With summer ending in Des Moines, now is an ideal time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it lately, it could be full of dust and yard refuse. This collection can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or make it wear out faster.
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 energy expenses.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and handle small issues before they become high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete involves:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Reviewing 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 maintenance you can do on your own between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to wash 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
Choose a temperate day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can run the unit once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a few 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
5 Steps to Clean the Outside Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Empty debris from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then run the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These components are also referred to as condenser coils and move heat away from your equipment.
You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Misshapen or crinkled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to adjust misshapen fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from Heartland Heating & Cooling should take care of severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, pull out leaves and other yard litter. Then mop the inside of the system with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you should use is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, showering water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan 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 running correctly, give us a call at 515-344-3579.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Turn off the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters should be replaced every couple of months, depending on the type you use.
Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Remove it and hold it up to the light. If there’s no light visible, 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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can clean it by pouring thinned bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up 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 Heartland Heating & Cooling 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 routine maintenance!