Imagine your body is wrapped in a fuzzy, wool blanket on a sizzling summer day. The wool blanket prevents heat in your body from escaping, causing your body to overheat.But your air conditioner goes through this same struggle every year when it gets covered in leaves, dust and dirt. And it’s costing you money.Look at the outside unit on the left of this image from AHRI. Its job is to release heat the refrigerant absorbed from your indoor air.But if the outside unit’s condenser coils (what the refrigerant flows through) are covered in dirt, it can’t release the heat. Just like how your body couldn’t release the heat when wrapped in the wool blanket.So the air conditioner needs to run longer to cool your home. You spend more money. And the air conditioner risks overheating—leading to a breakdown on the hottest day of the year.So here’s how to prevent all that by cleaning the outside unit.Do this at least once a year, preferably during spring.Cleaning the air conditioner’s outside unit is just one of many tasks that need to be done to maintain your system’s energy efficiency.

Check out our maintenance checklist to see everything we do during a maintenance visit. This includes cleaning your outside unit, if you don’t have the time to do it yourself.Schedule a $88 air conditioner tune-up today.Did you find this article helpful? Sign up for our newsletter to get home how-to’s, money-saving tips and specials sent straight to your inbox.For more information on any of our HVAC products or services, contact us online.Edit ArticleHow to Service an Air Conditioner Three Methods:Clean the Air ConditionerCheck Air Conditioner FunctionFix Pooling Water IssuesCommunity Q&A Whether you’re starting your air conditioner for the first time this year, or a unit isn’t running properly and you need to service an air conditioner, following a few simple steps can save you time and money. While some service jobs should be left to a professional, there are several do-it-yourself fixes you can do to keep your air conditioner cooling all summer long. Make sure the unit is turned off either at the on/off switch or by shutting off the circuit breaker.

Check the small copper pipe connecting the unit to the house. Rake any leaves and debris away from the unit before you start to service an air conditioner. Take the cover off the unit, and locate the air conditioner coils (they look like a car radiator). Use a soft brush to brush any dirt and debris off the outside cover.water pump for ac unit Cover the motor and wiring with a plastic sheet.ac units for low income Hose down the fins, coils and inside of the unit.ac repair houston heights Check your owner’s manual. Replace the unit cover, and turn it on to make sure it runs properly. The air conditioner filter should also be replaced every few months. It is usually located near the return air duct by the furnace.

Start at the unit control or thermostat. Turn the unit on and make sure it kicks in and runs properly. If the unit doesn’t run, call a technician. Listen for any strange noises while the unit runs. Check the room temperature in each of the home’s rooms by carrying a hand held thermometer into the room. Make sure the temperature of the rooms agrees with the thermostat on your air conditioner unit as well. Look for water dripping or pooling anywhere by the air return or unit outside. Check for leaks in the tubing where the water is pooling. Find the drain where the water condensation should be draining into. Clean the drain of any debris if the water seems to be pooling on top of it. Pour water into the condensation drain pan and watch for the condensation pump to start working. The pump should activate and pump the water out and to the drain. If the pump doesn’t remove the water, the drain pan is probably overfilling and the pump will need to be replaced by a technician.

Install a Heat Pump View Costs in Your Area Install an A/C Unit Install a Radiant Heating System Install a Swamp Cooler Install Ducts & Vents Install an Electric Baseboard or Wall Heater Repair a Radiant Heating System Repair a Heat Pump Clean Ducts & Vents Repair an A/C Unit Repair an Electric Baseboard or Wall Heater Repair a Swamp Cooler Some service providers may recommend repairs and maintenance tasks that are not needed. A savvy consumer who has researched how an HVAC system works and is familiar with most common maintenance tasks will quickly know the difference between necessary tasks and add-on services that drain the wallet. If a heating or cooling problem occurs, appliance service manuals typically contain troubleshooting tips and other information that may be helpful in identifying or even resolving the problem without calling a repairman. Online HVAC guides may also be helpful to a consumer who wishes to become more familiar with how an HVAC system works and potential signs of disrepair.

One of the easiest maintenance tasks consumers can do themselves is maintaining the filters. Air filters should be inspected and cleaned once a month. This allows for regular monitoring to eventually determine when the filter needs to be replaced. Most filters can be changed every three months if no other problems exist. Maintaining clean and regularly changed filters will not only produce better air quality, but appliances will function more efficiently, which can save on heating and cooling costs. An air conditioner that does not seem to effectively cool a room may be hindered by a dirty evaporator coil. Simply removing the front panel of the unit, locating the coil and gently cleaning the coil with a dry cloth or small brush may remedy the issue. It is important to ensure that the coil is dry before proceeding. The condenser fan is another important HVAC element that must be maintained. Condenser fans that contain oil ports should be lubricated at least annually. The outside condenser should also be shielded from direct sunlight if possible.

Keeping vegetation at least two feet away from outdoor HVAC units will also promote higher performance and potentially lower energy bills due to higher efficiency. The further away vegetation is, the better an HVAC unit will operate. Routine maintenance involves replacing or cleaning the filters if so equipped, and keeping the outside air intake free of debris. After years of service the air exchanger will become crusted with grease and dirt that collects during condensation. Removing this accumulation will probably take solvents or degreasers and require opening up the cabinet and compartments. The coil is usually made of copper tubing with aluminum fins, but some manufacturers use aluminum tubing. Its purpose is to transfer heat as rapidly as possible. Pressure inside the coil can exceed 400 psi. during extremely warm weather conditions. The cleaner it is kept, the better it transfers heat. Rinsing with a garden hose occasionally when the unit is not running will help keep it operating efficiently.

After many years of use it may be necessary to put special chemicals on to clean it. The condenser fan moves air across the coil to increase the transfer of heat. It is critical to the system. Obstructing the flow of air will not only reduce efficiency, but can lead to compressor failure. Keep debris and objects away from the coil and fan to allow maximum air flow. Some condenser fan motors have sealed bearings, others need lubrication. Damage to the fan can occur if removed improperly. Have a qualified serviceman handle the lubricating if needed. Furnace mounted units can be by-pass, steam, mist, wick and powered. Some mount in the ductwork while others are attached to the plenums on the furnace. Whatever the model, mineral deposits from the water will reduce the effectiveness of the humidifier. Be sure to turn the water and humidistat off before servicing. Special chemicals can be used to clean mineral deposits, but one of the safest is vinegar. A 50% mixture of vinegar and water will usually dissolve or help clean away deposits.

If the humidifier has a drum with a belt, replacement of the belt at the beginning of the heating season can be the easiest fix if the water has a high mineral content. If the humidifier has screens or is the wick type, some corrosion can occur as well as build up Heat pumps and electric furnaces usually have steam humidifiers to increase output. They are line voltage powered and must be unplugged or disconnected before servicing to avoid injury. With the exception of some mist type humidifiers, all have a reservoir. Stagnant water sitting in the reservoir during the off season can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Turn the water off and clean the humidifier if possible when heating season has ended. Other than mineral deposits, the most common problem is sediment in the water supply. The float inlet valve has a tiny hole that easily clogs. The float is usually made of plastic, and if cracked will fill with water and sink. The valve will be stuck open and the reservoir will overflow.

Use caution when scraping deposits off the float. If the deposits cannot be removed, replace the float or it will sink and cause an overflow. Not obvious is the fact that they need maintenance routinely, just like any other machine. The filter, usually located behind the front grill, needs to be washed. The condenser coil at the back of the unit can accumulate a lot of debris, and might require a special chemical bath. All air conditioning systems, large or small, need good air flow across the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. Efficiency and performance drop rapidly as air flow decreases. Lose enough air flow and the unit will burn out. Rodents can nest inside when not in use, and can foul up the unit in many ways. Wasps and hornets, as well as the honey bee find finned coils to be comfortable nesting places. Nests and dead insects can ruin the air conditioner. When signs of serious trouble arise, it is best to call a professional HVAC technician immediately. Waiting can allow the problem to worsen, which can lead to a higher repair bill.