With summer winding down in Florissant, now is a great time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it lately, it could be clogged with mud and yard waste. This buildup can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down sooner.
We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally serviced annually. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy costs.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and take care of minor issues before they become high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do involves:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Checking pressure and temperature
- Examining lines, refrigerant totals and connections
There’s still time to have service 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. It only takes about an hour to get the grime off 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
Pick a warm day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can test your equipment 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
Switch off the power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Empty waste from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These parts are also referred to as condenser coils and move heat away from your system.
You need to be cautious with these fine coils. Bent or crushed fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange misshapen fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from B & B Heating & Cooling should take care of large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After removing the fan, fish out leaves and other yard waste. Then clean the inside of the unit with a wet rag.
The only coil cleaner you have to have 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 finished.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working like it should, contact us a call at 314-325-7552.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Turn off the power to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters should be replaced every several months, depending on the model you use.
Unsure when you last put in a new one? Pull it out and hold it up to the light. If there’s no light visible, buy 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 clean it by flowing water-down bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect 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 B & B Heating & Cooling can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your regular service!