With your new air conditioner, you can heave a sigh of relief because you know you’ll be comfortable even during the hottest days of summer. However, you’ll want to maintain that feeling for several years. To do that, the AC will need routine maintenance once or twice a year. It’s a good idea to call a professional technician, but if you want to do it yourself, follow these steps whenever you clean the AC.
Turn the Power Off
There are so many moving parts, not to mention electricity running through the unit, that you can easily get hurt. Therefore, turn off the AC before you start cleaning it.
If Necessary, Level the Unit
If your AC unit is new then it should be level, but if it’s not, lift the AC unit and move dirt underneath the uneven side until the unit is evened up.
Clean the Outside of the AC
Dirt, dust, and debris get inside the fan cage and condenser fins. From time to time, clean them out and sweep up the area around the unit.
Remove Debris From the Fan Cage
Take the fan cage off the unit and then pick out any leaves, twigs, and anything else that has gotten stuck in the metal slats.
Clean the Condenser Fins
Remove the outside covers from the unit and use a soft brush along the condenser fins (thin, metal slats) to wipe away the dirt. Then take a garden hose and, with gentle pressure, rinse the fins.
Straighten the Condenser Fins
Using a butter knife, gently straighten any of the fins that have gotten bent.
Clean the Evaporator Coil
With a soft brush, wipe away any dirt on the evaporator coil, which you can find inside the unit. Once you have wiped it down, spray it with a no-rinse coil spray.
Find and Unclog the Evaporator Drain
Evaporator drains get clogged up with mold. You can unclog it with a wet/dry vacuum. The drain will most likely be near the unit, but it might also be found near a utility sink, in the basement, or on an outside wall.
Replace the AC Filter
Locate the filter and remove it. Then properly align the new filter by locating the airflow direction.
Turn the Power Back On
Once you’re done, turn the AC back on.
Let Us Handle the Maintenance So You Don’t Have To
If you need to install a new AC, call us at Alabama Home Pros today to schedule an appointment anywhere in or near Montgomery, AL. We can also perform maintenance for you if you’d rather not do it yourself. Our certified technicians will keep your AC running smoothly for years to come.