With summer ending in Des Moines, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t taken care of it recently, it could be full of dirt and yard waste. This collection can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out sooner.

We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally serviced every year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric expenses.

Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and handle minor issues before they become costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we perform involves:

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

It’s not too late to have service done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.

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?

Tips for Cleaning the Outside AC Unit

Pick a temperate day to wash 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 couple 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

Empty debris from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

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

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

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to straighten warped fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance part store. A pro from Heartland Heating & Cooling should take care of severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After removing the fan, pull out leaves and other yard litter. Then mop the inside of the unit with a wet rag.

The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, showering water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re done.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running correctly, contact us a call at 515-344-3579.

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

Then, You Can 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 must be replaced every several months, depending on the kind you use.

Not sure when you last replaced yours? Remove it and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, 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 supple plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can sanitize it by flowing watered-down bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can get 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 Heartland Heating & Cooling can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your routine maintenance!