With summer winding down in Norton, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t cleaned it this year, it could be blocked with dirt and debris from your yard. This buildup can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down sooner.

We advise having your air conditioning system professionally maintained annually. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility bills.

Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and take care of small issues before they become costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we do includes:

  • Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Confirming pressure and temperature
  • Reviewing lines, refrigerant levels and connections

You can still have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.

There’s also some work you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to get the grime off 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

Choose a temperate day to clean 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 handful 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

Five 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

Take out rubbish from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then turn on the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also referred to as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your equipment.

You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to straighten bent fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance part store. A pro from HCE Systems should handle large amounts of damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After taking out the fan, dig out leaves and other yard litter. Then wipe the inside of the equipment with a wet sponge.

The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, showering water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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 operating properly, contact us a call at 276-302-0076.

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

Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Cut the electricity to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters need to be changed every couple of months, depending on the model you use.

Not sure when you last put in a new one? Take it out and angle it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, 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 scummy, you can clean 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. Hook up 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 HCE Systems can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your routine tune-up!