With summer coming to an end in Sandpoint, now is an ideal time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it recently, it could be clogged with dust and yard refuse. This buildup can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out sooner.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up annually. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility expenses.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and handle small issues before they become high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do consists of:
- Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Testing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
It’s not too late to have service 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 by yourself between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to get the grime off your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a few 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
Select a temperate day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can check your system once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a couple of items:
- 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
Remove debris from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also known as condenser coils and move heat away from your system.
You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Misshapen or crushed fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten warped fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Age Heating & Cooling should take care of severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, fish out leaves and other yard litter. Then mop the inside of the equipment with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you should use is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Put the fan back in once you’re completed.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working correctly, give us a call at 208-578-4258.
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 replaced every several months, depending on the kind you use.
Unsure when you last put in a new one? Remove it and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, buy a new one.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then examine your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a pliable plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can clean it by draining diluted bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can replace the 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 Age Heating & Cooling 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 routine service!