With summer coming to an end in Oxford, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it this year, it could be blocked with dust and debris from your yard. This collection can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down faster.
We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally serviced annually. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy costs.
Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and take care of slight issues before they turn into expensive problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete consists of:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
You can still have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some work you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. You just need 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 warm day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. 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 juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out debris from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also referred to as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your unit.
You need to be careful with these fragile coils. Bent or crinkled fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to adjust bent fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc should fix extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After removing the fan, dig out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then mop the inside of the equipment with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, showering water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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 working like it should, reach out to us a call at 662-281-1231.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 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 replaced 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 there’s no light visible, buy 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 water-down bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect 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 Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also have convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your annual service!