With summer coming to an end in Newark, now is a great time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t washed it lately, it could be blocked with dirt and yard waste. This buildup can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down more quickly.

We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally maintained every year. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility expenses.

Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and address small issues before they turn into costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we perform includes:

  • Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Watching pressure and temperature
  • Reviewing 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.

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

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

How to Clean Your Outdoor AC Unit

Choose a warm day to clean your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can check 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

Follow these Steps for Cleaning the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

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

2. Clean the Outside

Remove waste from the unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then turn on the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These parts are also referred to as condenser coils and divert heat away from your system.

You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Misshapen 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 part website. A pro from Luikart Heating & Cooling should take care of large amounts of damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After taking out the fan, fish out leaves and other yard waste. Then mop the inside of the system with a wet sponge.

The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to wash 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 operating correctly, reach out to us a call at 740-344-5497.

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

Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Stop the power to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters should be replaced every several months, depending on the kind you use.

Can’t remember when you last replaced yours? Remove it and angle it toward the light. If light isn’t visible, get a new one.

3. Clean the Inside

Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.

Then inspect your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a pliable plastic tube. If it’s dirty, you can freshen it by flowing thinned bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can buy a new tube.

Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect the drain tube and turn the power back on.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Well Through Fall

Don’t Forget About Maintenance Again

Annual air conditioner maintenance from Luikart Heating & 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 routine maintenance!