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

If you haven’t taken care of it this year, it could be blocked with dirt and yard refuse. This accumulation can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or require replacement more quickly.

We suggest having your air conditioning system professionally serviced once a year. Why? Clean equipment can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on electric bills.

Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and handle small issues before they become costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we complete includes:

  • Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Watching pressure and temperature
  • Testing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections

There’s still time to have a tune-up 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. It only takes 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 Outside AC Unit

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

Five Steps to Clean the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

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

2. Clean the Outside

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

Then run the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These components are also called condenser coils and divert heat away from your equipment.

You need to be cautious with these fragile coils. Misshapen or crumpled fins can affect efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to straighten misshapen fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance part retailer. A pro from Aggressive Mechanical should take care of severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

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

The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, showering water from the inside out. Put the fan back in once you’re done.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working properly, reach out to us a call at 732-806-5536.

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 juice to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters must be changed every couple of months, depending on the model you use.

Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Pull it out and angle it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, 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 pliable plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can sanitize it by draining watered-down bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the 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 About Maintenance Again

Annual air conditioner maintenance from Aggressive Mechanical can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your annual service!