With summer ending in West Valley City, 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 full of mud and debris from your yard. This accumulation can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down more quickly.
We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally serviced every year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy costs.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and address slight issues before they develop into expensive problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete includes:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Watching pressure and temperature
- Testing lines, refrigerant levels and connections
It’s not too late to have a tune-up done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some upkeep you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You just 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
Choose a temperate day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can test your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a couple 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
Cut the power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Remove waste from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These components are also called as condenser coils and divert heat away from your unit.
You need to be cautious with these fragile coils. Warped or crumpled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten warped fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning should fix severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, dig out leaves and other yard waste. Then clean the inside of the unit with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you should use 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 completed.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running like it should, contact us a call at 801-305-4777.
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 should be changed every several months, depending on the kind you use.
Not sure when you last checked yours? Pull it out and tilt it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, get 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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can freshen it by draining water-down bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Scrub 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 Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also have practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your regular tune-up!