With summer winding down in Alliance, now is an ideal time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t cleaned it this year, it could be blocked with mud and yard refuse. 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 tuned-up every year. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility costs.

Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and handle slight issues before they turn into costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we perform consists of:

  • Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Watching pressure and temperature
  • Examining lines, refrigerant totals and connections

You can still have a tune-up done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.

There’s also some work you can do on your own between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of 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 wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can run the unit 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

Five Steps to Clean the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Stop the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

Remove debris from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then run the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also referred to as condenser coils and divert heat away from your equipment.

You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Warped or crumpled fins can impact efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to rearrange warped fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces should fix severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After extracting the fan, dig out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then wipe the inside of the unit with a wet cloth.

The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re completed.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not operating like it should, give us a call at 308-321-4703.

Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later

Three 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 must be replaced every few months, depending on the model you use.

Not sure when you last replaced yours? Remove it and angle it toward 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 supple plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can freshen it by pouring thinned bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.

Wash 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 Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your annual maintenance!