Air Conditioner Maintenance Guide

Proper air conditioner maintenance or heat pump system will ensure that the equipment continues to provide the cooling or heating needed especially during summer or winter.

Some of the steps that you can take are simple and do not require a service technician to do them. Equipping yourself with these simple technical knowledge will save you time and money in the long run.

Air Conditioner Maintenance - Check The Condenser

In a typical air conditioner, the condensing unit is usually located outside your house where the compressor, fan and the condensing coils are located. When cooling your house, this unit rejects heat to the surrounding by blowing the fan over the condensing coils. Make sure that there are no obstruction to the fan and air flow of the condenser.

A typical outdoor condensing mini-split unit that needs
cleaning to ensure efficiency of air conditioner unit.

Usually, you will find dried leaves, plastic bags and other unwanted materials stuck to the condenser especially if you have not been using it for a long time.

If necessary, use a brush to remove them from the coils and ensure that the air can blow unobstructed from the condenser.

You do not have to cover up the unit when not in used as these units are robust enough to stand the harsh outside temperature of the house. Just ensure that the unit that you purchase conforms to the safety standards such as UL or CE Mark.

Remember to disconnect the power supply to the unit before cleaning the condenser.

Remember, if you don't want to tackle your own maintenance, there are various contractors who will handle it for you but it will be more costly.

Air Conditioner Maintenance - Check & Clean Filters

Most indoor evaporator unit is fitted with removable filters that trapped dust to prevent dirt from clogging the coils of the evaporator. These filters are easily removed and wash with water and neutral soap to get rid of the dust. Rinse and dry before putting back to the unit. Do not use gasoline or chemical to clean the filter.

Do it at least once a month. Some units also come with electrostatic filters that act as a secondary filter system for the evaporator. Change them if they are dirty.

Plastic mesh filter can be taken out and wash to keep the air conditioner clean and efficient.

Air Conditioner Maintenance - Check & Clean Evaporator

If the coils of the indoor evaporator are dirty, use a vacuum cleaner or a wet cloth to clean them. Do it at least once a month or every 2 weeks depending on the frequency of use.

Keeping the evaporator clean will ensure that the cooling capacity of the air conditioner is not lost due to the dirt that obstruct the flow of air to the room.

Check Ductwork

If you are using a central air conditioning system, check the ductwork to ensure that the ducts are airtight by sealing loose or cracked joints using sealant. This will help to ensure the efficiency of the air conditioner. Clean and replace the filter if necessary. Ensure that the vents are not blocked by furniture in the house.

Remote Control

If your unit has a remote control, make sure that it is working by checking the display and using it to control the unit. If you are not using the controller for a long period, remove the batteries. Learning the functions of the electronic control will ensure that you are able to operate the air conditioner effectively.

Note that there are a few operating modes i.e. cooling, heating, fan or auto mode depending on the system that you purchased. Use of timer and other energy saving modes are recommended to save energy.

Power Up Unit

It is always a good idea to power up the unit and run the air conditioner at the end of Spring to ensure that it is still in working condition. Make sure that you are operating the right mode and temperature to get the desired cooling or heating effect.

Start & Stop Unit Operation

For a split system with remote control or wired control, always use the remote control or the wired panel to start or stop the air conditioner instead of turning on/off using the power supply switch to the air conditioner. This will help to preserve the life-cycle operation of the switch.

Related Links

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Air Conditioning Trouble Shooting Guide 2
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