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

If you haven’t cleaned it lately, it could be blocked with dirt and yard waste. This accumulation can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or wear it down more quickly.

We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up once a year. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric bills.

Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and take care of small issues before they become high-priced problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we do involves:

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

There’s still time to have a tune-up done this fall—and we can get your furnace ready for heating season too.

There’s also some work you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to clean 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?

How to Clean Your Outside AC Unit

Choose a temperate day to clean 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 things:

  • 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 juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

Empty rubbish from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then run the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also referred to as condenser coils and divert heat away from your equipment.

You need to be considerate of these delicate coils. Bent or crushed fins can affect efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to adjust bent fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance part store. A pro from B & G HVAC should fix large amounts of damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After removing the fan, pull out leaves and other yard litter. Then mop the inside of the system with a wet cloth.

The only coil cleaner you should use is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Replace the fan once you’re completed.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not operating correctly, contact us a call at 641-316-3360.

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 should be changed every couple of months, depending on the model you use.

Unsure when you last replaced yours? Take it out and angle it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, get 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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can sanitize it by pouring diluted bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can replace the tube.

Wash the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up 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 B & G HVAC can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your annual service!