With summer ending in Columbia, now is an ideal time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be full of dust and debris from your yard. This buildup can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or require replacement more quickly.

We recommend having your air conditioning system professionally serviced annually. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on energy bills.

Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and take care of slight 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:

  • Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Checking pressure and temperature
  • Reviewing lines, refrigerant totals and connections

It’s not too late to have service done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.

There’s also some maintenance you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a couple of parts on your indoor HVAC system.

Related: How Often Should You Expect to Get Air Conditioning Service Done?

Cleaning Out the Outdoor AC Unit

Select a temperate day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. That way, you can run your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a handful of items:

  • 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 Follow as You Clean the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Switch off the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

Take out rubbish from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then turn on the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These parts are also known as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your equipment.

You need to be careful with these fine coils. Bent or crushed 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 part store. A pro from Watts Electric & AC should handle extensive damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After extracting the fan, dig out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop the inside of the equipment with a wet cloth.

The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Replace the fan once you’re finished.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not running properly, reach out to us a call at 601-736-7362.

Related: Air Conditioner Service: Pay a Little Now, Save Later

Next, How You Can 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 need to be exchanged every couple of months, depending on the model you use.

Unsure when you last put in a new one? Remove it and hold it up to 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 supple plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can freshen it by flowing diluted bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can buy a new tube.

Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect 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 Watts Electric & AC can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your routine service!