With summer winding down in Haines City, now is a good time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it this year, it could be full of dust and yard refuse. This collection can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out faster.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up annually. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy costs.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and take care of minor issues before they become high-priced problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we complete involves:
- Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Watching 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 ready for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some work you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several 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 wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is ideal. That way, you can check your system once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a few 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
Cut the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.
2. Clean the Outside
Empty waste from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then turn on the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These components are also called as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your system.
You need to be cautious with these fragile coils. Bent or crushed fins can affect efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to rearrange misshapen fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance parts website. A pro from Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. should handle extensive damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After removing the fan, fish out leaves and other yard litter. Then mop 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 clean the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re done.
5. Test Your Air Conditioner
You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not operating correctly, give us a call at 863-216-2923.
Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later
3 Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Stop the electricity to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters need to be exchanged every couple of months, depending on the model you use.
Not sure when you last replaced yours? Take it out and tilt it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, get 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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can freshen it by flowing diluted bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can get a new tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect the drain tube and switch 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 Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your annual tune-up!