With summer ending in Plover, now is a good time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t cleaned it recently, it could be blocked with dirt and yard refuse. This collection can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down sooner.

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

Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and address small issues before they become expensive problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we perform involves:

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

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

There’s also some maintenance you can do alone between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several 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

Choose a temperate day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can check your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a couple 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

Switch off the electricity to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

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

Then turn on the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also known as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your system.

You need to be careful with these fine coils. Bent or crumpled 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 part store. A pro from Point Heating & Cooling should fix extensive damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After removing the fan, fish out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then clean the inside of the equipment with a wet sponge.

The only coil cleaner you should use is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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 running like it should, reach out to us a call at 715-504-0533.

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

Three 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 need to be exchanged every several months, depending on the kind you use.

Can’t remember when you last replaced yours? Remove it 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 take a look at your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a pliable plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can freshen it by flowing thinned bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can buy a new tube.

Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect 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 Point Heating & Cooling can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your regular maintenance!