Are you gearing up for spring cleaning? Don’t forget about your air conditioner! Many homeowners don’t realize they should inspect and clean their air conditioners before cranking them up in late spring. Unfortunately, neglecting this simple maintenance action can age your HVAC system far faster than you’d like to believe. If you’re not sure how to go about taking care of your air conditioner this spring, our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating breaks down the process below.
Indoor Air Conditioner Checklist
When inspecting and cleaning your air conditioner, you’ll need to take care of both the indoor and outdoor components. Let’s tackle the indoor portion first. Here’s what you need to do:
● Wipe down the evaporator coil. Above the blower motor, you should see the evaporator coil, which usually looks like the letter “A.” Using a soft brush, gently remove any dust accumulation before spraying the coil with specialty coil cleaner. Allow any excess cleaner to fall into the drip pan before cleaning wiping out the pan, too.
● Clean the evaporator drain line. If you can see algae or mold on the drain line, you can remove it using a wet/dry vacuum or even a plumber’s snake. If you’re not comfortable doing this, don’t worry! An A/C technician can easily clean the line and the rest of your air conditioner, too.
● Turn off the humidifier water supply. If your system has a humidifier, it’s typically best to turn it off during the months you plan to use your air conditioner extensively.
● Replace the filter. Spring is an ideal time to change your HVAC filter, but it’s not the only time you should do so. Ideally, you should replace the filter at 6-month intervals for optimal system performance.
If you’re not comfortable with do-it-yourself air conditioner cleaning, you can always contact our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating for a full inspection and maintenance.
Outdoor Air Conditioner Checklist
After you’ve tackled the indoor component of your air conditioner, it’s time to head outside. If you have easy access to a ground unit, cleaning shouldn’t be a problem. But, if your unit is situated on your roof or you live in multi-family housing, contact a professional A/C technician for your own safety. Here’s what you need to do:
● Clean around the condenser. Remove any outdoor debris, such as leaves, sticks, lawn clippings, and dirt from the area around the condenser unit. It’s also a good idea to trim grass and any foliage within a two-foot radius around the unit.
● Clean inside the condenser. You’ll need to remove the unit’s outer cover to access the interior fins. Using an industrial vacuum, gently clear away dirt and other debris from the fins before spraying them with coil cleaner to loosen caked-on debris. Rinse the fins with a gentle stream of water from your garden hose.
● Give the fins a once-over. Inspect the fins for signs of damage and gently straighten them if necessary. This allows for free-flowing air and improved system efficiency.
● Make sure the unit is level. If you can see the condenser unit has tilted to one side, position it so that it’s perfectly level. Even a small degree of tilt can strain the coolant lines and cause the system’s lubricant to separate and interrupt the normal flow of refrigerant.
There you have it! If you’re ready for DIY air conditioner cleaning, be sure to include these steps as part of your normal spring cleaning routine. You’ll find that your system operates more efficiently and lasts far longer when you take proper care of it each year.
Need Air Conditioner Repair or Replacement? Contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating
If your air conditioner is acting up, our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating is here to fix it. For nearly three decades, we’ve been serving Central Wisconsin homeowners with prompt, professional If you’re not sure whether you need air conditioner repair or replacement, we can inspect your system for damage and signs of deterioration and give you the most cost-effective recommendation. To learn more about our services or to schedule your appointment, feel free to give our team a call at 715-421-1800 or send us a message on our contact page, and we’ll be in touch!