ASA HVAC Commercial or Residential

05/27/2026

How to Clean AC Coils
The summer heat is hard on an air conditioning system. This year, stop the problems before they start by cleaning your coils and taking other small precautions to set your system up for success and lower your utility bills.

While most air conditioner repairs are best left to a professional, there are several things you can do to boost your system’s performance and lower your utility bill. From changing your filters and cleaning your coils to being a little more mindful when landscaping, you can make a big difference with minimal effort. When you search “how to clean AC coils” online, you’ll likely be overwhelmed with the options and industry terms thrown around in the countless tutorials. This is because air conditioning systems are fairly complex machines, with most having both an inside and outside unit that harmoniously work together to cool your home. Both units have coils, so it is important to start by identifying what you will actually be cleaning.

Prep and Clean the Coils
Before we get started, it's important to cut the power to your unit to avoid electric shock to you or damage to the unit. We’re going to focus on your outside unit’s coils. More specifically, we’re going to clean the fins, which run along the outside of the unit. Oftentimes, these fins get dented from years of wear and tear, making it hard for air to pass through them. If you notice that your unit’s fins are dented and bent, buy an AC fin tool at the hardware store and use it to straighten the fins (Image 1). Once you’ve straightened the fins, use a vacuum to remove any debris (Image 2). Now that the surface is clean and any debris within the fins has been cleared, you can use a foaming AC coil cleaner to coat the entire surface of the fins (Image 3). This cleaner will soak into the coil and begin to break free any remaining debris. Our cleaner featured a scrubber on its cap, but you could also use a stiff brush to further clean between the fins (Image 4). Though most of these foaming cleaners are self-rinsing, using a hose to rinse the area will help to wash away dirt and other buildup.

05/19/2026

INSIDE CLEAN UP

On the inside blower/furnace unit, find the evaporator coil door. You may need to remove some foil duct tape and take out a few screws or bolts. Inside, use a soft brush to dust off the coil, then spray the coil with commercially-available, no-rinse coil cleaner (available at home improvement stores). The spray will foam up and then drip into the drain pan. Clean out the drain pan with soap, hot water and a little bleach. Then, pour a cup of 50 percent bleach/50 percent water down the drain. To keep the drain clear longer-term, place a commercially available drain pan tablet in the pan. This will inhibit future algae growth.

If the bleach solution drains easily, skip the next step. If not, move on to Clean the Evaporator Drain. Replace the evaporator coil door, and use foil duct tape to reseal, if necessary.

1. Clean the Evaporator Drain

Warm, humid air from your home’s interior is blown through the evaporator coil on the interior. The cold coil absorbs heat from the air, cooling it, before the air is circulated back into your home. The humidity in the air condenses on the cool surface of the evaporator coil as liquid water, dripping into a pan below. From the pan, the water flows into a drain tube which is typically routed into a basement floor drain, utility sink or outside.

2.Change the Blower Filter
The filter in your HVAC system should be changed at least twice a year — once just before the heating season begins and once before the cooling season begins. If you live in a particularly dusty area, you may want to change it more often. Always replace the filter with a new filter that has the same airflow rating. "Be careful with 'air purifying' or HEPA filters," Moody cautions, "because they can dramatically reduce airflow in your system. That can cause the indoor coil to freeze because of the reduced airflow."
3.Turn the Power Back On
While these steps will help to keep your AC system in top shape, be aware that there are maintenance items that only a trained HVAC technician will be able to do. For example, a slow refrigerant leak in your AC system can lead to expensive compressor failure, but a homeowner doesn’t have the tools or skills necessary to check refrigerant levels. Also, clean ducts and proper airflow are essential to a well-functioning system, but homeowners lack the necessary equipment for the job. The bottom line? While some AC maintenance can be done by a savvy homeowner, it’s still necessary to have an expert technician check the system periodically. Dr. Kirby suggests a service in the spring before the cooling season and then again in the fall before the heating season.

05/14/2026

Easy Steps to Keep Your Air-Conditioning Unit Running Smoothly

Regular cleaning and maintenance will save you money and extend the life of your heat pump or HVAC
Maintain your air-conditioner, and you’ll not only save money on energy, but you’ll also extend its lifespan, saving money on costly early.

1. Shut Off the Power

Due to the dangers of working around electricity and the air-conditioner’s moving parts, it’s essential to completely turn off power to the unit. On the exterior condenser/compressor, look for an exterior shut-off box near the unit (Image 1). Also, turn the power off at the breaker box located inside

2. Remove Debris

On the exterior condenser/compressor, remove the fan cage. Using a screwdriver or wrench, remove the fasteners, and lift the cage or fan grill away from the top of the unit. By hand, or with a wet/dry vacuum, clean leaves and other debris from the interior.

3. Clean the Fins

Remove the outer covers and use the brush attachment on a powerful shop vacuum to remove all outside dirt. Then, using a gentle stream from a garden hose, spray through the fins from the inside out to remove any built-up dirt or debris from between them (Image 1). Never use a pressure washer, since the pressure can damage the fins.

4. Straighten the Fins + Clean the Area

Since any reduction in air-flow through the fins can reduce efficiency, carefully straighten bent fins using a butter knife or commercially available fin-straightening tool. Be gentle so that the tubing embedded within the fins is not damaged.

5. Clean Area Around the Unit

Once finished with the cleaning, replace the fan cage. Rake back leaves and debris outside the condenser, and cut back branches and vegetation at least two feet in all directions to ensure proper airflow around the unit. During winter months when the condenser is not in use, it’s good to cover the top of the unit with a piece of plywood or plastic to keep debris from falling in. However, don’t completely cover the unit’s sides, since moisture can build up inside and cause corrosion. Also, a completely covered unit encourages vermin to build nests inside. Remove any cover when the unit is operating.

6. Level the Unit

Over time, the pad where the condenser unit sits can begin to tip as the soil settles beneath it. An out-of-level condenser unit can cause the compressor within to fail early. Check to see that the condenser is level, and use rot-resistant shims to bring it back to level. Service Experts’ Moody adds, "If you have a heat pump system, it’s okay for the pad to be slightly sloped away from the home’s foundation to allow for defrost run-off during the winter."

Now it’s time to check
Out things inside…. Look for our next post.

04/30/2026

Perform Preventive Maintenance Before Summer

You know that period of mild temperatures in the spring when you don’t have to heat your house or cool it? That is over. Now’s when you want to perform your preventive air conditioner maintenance.

Waiting until the middle of summer will result in long wait times, leaving you stranded in the heat without air conditioning. Plus, many service companies hike prices during peak season, leaving you with a sizable repair bill.

Whether you know of a potential problem or you just haven’t had your unit serviced in a while, take time before the summer arrives to get your HVAC unit working its best.

04/19/2026

Florida heat is here… is your AC ready? ☀️❄️

As temperatures start climbing, your system is about to work overtime. The last thing you want is your AC going out on the hottest day of the year.

Now’s the time to stay ahead of it:

• Schedule a quick tune-up
• Replace your air filter
• Make sure your thermostat is working properly
• Catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs

A well-maintained system runs cooler, lasts longer, and keeps your energy bills under control.

If your AC isn’t keeping up or you just want peace of mind before summer hits full force, give us a call. We’ll make sure you’re ready.

Stay cool, Florida. We’ve got you covered. 💪❄️

02/28/2026

“Your AC right now: ‘I’ve been resting.’
Your AC next month: ‘Why didn’t you call them sooner?’”

02/12/2026

02/04/2026

The Ideal Heat Temperature for Your House in the Winter
Both experts agree that 68°F is generally the most comfortable daytime temperature for homes in the winter. This thermostat setting will keep you and others in your home comfortable, while keeping your heating costs in check. If this temperature feels too cold for you, Brad Roberson, president of Aire Serv, recommends cautiously adjusting it before cranking up the heat.

01/31/2026

It’s COLD! Need heat, give ASA a call and get warm again..

01/25/2026

This is next level crazy- on Amazon, pre loved (used) paint- and the price $ 4,750 ‼️‼️