With summer ending in Phoenix, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be blocked with mud and debris from your yard. This collection can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out more quickly.
We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally serviced 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 locate and take care of slight issues before they become costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do involves:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
You can still 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 alone 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
Pick a temperate day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can test the unit once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a handful of 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
Stop the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out rubbish from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These parts are also known as condenser coils and move heat away from your system.
You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange misshapen fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc should handle large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop 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, directing water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re done.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running like it should, reach out to us a call at 602-832-7808.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut the power to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters should be changed every couple of months, depending on the type you use.
Unsure when you last put in a new one? Take it out and hold it up to the light. If light isn’t visible, replace it.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then examine your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a flexible plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can freshen it by flowing diluted bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can get a new 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 Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your annual maintenance!