With summer ending in Marshalltown, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t washed it lately, it could be blocked with dust and yard waste. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or make it wear out sooner.

We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally serviced annually. 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 handle minor issues before they become costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we complete includes:

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

There’s still time to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.

There’s also some upkeep you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of pieces on your indoor HVAC system.

Related: How Often Should You Expect to Get Air Conditioning Service Done?

Cleaning Out the Outdoor AC Unit

Choose a warm day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can run your system once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a couple of tools:

  • 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

Follow these Steps for Cleaning 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 debris from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

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

You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Warped 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 retailer. A pro from B & G HVAC should handle large amounts of damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then wipe the inside of the system with a wet rag.

The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, showering water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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 running correctly, reach out to us a call at 641-316-3360.

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

Then, You Can Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Turn off 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.

Can’t remember when you last replaced yours? Pull it out and angle it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, buy 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 sanitize it by flowing diluted bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can get a new tube.

Wash the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up the drain tube and switch the power back on.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Well Through Fall

Don’t Forget a Tune-Up Again

Annual air conditioner maintenance from B & G HVAC can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also have practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your routine service!