Air Conditioner Maintenance

Very often, people are careless about using modern climate control equipment. After installing an air conditioner, many practically do not take care of it at all, that is, they use it until the first breakdown. Of course, some devices can work in this mode for about 5 years, but the air conditioner will fail in 2-3 years. This is typical for both budget models and expensive ones. Therefore, those who want their climate control equipment to serve for a long time should know the basic rules for caring for air conditioners.

It is no secret that during operation any split system pumps impressive volumes of dirty air. For this reason, it requires regular cleaning. The external units of the device are constantly in contact with condensed moisture, which means that here too, mandatory cleaning is indispensable.

For the equipment to work properly and as long as possible, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive cleaning of the air conditioner units. Most often, this procedure is performed twice a year: in spring and autumn. Thanks to proper care, the resource of the split system increases to 10 years.

Table of Contents

Cleaning filters and heat exchanger

The indoor unit filter is a fine mesh. It is located right behind the front panel, through which air enters. This is where it is cleaned of dust, wool, and fluff. For the device to work properly, you need to wash the filter with warm water 2 times a month. If a lot of dirt is found during washing, the procedure can be repeated more often.

If you are lazy and do not take care of the filter, the following problems may occur:

decreased radiator airflow;
insufficient cooling of the air in the room;
freezing of air conditioner pipes;
clogging of the drainage system;
increased amount of dirt on the radiator;
proliferation of bacteria.

In the ideal case of air conditioner maintenance, all air filters should be cleaned once a week. Since they operate with an electrostatic effect, too much dust accumulates here. You won’t need to call a technician to perform this procedure.

The heat exchanger should be cleaned at least once a year. To do this, first open and remove the front grille. Then, using a special brush or vacuum cleaner, clean the fins of the heat exchanger. Be careful, because if you handle it carelessly, you can get hurt or damage the device.

Freon leak control

Freon leaks constantly occur in the air conditioner. Even if the installation is done at the highest level, this still cannot be avoided. According to accepted standards, a freon leak of 6-8% per year is allowed. Refilling should be done at least once every 2 years, otherwise a critical drop in the refrigerant level will occur.

Freon is necessary for cooling the device. If its quantity falls below the required level, the compressor will overheat and jam. The cost of its replacement is half the cost of the entire air conditioner, so it is clear: the habit of regularly maintaining the equipment can save a lot. If you notice the formation of an ice crust on the heat exchangers in the indoor unit or the air conditioner does not cool the room sufficiently, turn off the device and contact a specialist.

Seasonal preparation of the device

For trouble-free operation of the air conditioner, it is recommended to clean the filters, and heat exchanger of the internal and external units, and check the operation of all modes in the spring before starting to operate the equipment. Of course, it is best to invite a specialist to perform such work, because full technical maintenance is not limited to cleaning only, but also lubrication of rubbing elements, measuring the level of freon, inspecting the condition of the unit mounts, and other important work.

By following simple recommendations for air conditioner maintenance, you will extend the life of the device to 10 or even 12 years. If you encounter any difficulties or unexpected problems, be sure to contact the service department.

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