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

If you haven’t washed it this year, it could be full of dirt and debris from your yard. This buildup can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to break down. Or wear it down sooner.

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

Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians spot and take care of slight issues before they develop into costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we perform involves:

  • Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Watching pressure and temperature
  • Testing 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 upkeep 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 several pieces on your indoor HVAC system.

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

How to Clean Your Outside 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 run the unit once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a couple 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

Five Steps to Clean the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

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

2. Clean the Outside

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

Then run the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These parts are also called condenser coils and transfer heat away from your system.

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 adjust bent fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance part website. A pro from The Frazier Company should take care of large amounts of damage.

4. Clean the Inside

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

The only coil cleaner you need is water. Use slight pressure from a hose nozzle to clean the fins, showering water from the inside out. Reinstall the fan once you’re completed.

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

Now it’s time to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not working correctly, reach out to us a call at 402-628-0206.

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

Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Cut the power to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

Furnace filters should be changed every couple of months, depending on the kind you use.

Can’t remember when you last checked yours? Take it out and angle it toward 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 pliable plastic tube. If it’s scummy, you can sanitize it by flowing watered-down bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can get a new tube.

Clean 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

Don’t Forget a Tune-Up Again

Annual air conditioner maintenance from The Frazier Company 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 routine service!