Routine maintenance and care can significantly enhance your air conditioner's smooth and efficient operation. Maintaining a calm and pleasant house throughout the summer is crucial. Make sure your air conditioner is in good working order. Here are some ideas for air conditioning maintenance services to help you get the most out of it and save energy costs.
The initial cleaning steps are turning off the electricity, turning off the circuit breaker, and unplugging the air conditioner. Your condenser unit, which should have a 240-volt disconnect box, can also be unplugged. After that, allow your system to cool. You risk receiving an electric shock if you contact your unit while it is hot.
After cooling down, begin removing debris from the device. After opening the outdoor unit, use a wet or dry vacuum or your hands to clean the condenser's floor. The thin metal slats on the outside unit and condenser fins should be cleared of leaves and other debris.
The readily bent aluminium fins might obstruct airflow via the evaporator and condenser coils. Air conditioning wholesalers sell a fin comb, a tool that can back these fins into almost their former state.
The air is cooled by the tiny fins on the outside unit. Bending these fins reduces airflow, which increases the effort required of your AC. A fin comb can be used to straighten small bends but call a qualified specialist if significant damage is caused.
Replace the fan cage after the cleaning is complete. To guarantee adequate airflow around the unit, clean leaves and other debris outside the condenser and trim branches and plants at least two feet in all directions. During the winter months, when it is not in use, place a piece of plywood or plastic over the top of the condenser to prevent debris from falling in.
Don't cover the unit's sides, though, as this could lead to internal condensation and rust. Furthermore, rodents are encouraged to construct nests inside a fully covered unit. Take off any covers while the device is running.
Condenser Unit Level
Your home air conditioning unit should be placed on flat ground for best results. The device will become worn if the fan motor accelerates and the refrigerant doesn't flow freely since it isn't on balanced ground. Additionally, the unit may shake excessively, which could cause a refrigerant leak or increase the strain on specific parts. Use a level tool to determine if your AC unit is unbalanced or off-balance. If so, level it using one of the following techniques.
Gravel: Use jacks to raise the concrete slab under your unit, then place gravel underneath the sinking section.
Legs: To make the system more level, you can move the legs that support some units. To tighten the screws and make any necessary adjustments, loosen the legs using a screwdriver.
Wood: Keep a piece of wood under the sinking area of the unit and ask a buddy to assist you in lifting it. It will only last a while, but it will take time to locate a technician.
The air conditioner's evaporator and condenser coils collect dirt for months and years. A clean filter avoids the quick soiling of the evaporator coil. However, the evaporator coil will eventually continue to collect dirt.
The coil becomes less insulated and has less airflow, which lowers its capacity to absorb heat. Check and clean the evaporator coil yearly to control this problem. In addition, dusty outside conditions can cause outdoor condenser coils to become highly unclean.
Inspecting the condenser coil and checking for dirt building up on its fins is easy. Debris and dirt should be kept to a minimum close to the condenser unit. The lawnmower, dryer vents, and falling leaves are all possible sources of dirt and debris. To ensure sufficient airflow around the condenser, clean the area covering the coil, clear away trash, and cut any leafage at least two feet.
The inside evaporator coil is forced with warm, humid air from the interior. The cold coil cools the air, removing heat before recirculating it within your house. The air's humidity condenses as liquid water on the evaporator coil's calm surface and leaks into a pan underneath.
Water runs from the pan into a drain tube, usually channelled outside, into a utility sink or a basement floor drain. Unplug the drain if it is either not flowing at all or is running extremely slowly. Over time, fungus and algae can accumulate and plug the drain.
Clogged gutters may stop the system from cooling to prevent flooding or damage caused by overflowing onto the floor. Locate the drain pipe that exits the evaporator coil enclosure first. Proceed to the point where it empties.
The pipe usually drains outside next to the condenser unit. However, it can also empty down an outside wall in the case of attic units, into a utility sink, or a basement floor drain.
Once found, clean the drain with a wet or dry vacuum. Removing it from the damp-dry vacuum is advisable to avoid damaging the paper filter. Attach the damp or dry vacuum hose to the drain line's terminus.
You can wrap a rag around the opening or use duct tape. After two to three minutes of operation, turn off the pump.
Your AC’s filter must be changed at least twice a year, right before the heating and cooling seasons. If you live in an incredibly dusty location, change it more frequently. A fresh filter with the same airflow rating should always be used to replace the old one.
Avoid using air purifying filters because they can significantly limit airflow in your system. The decreased airflow may result in the indoor coil freezing. The filter enclosure is where the vast fresh air return duct enters the inside AC unit.
To open the entrance to the filter enclosure, you should use a screwdriver to turn the lock. After installing the new filter, ensure the unit's indicators and the filter's air-flow direction arrows line up. Shut the door and fasten it.
While following these guidelines can help maintain your AC system in the best possible condition, some maintenance tasks are best left to a qualified professional. For instance, a slow refrigerant leak in your air conditioning system might result in costly compressor failure; however, home-owners lack the equipment and knowledge required to check the refrigerant levels. A well-operating system also requires clean ducts and adequate ventilation, but householders need more tools to do the task.
Although a knowledgeable home-owner may perform some AC maintenance independently, periodic system checks by a qualified professional are still required. London Aircon Company advises performing a service in the fall before the heating season and in the spring before the cooling season.
Although turning the thermostat down to extremely high temperatures on a hot day may be tempting, there are more effective methods of cooling your house. When you're at home, set your thermostat to a comfortable 72–75°F; set it a little higher when you're gone. Energy use can rise with each degree you lower the thermostat.
Like any machine, the AC will wear down faster if operated constantly; thus, it needs a break. Ensure the air conditioning is off while leaving the room or not using it. You can use the programmed on/off mode some air conditioners have to ensure the unit gets adequate sleep.
Furthermore, it is advisable to install a voltage stabiliser in places with inconsistent power supplies or fluctuations in power to safeguard the AC from low voltages and power surges.
Your air conditioning system will function best when exceeding the air circulation threshold. On the other hand, if the air filters are dirty and clogged, overall efficiency will significantly decrease. Dusty filters result in lower air quality in your home and less circulation, which forces the system to run harder and longer.
If this is the case, the filters must be modified. For maximum cooling efficiency, it is generally advised that the filters be cleaned or replaced every three months.
Cold air can flow outdoors when you use your air conditioner, leaving windows and doors open even slightly. Over time, this can harm the system's performance. Ensure all doors and windows are securely closed for the best possible cooling.
Even a scorching outdoor temperature can significantly impact the effectiveness of your outdoor unit in cooling your house. Install shade over the device to help prevent temperature and lower the risk of damage. But watch out for the shade that doesn't obstruct ventilation.
Clear away dirt to keep the outside unit of your air conditioning system as clean as possible for the best efficiency. Be sure you know how to clean the condenser coil before you start, as it can be difficult and time-consuming. If you need more clarification, you can quickly get your air conditioner cleaned by calling an air conditioner service specialist.
Cleaning and clearing your vents regularly is also essential to avoid dust accumulation. Your system may have to work harder to clear clogged ducts, increasing electricity costs.
One of the main reasons for your AC system's decreased effectiveness is the frequency of leaks in your home. Your electricity bill will increase as the system has to work harder because leaky ducts allow the cool air to leave.
One essential part of your air conditioning system is the condensate drain. During operation, its primary purpose is to eliminate any stored moisture. A clogged condensate drain may hamper this procedure, causing water to build up around the AC unit. If you notice this problem, you are advised to contact a licensed AC professional for air conditioning in London.
One of the most crucial cooling AC recommendations is to ensure the cooling AC device is the right size for your room—neither too little nor too large. Your monthly power bill will rise significantly if your room's air conditioner is too small. It won't work correctly and will run for extended periods.
Check the insulation surrounding the copper pipes regularly to ensure your air conditioner operates efficiently. This foam rubber material, usually black or white, insulates the refrigerant lines between the indoor and outdoor units. If you see any indications of weather-related damage, insect damage, or insulation loss, contact a certified specialist for repair.
Your AC benefits from routine expert maintenance, as does your car. To guarantee optimal operation and avoid any issues, it is ideal to have a skilled expert assess and service your system at least once a year before the start of summer. You can contact our London Aircon Company experts for air conditioning maintenance in London. Scheduling these services may result in small service fees; doing so will help your air conditioner last longer and save you money on future costly repairs and electricity costs.