With summer coming to an end in Carson City, now is a good time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be blocked with mud and yard waste. This buildup can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down sooner.
We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up once a year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility costs.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and handle slight issues before they become expensive problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do includes:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
It’s not too late to have service done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some work you can do on your own between professional tune-ups. You only 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 temperate day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can run your system 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
Stop the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Remove waste from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then run the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also called as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your unit.
You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Warped or crushed fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange bent fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Anderson Heating & A/C should fix extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop the inside of the system with a wet rag.
The only coil cleaner you should use is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, showering water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan 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 running correctly, contact us a call at 775-230-7628.
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 few months, depending on the kind you use.
Not sure when you last put in a new one? Take it out and tilt it toward the light. If light isn’t visible, get 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 freshen it by flowing thinned bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Scrub 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 Anderson Heating & A/C can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your regular maintenance!