How to Service Central AC
- 1). Turn off the power to the AC unit. To ensure your safety, it is important to turn off the power to the AC unit prior to servicing your unit. Most central AC units have a 240-volt shutoff switch inside of a shutoff box that is located near your outdoor AC unit. To turn off your AC unit, switch the 240-volt switch to off.
- 2). Remove the central AC unit case. Your outdoor central AC unit should have a plastic or metal casing covering it. Remove the casing and then, using a shop vacuum, carefully vacuum the air conditioning unit fins. Make sure to remove any weeds, sticks or other debris that is attached to the fins.
- 3). Replace the filter. The indoor unit of your central AC unit should have a furnace filter. Remove the furnace filter from your indoor unit and replace it with a new filter. It is important to make sure that the power is off on your indoor unit before removing the filter. The new filter will help keep the air in your AC system clean.
- 4). Vacuum the blower compartment. Open the blower compartment on your indoor unit and then use your shop vacuum to clean up any dust that has accumulated in that area. This will also help keep the air in your AC system clean.
- 5). Clean the condensation drain. If your condensation drain is clogged, you will need to clean it with a bleach solution. Fill a jar with a solution that is 1 part bleach and 16 parts water and then pour the solution into the condensation drain tube using a funnel. This will clear the drain and help your AC system run as efficiently as possible.