With summer winding down in Long Island, now is a great time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it lately, it could be clogged with dust and debris from your yard. This accumulation can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or require replacement sooner.
We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally maintained annually. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric expenses.
Regular AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and handle slight 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
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant levels and connections
There’s still time to have service done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared 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 clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of 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
Select a warm day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can test your equipment 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
5 Steps to Clean the Outside Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut the power 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 cautiously clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also referred to as condenser coils and move heat away from your equipment.
You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Misshapen or crinkled fins can impact efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange warped fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance parts retailer. A pro from Airmax Long Island Inc should fix extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then mop the inside of the equipment with a wet cloth.
The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Replace the fan 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 working like it should, give us a call at 631-737-5566.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Cut 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 type you use.
Can’t remember when you last checked yours? Pull it out and angle it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, 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 moldy, you can clean it by flowing thinned bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect 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 Airmax Long Island Inc can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine tune-up!