With summer coming to an end in Menomonie and western Wisconsin, now is a good time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t taken care of it this year, it could be blocked with mud and yard waste. This accumulation can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down sooner.

We suggest 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.

Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and address slight issues before they become 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
  • Confirming pressure and temperature
  • Reviewing lines, refrigerant levels and connections

You can still have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped for heating season too.

There’s also some maintenance you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You only need about an hour to get the grime off 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?

Tips for Cleaning 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 the unit once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a few tools:

  • 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

Stop the juice to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

Take out debris from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then use the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also referred to as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your unit.

You need to be considerate of these fine coils. Bent or crinkled fins can affect efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to rearrange misshapen fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from Halverson Brothers Inc should handle large amounts of damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After extracting the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then wipe the inside of the unit with a wet cloth.

The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Replace 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 like it should, give us a call at 715-352-4052.

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

After, Three 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 should be changed every few months, depending on the type you use.

Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Pull it out and hold it up to the light. If light isn’t visible, buy 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 supple plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can freshen it by draining thinned bleach through the tube to sanitize the line. Or you can get a new tube.

Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Connect 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 Halverson Brothers Inc can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your regular tune-up!