With summer coming to an end in Cape Coral, now is a good time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be blocked with dust and yard waste. This collection can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down more quickly.
We advise 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.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and address small issues before they turn into high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we perform consists of:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Examining 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.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some work you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to get the grime off your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several 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
Select a mild day to wash 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 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
Stop the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Take out waste from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also known as condenser coils and move heat away from your unit.
You need to be considerate of these delicate coils. Warped 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 store. A pro from Comfort Zone, LLC should fix large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, pull out leaves and other yard litter. Then clean the inside of the equipment with a wet sponge.
The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Put the fan back in once you’re done.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running like it should, give us a call at 239-214-0411.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters need to be replaced every several months, depending on the kind you use.
Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Remove it and tilt it toward the light. If light isn’t 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 supple plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can sanitize it by pouring water-down bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Scrub 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 Comfort Zone, LLC can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also have convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your annual tune-up!