As the weather is getting hotter, it is time to think about maintaining the air-conditioning unit so it functions properly over the year.
It isn’t safe to carry out the maintenance personally so a professional service person should be called. However, there are a few checks that can be done to make sure they are running efficiently. These include: clearing the evaporator, maintaining the condenser and handling the refrigerant.
Clearing the Evaporator
In some units the evaporator is not accessible and it will not be possible to clear it without professional help. However, if it is accessible then the first step is to locate the evaporator by removing any insulation wrapped around the plenum. Once this is done, an access plate will be uncovered which needs to be unscrewed. Inside will be the evaporator unit which, to clean the underside, needs to be cleaned with a stiff brush. Just be careful of any movements so not to damage the pipes. Next the tray underneath the unit needs to be cleaned. There is a hole in the tray which can get blocked in very humid weather so pour a tablespoon of household bleach into it.
Maintaining the Condenser
In most air-conditioning units the condenser is located on the outside of the building and tends to gather dirt and dust. They are easy to clean with a commercial coil cleaner which is on sale at most fridge retailers. The fins of the condenser need to be cleaned with a soft brush as they are prone to damage. Do not use water as this can turn any dirt into mud and it will get stuck between the fins. During the winter the condenser unit should be protected to stop blockage and ice damage.
Handling the Refrigerant
In most air conditioning units the refrigerant used is Freon and if this is too low or too high then there is a possibility that no cooling will happen. If there is a suspected Freon problem a specialist must be called to sort the refrigerant lines.
What can be done without professional help is checking the lines running from the condenser to the evaporator. If the insulation is worn this needs to be replaced with the same type as it will slow down the efficiency of the air-conditioning unit.
As the weather is getting hotter, it is time to think about maintaining the air-conditioning unit so it functions properly over the year.
It isn’t safe to carry out the maintenance personally so a professional service person should be called. However, there are a few checks that can be done to make sure they are running efficiently. These include: clearing the evaporator, maintaining the condenser and handling the refrigerant.
Clearing the Evaporator
In some units the evaporator is not accessible and it will not be possible to clear it without professional help. However, if it is accessible then the first step is to locate the evaporator by removing any insulation wrapped around the plenum. Once this is done, an access plate will be uncovered which needs to be unscrewed. Inside will be the evaporator unit which, to clean the underside, needs to be cleaned with a stiff brush. Just be careful of any movements so not to damage the pipes. Next the tray underneath the unit needs to be cleaned. There is a hole in the tray which can get blocked in very humid weather so pour a tablespoon of household bleach into it.
Maintaining the Condenser
In most air-conditioning units the condenser is located on the outside of the building and tends to gather dirt and dust. They are easy to clean with a commercial coil cleaner which is on sale at most fridge retailers. The fins of the condenser need to be cleaned with a soft brush as they are prone to damage. Do not use water as this can turn any dirt into mud and it will get stuck between the fins. During the winter the condenser unit should be protected to stop blockage and ice damage.
Handling the Refrigerant
In most air conditioning units the refrigerant used is Freon and if this is too low or too high then there is a possibility that no cooling will happen. If there is a suspected Freon problem a specialist must be called to sort the refrigerant lines.
What can be done without professional help is checking the lines running from the condenser to the evaporator. If the insulation is worn this needs to be replaced with the same type as it will slow down the efficiency of the air-conditioning unit.