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With summer ending in Marshfield, now is a great time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it lately, it could be full of dust and debris from your yard. This collection can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or make it wear out faster.
We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up once a year. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric bills.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and handle minor issues before they become expensive 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
There’s still time to have service 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 by yourself between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of 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
Pick a mild day to scrub 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 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
Take out waste from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also known as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your unit.
You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Bent or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange warped fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from House of Heating Incorporated should handle extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, dig out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop the inside of the equipment with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, showering water from the inside out. Put the fan back in once you’re finished.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working correctly, give us a call at 715-384-3163.
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 exchanged every few months, depending on the kind you use.
Not sure when you last checked yours? Pull it out 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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can sanitize it by pouring water-down bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can buy a new tube.
Wash the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up the drain tube and restore power.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Well Through Fall
Never Forget a Tune-Up Again
Annual air conditioner maintenance from House of Heating Incorporated can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your annual service!