With summer winding down in Muskogee, now is a great time to get a head start on air conditioner maintenance.

If you haven’t taken care of it recently, it could be full of mud and yard waste. This buildup can limit your unit’s efficiency and cause it to malfunction. Or require replacement faster.

We advise having your air conditioning system professionally tuned-up once a year. Why? A clean unit can be more energy efficient, which could save you money on utility bills.

Routine AC maintenance also helps our technicians locate and handle minor issues before they develop into costly problems.

Related: How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Failing

Some of the work we complete consists of:

  • Viewing the blower, motor, drain line and coils
  • Watching 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. You just need about an hour to get the grime off your outdoor condenser unit, as well as several pieces on your indoor HVAC system.

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

Tips for Cleaning the Outside AC Unit

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

You’ll only need a few 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

Five Steps to Follow as You Clean the Outside Unit

1. Turn Off the Power

Stop the power to your air conditioner at the breaker box.

2. Clean the Outside

Take out rubbish from the system. This includes branches, bushes, weeds and grass.

Then use the vacuum to slowly clean the metallic fins. These components are also referred to as condenser coils and transfer heat away from your unit.

You need to be cautious with these delicate coils. Warped or crumpled fins can influence efficiency.

3. Fix Bent Fins

Use a butter knife to rearrange bent fins. You can also buy a fin comb from an appliance part website. A pro from Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. should take care of extensive damage.

4. Clean the Inside

After removing the fan, dig out leaves and other yard litter. Then clean the inside of the system with a wet rag.

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

5. Test Your Air Conditioner

It’s safe to restore power and turn your air conditioner back on. If it’s not operating properly, reach out to us a call at 918-682-8238.

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

Then, You Can 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 must be exchanged every several months, depending on the type you use.

Unsure when you last put in a new one? Take it out and angle it toward the light. If there’s no light visible, replace it.

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 flexible plastic tube. If it’s moldy, you can freshen it by flowing thinned bleach through the tube to flush the line. Or you can buy a new tube.

Wash 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 Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. can make your equipment more efficient and help it last longer. We also provide convenient service agreements, so you won’t forget to plan your annual tune-up!