With summer ending in Pflugerville, now is a good time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it this year, it could be blocked with mud and debris from your yard. This buildup can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or require replacement more quickly.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally maintained every year. Why? A clean system can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric bills.
Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and take care of slight issues before they turn into costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we do consists of:
- Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Watching pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant levels 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 by yourself between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to clean 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 warm day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. 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
5 Steps to Clean the Outside Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out rubbish from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also called as condenser coils and divert heat away from your unit.
You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Warped or crumpled fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange bent fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning should handle severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then wipe the inside of the equipment with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re done.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working like it should, contact us a call at 512-355-1482.
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 exchanged every few months, depending on the type you use.
Can’t remember when you last checked yours? Remove it and tilt it toward the light. If light isn’t visible, buy 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 pliable plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can clean it by draining thinned bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up 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 Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also have practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your annual maintenance!