With summer winding down in Boynton Beach, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it recently, it could be clogged with dust and yard waste. This buildup can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or wear it down sooner.
We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally maintained once a year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric bills.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and address slight issues before they become expensive 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
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
There’s still time to have a tune-up 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 on your own between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to get the grime off your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of components 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 temperate day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can check the unit 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
Empty waste from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then run the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These components are also known as condenser coils and divert heat away from your equipment.
You need to be considerate of these fine coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to adjust misshapen fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from A2Z Air Inc should fix severe damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, dig out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop the inside of the equipment with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, spraying 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 561-270-6228.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop 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 kind you use.
Not sure when you last replaced yours? Pull it out and hold it up to the light. If light isn’t visible, get 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 water-down bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Scrub 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 A2Z Air Inc can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine maintenance!