Your air conditioner is probably the most complex piece of machinery you own, next to your vehicle. Despite all it high-tech functions, it responds in dramatic style to small but pesky influences: dust and dirt.

In fact, a big buildup of dust and dirt can cause your air conditioner to stage a form of revolt by shutting down. Many Las Vegas home maintenance tasks invariably come down to cleaning and this one is no different. Attack dirt in two ways to keep your air conditioner running smoothly this summer:

Clean the compressor, the “outdoor portion” of your air conditioner

Grab the owner's manual for your air conditioner so you can refer to it for guidance. Try not to judge this Las Vegas home maintenance task by the number of steps that follow; they're actually quite simple.

• Turn off the power to your air conditioner. Don't take chances by just turning off the thermostat.

• Remove any debris that may have sidled up to your air conditioner, including clumps of dirt, leaves and branches. Create a 2-foot “clear zone” on all sides of the compressor and a 4-foot zone above it by cutting back any hanging branches. A clear zone will encourage air flow.

• Use a high-powered vacuum and soft brush attachment to vacuum the exterior fins. The brush is an important tool because it will help prevent the fins from becoming bent while you work. (If you unwittingly bend a fin, you can straighten it out quickly with the aid of a “fin comb,” sold at home improvement stores, or a putty knife.)

• Unscrew the top grille, lift up the fan and set it on the ground gently, without placing pressure on the attached electrical wires.

• Look down into the compressor and remove any clumps of dirt, leaves and other debris that may have accumulated inside.

• Wipe the interior of the compressor with a damp rag.

• Use a hose – not a pressure or power washer – to spray the fins with a low to moderate stream of water. Direct the spray from the inside out at a 45-degree angle. Then reinstall the fan.

• Check the fan motor (and your owner's manual) for lubrication ports. If your unit has them, add several drops of electric motor oil to each of the ports.

• Restore power to the condenser.

Check your filter – and replace it, if necessary – on the “indoor portion” of your air conditioner

This is the easier portion of this Las Vegas home maintenance task – and one you should perform every month:

• Slide the air filter out of the housing unit.

• It should be evident if the filter is dirty; clumps of dust and dirt will be present on the filter and maybe even on the floor, around the unit. Still, if you're unsure, hold the filter up to a light. If you cannot see through it, it's time for a new filter.

• Slide a new filter into the housing unit, following the arrows on the filter for guidance. A clean filter will help promote good air flow and help ensure your air conditioner runs smoothly and efficiently.

  When you're finished with this Las Vegas home maintenance task, more cannot be far behind – at least if you follow a handy guide from First Quality Roofing & Insulation. Just as we stay on top of roof repairs, our guide will help keep you on top of important home maintenance tasks that will keep your home in peak condition.