With summer ending in Thousand Palms, now is a good time to get a kick start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t cleaned it this year, it could be full of mud and debris from your yard. This buildup can reduce your unit’s efficiency and cause it to stop working. Or require replacement sooner.

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

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

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we do includes:

  • Taking a look at the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Watching pressure and temperature
  • Testing lines, refrigerant amounts and connections

You can still have service done this fall—and we can get your furnace prepared for heating season too.

There’s also some maintenance you can do by yourself between professional tune-ups. You just need about an hour to clean your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several parts on your indoor HVAC system.

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

Tips for Cleaning the Outside AC Unit

Select a temperate day to scrub 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 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 Follow as You 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

Remove debris from the equipment. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

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

You need to be considerate of these fragile coils. Bent or crumpled fins can impact efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to adjust bent fins. You can also get a fin comb from an appliance part website. A pro from Marios Air Conditioning should take care of large amounts of damage.

4. Clean the Inside

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

The only coil cleaner you have to have is water. Use gentle pressure from a hose nozzle to clean 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 operating properly, contact us a call at 760-314-4766.

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

After, 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 replaced every couple of 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 there’s no light visible, 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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can sanitize it by flowing diluted bleach through the tube to clean the line. Or you can buy a new tube.

Scrub the drain port using a small, round paintbrush. Reconnect the drain tube and switch 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 Marios Air Conditioning can make your system more efficient and help it last longer. We also have practical service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your routine maintenance!