With summer coming to an end in Rapid City, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t cleaned it recently, it could be blocked with dust and yard waste. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out faster.
We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally maintained every year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric costs.
Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and take care of small issues before they develop into high-priced 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
- Examining lines, refrigerant amounts and connections
It’s not too late to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.
Schedule maintenance now
There’s also some upkeep you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a few 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 temperate day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can run 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
Switch off the power 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 gently clean the metallic fins. These parts are also called as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your equipment.
You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Misshapen or crinkled 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 Street Heating and Cooling should fix 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 unit with a wet rag.
The only coil cleaner you should use is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, showering water from the inside out. Reinstall 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 running correctly, contact us a call at 605-206-3915.
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 changed every several months, depending on the type you use.
Not sure when you last replaced yours? Remove it and angle it toward the light. If light isn’t visible, replace it.
3. Clean the Inside
Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.
Then inspect your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a flexible plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can sanitize it by flowing diluted bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Wash 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 Street Heating and Cooling can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your regular maintenance!