With summer ending in Rapid City, now is a great time to get ahead on air conditioner maintenance.
If you haven’t taken care of it recently, it could be full of dust and yard waste. This accumulation can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or require replacement more quickly.
We advise having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up once a year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric costs.
Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and take care of slight issues before they turn into costly problems.
Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing
Some of the work we perform includes:
- Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
- Watching pressure and temperature
- Reviewing lines, refrigerant totals and connections
You can still have service done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.
There’s also some work you can do on your own between professional tune-ups. You only need 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
Pick a temperate day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. That way, you can run the unit once you’ve cleaned it.
You’ll only need a handful 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
Five 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
Remove rubbish from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.
Then use the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These components are also called condenser coils and move heat away from your unit.
You need to be careful with these fine coils. Bent or crushed fins can influence efficiency.
3. Fix Bent Fins
Use a butter knife to straighten bent fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from Street Heating and Cooling should handle large amounts of damage.
4. Clean the Inside
After removing 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 have to have is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, directing water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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
Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit
1. Turn Off the Power
Turn off the power to your furnace at the breaker box.
2. Check Your Filter
Furnace filters must be changed every couple of months, depending on the type you use.
Can’t remember when you last replaced yours? Pull it out 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 examine your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a flexible plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can clean it by draining thinned bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.
Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up the drain tube and turn 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 Street Heating and Cooling can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your regular service!