An air conditioner's filters, coils, and fins require frequent maintenance for the machine to operate effectively and successfully throughout its years of support. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. Check out our Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Cooling for more ways to help improve your comfort and ease and the effectiveness of your air conditioner.
Air Conditioner Filters
The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block regular airflow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly. With regular airflow obstructed, air flow that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil's heat-absorbing capacity. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
For central air conditioners, filters are generally located somewhere along the return duct's length. Common filter locations are in walls, ceilings, furnaces, or in the air conditioner itself. Room air conditioners have a filter mounted in the grill that faces into the room.
Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your air conditioning system's filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioning equipment is in frequent use, is put through dusty circumstances, or you possess fur-bearing pets inside your home.
Air Conditioner Coils
The air conditioner's evaporator coil and condenser coil accumulate dirt over their months and years of service. A clean filtration inhibits the evaporator coil from soiling quickly. With time, even so, the evaporator coil will even now accumulate dirt. This dirt minimizes airflow and insulates the coil, reducing its capability to absorb heat. In order to avoid this problem, verify your evaporator coil yearly and tidy it as necessary.
Outdoor condenser coils may also become very filthy if the outdoor environment is normally dusty or when there is foliage close by. You may easily start to see the condenser coil and find if dirt is certainly collecting on its fins.
You should minimize dirt and particles near to the condenser unit. Your dryer vents, dropping leaves, and lawn mower are potential resources of dirt and particles. Cleaning the region around the coil, taking away any particles, and trimming foliage again at least 2 toes (0.6 meters) enable satisfactory airflow around the condenser.
Coil Fins
The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are often bent and will block airflow through the coil. Air-con wholesalers sell an instrument named a "fin comb" which will comb these fins back to virtually original condition.
Condensate Drains
Once in a while pass a stiff wire through the unit's drain channels. Clogged drain stations prevent a product from lowering humidity, and the resulting surplus moisture may discolor surfaces or carpet.
Window Seals for Place Air Conditioners
At the commence of each cooling time, inspect the seal between your air conditioning equipment and the window frame to make sure it makes connection with the unit's steel case. Moisture may damage this seal, enabling cool air to flee from your house.
Preparing for Winter
In the winter, either cover your space air conditioner or remove and store it. Covering the outdoor unit of a central air conditioner will protect the unit from winter weather and debris.
Hiring a Professional
When your air conditioner needs more than regular maintenance, hire a professional service technician. A well-trained technician will find and fix complications in your air conditioning system.