AC and Heat Pump Tune-Ups in Gresham

What a tune-up covers

• Wash the outdoor coil and clear fir needles, moss and leaves from the fins
• Test the capacitor and check the contactor for burn marks
• Take pressure readings on the refrigerant and note the temperature drop over the coil
• Flush the condensate drain and check any pump
• Tighten wiring and look over the disconnect
• Check the filter, blower wheel and thermostat settings

Why Gresham systems get dirty

The wet winters here are hard on outdoor units. Moss and algae grow on cabinets and coils that sit in the shade, and Douglas fir needles pile up inside the top grille. In early summer, cottonwood fluff can mat across the fins.

Heat pumps need a check twice a year, since they run in both seasons. Fall is a good time, before the first cold east wind.

If you live near the fields out toward Boring, dust from tilling and mowing ends up in the coil too.

Questions about AC Tune-Ups & Maintenance in Gresham

How often should I have my AC checked?

Once a year for a cooling-only AC, ideally in spring. A heat pump runs year-round, so spring and fall visits make sense.

Can I clean the outdoor coil myself?

You can rinse it gently with a garden hose from the inside out after shutting off power at the disconnect. Do not use a pressure washer, because it folds the fins flat.

How often should I change the filter?

Every one to three months during heavy use, and more often during wildfire smoke season or if you have pets.