uneven temperatures in your home

Your air conditioning unit depends on proper maintenance to keep it operating efficiently, but not all maintenance tasks need to be performed by a professional. You'll need a professional to check the refrigerant levels or for repairing faulty parts, but you can save money on the service charges by cleaning the unit yourself. 

If you have central air conditioning or a heat pump, the condenser of the unit is located outside the home and can get clogged with dirt and debris during the fall and winter. As the unit draws in air from the outside it can get clogged with airborne objects like dandelion seeds, leaves and other plant debris. It may also attract mice and small rodents looking for a nesting site for the winter. Removing the debris and cleaning the unit will improve the efficiency of your air conditioner. Here's how to clean the outside unit.

1. Choose a day when the temperature outside is warm enough so that you can turn the unit on to test it after you finish cleaning. Generally, this means temperatures in the upper 60s or higher. This also allows the condenser parts to dry quickly after you have cleaned them.
2. Turn off you air conditioner and locate the main electrical supply and turn that off, too. The main electrical supply is typically located inside a metal box near your outside air conditioning unit. You may find an on/off switch, a breaker arm, or a pull-out plug to disconnect the power supply, depending on your specific air conditioning unit. If you do not have a box near the unit, locate the main electrical supply in your home's circuit box and turn it to the off position.
3. Unscrew and lift off the box encasing the metal fins. If you are unsure of the location of the fins, check the diagram in your owner's manual.
4. Vacuum the metal fins inside the condenser with the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. These fins are made of thin metal that can be bent or damaged easily. Use care not to damage or bend the fins.
5. Check that the fins are in good condition and are not warped or bent. If you discover bent fins, use a fin comb to straighten them. You can purchase a fin comb at your local hardware or appliance parts store. If you do not have a fin comb, you can straighten the fins by gently bending them back into shape with a flat, blunt object, such as a butter knife. Severely bent or damaged fins require the services of a HVAC contractor.
6. Hose down the fins with a garden hose to remove any remaining debris.
7. Locate the fan inside the unit. Unscrew the fan and pull it out to the length of the wires so you can vacuum the inside of the condenser. You do not need to disconnect the wires, but you may want a helper to hold the fan for you as you vacuum the inside. You may find leaves or other material where mice have bedded down for the winter inside the unit. Reposition the fan in place and screw it in to secure it when you are finished.
8. Look for port holes on the motor to lubricate it. Not all units have port holes. If you cannot find them, refer to your user's manual. Place several drops of electric motor oil in each port. This lubricates the motor so all parts work smoothly.
9. Turn the power to the unit back on and set your household thermostat to cool.
10. Let the unit run for a few minutes and check the two hoses that run from the outside condenser to the inside unit. They are typically located below or beside the condenser. One hose is bare metal while the second hose has an insulated casing on it. The un-insulated hose should feel warm and the insulated hose should feel cool. This indicates that your air conditioning unit is working and cooling the air properly.

Cleaning the condenser on your air conditioning unit will improve the airflow and efficiency of the unit, making your family feel more comfortable and saving you money on energy costs, too. If you have further questions about ways to improve the efficiency of your air conditioning unit, contact local air conditioning services.