With summer ending in Tuscaloosa, now is a good time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it this year, it could be clogged with dirt and yard waste. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down more quickly.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally serviced annually. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric costs.
Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and address minor issues before they turn into high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we perform includes:
- Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Examining lines, refrigerant totals 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 upkeep you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several pieces 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 warm day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. That way, you can check your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a few 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
Switch off the electricity 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 run the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also referred to as condenser coils and divert heat away from your unit.
You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Warped or crushed fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten bent fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from KDM Service Corporation should take care of extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After removing the fan, dig out leaves and other yard litter. Then wipe the inside of the system with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, showering water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re completed.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not operating like it should, give us a call at 205-208-8090.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters need to be changed every couple of months, depending on the type you use.
Can’t remember when you last replaced yours? Remove it and hold it up to the light. If there’s no light visible, replace it.
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 moldy, you can clean it by flowing diluted bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Wash the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect 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 KDM Service Corporation can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine tune-up!