With summer coming to an end in Muskogee, now is an ideal time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t washed it this year, it could be full of dirt and debris from your yard. This accumulation can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or make it wear out 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.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate 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:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Confirming pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant totals and connections
It’s not too late to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
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 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
Choose a temperate day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can run your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a couple 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
5 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
Empty debris from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These components are also known as condenser coils and move heat away from your system.
You need to be careful with these fragile coils. Bent or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to adjust misshapen fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. should handle large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After taking out the fan, fish out leaves and other yard waste. Then clean the inside of the equipment with a wet rag.
The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, showering water from the inside out. Replace the fan 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 working properly, reach out to us a call at 918-682-8238.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Turn off the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters must be replaced every several months, depending on the kind you use.
Not sure when you last replaced yours? Pull it out and tilt it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, replace it.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then examine your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a flexible plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can sanitize it by pouring diluted bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Clean 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 Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your annual tune-up!