Learning to maintain your air conditioner, will not only prolong the lifespan of your unit but will also save you a ton of money on the price you pay for the energy and also the money you may spend on the untimely replacement of your unit. Besides this, looking after your AC is imperative for comfort, energy efficiency, and the overall health of the user and function of the unit.
In addition, an air conditioner that runs well eradicates excess moisture in the air, creating high comfort levels. A filthy air conditioning system or one that doesn’t operate optimally can cause microorganisms to grow. Mold can make allergies and people who suffer from asthma become worse.
In this article, we share four tips you can use to maintain the well-being of your system. The most suitable time to make use of these tips is just before the winter season starts. The instructions below apply to a heat pump unit or a whole-home air conditioning unit.
Turn the power completely off
Working with electricity and movable parts of the air conditioner unit can be dangerous, it becomes critical therefore to turn the power unit off totally. On the external compressor/condenser, try and find an external shut-off box near the unit. Make sure you switch the power off at the breaker box positioned inside the unit to.
Ensure debris is removed
Remove the fan cage, located on the external compressor/condenser. Use a wrench or screwdriver to uninstall the fasteners and then remove the fan grill or cage away from the upper part of the unit. Use your hand or damp cloth to wipe the vacuum. Remove leaves that have built up, and other debris frown the inside.
Make sure the fins are cleaned
Detach the outer covers and utilize the brush attachment from a strong vacuum store, use it to take off all the dirt on the outside. Once you’ve completed that, use a low-pressure stream of water from your garden hose, distribute the spray of water throughout the fins from within to pull out any dirt build-up or any debris that’s located between the fins. Whatever you, don’t use a pressure cleaner because that can cause the fins to tear.
Ensure the area around the unit is clean
After cleaning the actual unit, you need to replace the fan cage. Scrape back debris and leaves located outside the condenser and also cut out any vegetation and branches to maintain good airflow in and around the unit. In the winter season when the unit is not in use, it’s a good idea to cover the unit top with plastic or a piece of plywood to prevent debris from getting inside the unit. But, don’t cover the unit’s sides completely, to prevent moisture from building up within which can cause corrosion. Additionally, a unit that is completely covered can encourage vermin to establish its nests inside, so don’t place any covering on the unit when the unit is in operation.
Final words
Make sure the fins and the area around it is clean, this is because the restriction of airflow through the fins can cause a drop in efficiency, so straighten the fins that are bent with a butter knife or a straightening tool available commercially. Ensure that you are gentle to prevent the tubing implanted inside is not damaged.
Just like with your other home accessories, the more you keep them clean the longer they usually last. They can be kept in a good running condition and problems can be addressed before they become huge or uncontrollable or expensive.
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