fix severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, dig out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then clean the inside of the equipment with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, showering water from the inside out. Put the fan back in once you’re completed.
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, give us a call at 270-358-3167.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters need to be changed every couple of months, depending on the model you use.
Unsure when you last checked yours? Take it out and tilt it toward the light. If light isn’t 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 scummy, you can sanitize it by draining thinned bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can buy a new 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 Phelps Heating & Cooling 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 routine maintenance!