With summer ending in Naples, now is a good time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it lately, it could be clogged with dirt and yard waste. This collection can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or require replacement sooner.
We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up every year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility expenses.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and address minor issues before they become costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete consists of:
- Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Examining lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
It’s not too late to have service done this fall—and we can get your furnace ready for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some maintenance 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 a couple of 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 mild day to scrub 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
5 Steps to Clean the Outside Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Remove rubbish from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also referred to as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your system.
You need to be careful with these fine coils. Bent or crinkled fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange warped fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts store. A pro from Speedy Air Conditioning should handle large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, fish out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then clean the inside of the system with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, directing water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re finished.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working properly, give us a call at 239-244-3439.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 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 must be exchanged every several months, depending on the kind you use.
Unsure when you last replaced yours? Take it out and hold it up to the light. If light isn’t visible, buy a new one.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then inspect your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a flexible plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can freshen it by pouring diluted bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can buy a new tube.
Wash 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 Speedy 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 book your regular tune-up!