Air Conditioner Outdoor Unit Maintenance

Air source heat pumps require free airflow to the indoor and outdoor heat exchange coils.

Air conditioner outdoor unit maintenance.

Four air conditioner preventative maintenance tasks that can keep the outdoor unit clean. Professional air conditioner maintenance you should have your air conditioner serviced regularly before the start of the warmer weather. On the exterior condenser compressor remove the fan cage. When cooling your house this unit rejects heat to the surrounding by blowing the fan over the condensing coils.

A professional will come out to inspect and service your ac. By hand or with a wet dry vacuum clean leaves and other debris from the interior. Properly cleaning your air conditioner outdoor unit extends its life and minimizes maintenance issues. In a typical air conditioner the condensing unit is usually located outside your house where the compressor fan and the condensing coils are located.

For best results replace the hose nozzle with a needle sprayer specifically designed for cleaning condenser coils. Air conditioner maintenance check the condenser. A clean air conditioner also cools the air more efficiently and can reduce energy consumption. Deep clean the coils periodically by washing them with a hose.

Trim back or clear the area of shrubs or flowers that can restrict airflow to the unit. If your furnace looks different from the one shown or you have a heat pump use the owner s manual to find your way around it. Air conditioner filters the most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clean coils are important for efficient heating and cooling.

The coils are deep cleaned to remove debris and contaminants and to help prevent mold and mildew growth. The air filter inside the indoor air handling unit ahu is removed and cleaned. That s about the minimum temperature at which you can test your air conditioner servicing to make sure it s working. This keeps things in running order and helps spot potential trouble.

Open the cover to expose the pump and coils and clean off dust by sucking it with a vacuum cleaner or blowing it off with a leaf blower. If you have a heat pump instead of a furnace the indoor unit will be in the air handler. Clogged dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce a system s efficiency significantly. The outdoor cabinet is inspected for airflow obstructions.

Using a screwdriver or wrench remove the fasteners and lift the cage or fan grill away from the top of the unit. Clean your outdoor unit on a day that s at least 60 degrees f. Check out our step by step guide for deep.