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

If you haven’t cleaned it recently, it could be blocked with mud and debris from your yard. This accumulation can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or make it wear out more quickly.

We advise having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up annually. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility costs.

Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and address slight issues before they develop into expensive 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 levels and connections

There’s still time to have a tune-up done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.

There’s also some maintenance you can do alone between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to wash your outdoor condenser unit, as well as a few components on your indoor HVAC system.

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

Cleaning Out the 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 test your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a handful of 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 power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

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

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

You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Bent or crumpled 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 store. A pro from Aggressive Mechanical should handle severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After taking out the fan, fish out leaves and other yard litter. Then mop the inside of the unit with a wet rag.

The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use light pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, showering water from the inside out. Replace the fan 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 running correctly, give us a call at 732-806-5536.

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

After, Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Stop the juice to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters should be exchanged every few months, depending on the model you use.

Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Remove it and angle it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, get a new one.

3. Clean the Inside

Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.

Then examine your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a pliable plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can sanitize it by flowing watered-down bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can buy a new tube.

Clean the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up the drain tube and restore power.

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

Don’t Forget a Tune-Up Again

Annual air conditioner maintenance from Aggressive Mechanical can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide handy service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your regular tune-up!