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

If you haven’t washed it lately, it could be full of dirt and yard refuse. This accumulation can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down faster.

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

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

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we perform consists of:

  • Inspecting the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Watching pressure and temperature
  • Testing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections

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

There’s also some work you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. It only takes about an hour to wash 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

Pick a temperate day to wash 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 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

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

2. Clean the Outside

Empty debris from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then run the vacuum to gently clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also referred to as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your system.

You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Bent or crushed fins can impact efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to straighten misshapen fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance part website. A pro from Bell Mechanical Services should fix severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After removing the fan, pull out leaves and other yard waste. Then clean the inside of the unit with a wet sponge.

The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to rinse the fins, directing water from the inside out. Put the fan back in 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 properly, give us a call at 888-863-0560.

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 electricity to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters must be replaced every few months, depending on the model you use.

Can’t remember when you last put in a new one? Remove it and tilt it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, replace it.

3. Clean the Inside

Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.

Then inspect your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a flexible plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can clean it by draining diluted bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can replace the tube.

Wash the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Hook up the drain tube and switch the power back on.

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

Never Forget a Tune-Up Again

Annual air conditioner maintenance from Bell Mechanical Services can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also offer practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to schedule your routine tune-up!