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

If you haven’t taken care of it lately, it could be blocked with dust and yard waste. This collection can decrease your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or wear it down faster.

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

Consistent AC maintenance also helps our technicians discover and take care of minor issues before they become high-priced 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
  • Confirming pressure and temperature
  • Reviewing lines, refrigerant levels and connections

There’s still time to have maintenance done this fall—and we can get your furnace ready for heating season too.

There’s also some upkeep you can do alone 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?

Tips for Cleaning the Outdoor AC Unit

Pick a mild day to wash your air conditioner. At least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) is best. That way, you can check your equipment once you’ve cleaned it.

You’ll only need a few 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

Follow these Steps for Cleaning 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 unit. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then turn on the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These pieces are also referred to as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your equipment.

You need to be careful with these fragile coils. Bent or crinkled fins can influence efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to rearrange bent fins. You can also use a fin comb from an appliance part website. A pro from 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning should handle severe damage.

4. Clean the Inside

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

The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to wash the fins, spraying water from the inside out. Replace 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 like it should, reach out to us a call at 949-204-0859.

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

Three Steps to Clean the Indoor Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Stop the electricity to your furnace at the breaker box.

2. Check Your Filter

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

Unsure when you last replaced yours? Remove it and tilt it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, buy 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 scummy, you can freshen it by flowing watered-down bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can replace the tube.

Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect the drain tube and turn 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 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also have practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to book your annual maintenance!