With summer coming to an end in Marshfield, now is a great time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be blocked with dirt and yard refuse. This buildup can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or require replacement more quickly.
We advise 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 expenses.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and handle slight issues before they become costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete consists of:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Examining lines, refrigerant levels and connections
There’s still time to have maintenance 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 alone between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to wash 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 mild day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can check your system 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
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
Empty rubbish from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also called as condenser coils and divert heat away from your unit.
You need to be careful with these fragile coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten misshapen fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from House of Heating Incorporated should take care of large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then clean 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 rinse the fins, directing water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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 working like it should, contact 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 changed every several months, depending on the type you use.
Not sure when you last put in a new one? Take it out and angle it toward the light. If light isn’t 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 supple plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can clean it by pouring diluted bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect the drain tube and switch 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 House of Heating Incorporated can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also have practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine service!