With summer winding down in Wisconsin Rapids, now is an ideal time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t washed it recently, it could be full of dirt and yard waste. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or make it wear out more quickly.

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

Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and address slight issues before they develop into high-priced problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we complete includes:

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

There’s still time to have service done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepped 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 get the grime off your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several components on your indoor HVAC system.

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

How to Clean Your Outdoor AC Unit

Select a temperate day to scrub your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is great. That way, you can run your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a couple of items:

  • 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

Follow these Steps for Cleaning the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

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

2. Clean the Outside

Empty waste from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then run the vacuum to cautiously clean the metallic fins. These parts are also known as condenser coils and divert heat away from your system.

You need to be careful with these delicate coils. Bent or crumpled fins can impact efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to straighten bent fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance part store. A pro from Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc should handle severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After taking out the fan, dig out leaves and other yard rubbish. Then wipe the inside of the equipment with a wet rag.

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

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

You can now restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not operating properly, reach out to us a call at 715-301-0256.

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

Three Steps to 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 need to be exchanged every several months, depending on the model you use.

Not sure when you last put in a new one? Pull it out and tilt it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, get a new one.

3. Clean the Inside

Remove the blower door and vacuum up dust.

Then take a look at your air conditioner’s drain line—it’s a pliable plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can freshen it by flowing diluted bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can replace the tube.

Clean 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 Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc can make your unit more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your annual tune-up!