Cleaning your home air conditioner

Air conditioners have recently become the same familiar household appliances as a TV or refrigerator. Air conditioning becomes a real salvation in an exhaustingly hot summer, in addition, many devices are able to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room during the cool season, when it is cold outside, and the heating season has not yet begun. But in order for the equipment to cope perfectly with its tasks, it needs care, which includes cleaning the home air conditioner from pollution. Dust and dirt particles that accumulate inside the device are one of the most common causes of equipment malfunctions.

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Causes and effects of air conditioner pollution

Any climate technology during operation distills countless air that contains dust, fluff, animal hair, bacteria and fungal spores. All this is delayed in the filters, on the fan and heat exchanger.

Important! Over time, all this garbage accumulates and forms a “mud coat” in which fungi and harmful microorganisms develop. This leads to the fact that the air conditioner during operation becomes a source of unpleasant odors, and together with air, a person inhales microorganisms that adversely affect his health.

If the home air conditioner is not cleaned in accordance with the recommended by the manufacturer and professional graphic service personnel, the following problems may occur due to dust accumulated inside:

• Significant deterioration in the indoor climate.
• A significant reduction in the efficiency of the device.
• The risk of failure of the split system increases due to increased load on the electric motor.
• The appearance of an unpleasant odor.
• The climate control device works with difficulty, since dust prevents the free passage of air.

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Cleaning schedule for a home air conditioner - criteria for determining the appropriate mode

The following factors affect the degree of contamination of the device, and hence the regularity of cleaning the home air conditioner:

• Clogged air mass. A large amount of dust falls into houses that are close to construction complexes, roads, industrial enterprises.
• The height of the climate system. Air conditioners located on the highest floors of an apartment building absorb much less dust than devices on the lower floors.
• Air humidity indicator.
• Poplar fluff is the worst enemy of technology, which can clog system elements and a radiator.
• Frequency of use of the device.

Urgent cleaning of the air conditioner

If the climate system has ideally served for several years, then do not tighten the filter elements with cleaning. Pay attention to how the system works, and if you find the following symptoms, then proceed to urgent cleaning of the split system:

• The increase in energy consumption.
• Reducing the power of the air conditioner.
• Condensation leaks from the indoor unit.
• Noise and crackle while connecting the device to the network.
• The appearance of an unpleasant odor during operation of the device.
• Icing of highways and fittings.

Correct frequency

All models of air conditioners are equipped with a powerful filtration system for air purification. Clogged filters reduce the performance of the climate system and increase its energy consumption.

Important! Such unpleasant consequences can be avoided if preventive measures are taken to clean up both the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioner.

Such events should be carried out at least 2 times a year:

• Before switching to the off-season mode (in the autumn months).
• Before operation (in the spring).

Important! Removable filters, with intensive use of the device, it is recommended to clean one to three times a week, depending on the air pollution in the room. During normal operation - at least 1 time in 2-3 weeks.

 

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Cleaning a Home Air Conditioner: A Technique

Cleaning the home air conditioner can be entrusted to specialists who will carry out all the manipulations quickly and efficiently. However, you can clean the device yourself. The main thing is to take care of the climate system carefully and it will work for 7-12 years without additional repairs.

Process steps

The whole process of cleaning a home air conditioner can be divided into three stages:

1. Filter system care. Cleaning or replacing the filter.
2. Cleaning the indoor unit.
3. Preventative cleaning of the outdoor unit.

Important! Before carrying out any work, the air conditioner must be disconnected from the mains.    

Consider how to independently clean the air conditioner at home in more detail.

How to clean the filters?

Caring for the air conditioning in the apartment consists in washing the filters. This is the most straightforward procedure anyone can handle. Of course, different models have their own characteristics, but in most cases, the devices are designed identically.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Carefully read the operating instructions for how to remove the filter.
2. Lay a plastic wrap or paper around the air conditioner.
3. Carefully open the top cover of the indoor unit.
4. Remove the upper air filters.
5. Vacuum or brush them.
6. Soak in soapy water for 15-20 minutes.
7. Rinse gently in running water. Do not rub too hard and do not use household chemicals.
8. Dry the filter.
9. Turn on the air conditioner, spray a special cleaning and disinfection agent in the air intake area.
10. Wipe the protective grid holding the filter with a damp cloth, or rinse under running water.
11. Wipe the inside of the air conditioner with a damp cloth.
12. Install the filter.
13. Assemble the device and plug in the power cord.

Important! In order not to spoil the equipment:

• Do not make more than 8 washes of one filter element, as its throughput is impaired, and this affects the efficiency of the entire device.
• Disposable air filters must not be washed. These items must be changed periodically.

How to clean the indoor unit of a split system?

In addition to replacing and cleaning the filter, you can clean the heat exchanger-evaporator from dust yourself. This is the main part of the climate system, as the heat exchanger radiators are responsible for heating and cooling the air.

Important! If traces of metal corrosion appear on the surface of the heat exchanger, contact a service center to avoid freon leakage.

The evaporator of the air conditioner must be perfectly clean, and for this:

1. Disconnect the climate system.
2. According to the manufacturer's instructions, remove the protective grill.
3. Clean the heat exchanger with a vacuum cleaner and a thin brush. Work carefully, carefully and slowly, so as not to damage the heat exchanger and not injure your hand.
4. Assemble the device in the reverse order.

Important! Consider such features of cleaning your home air conditioner that will simplify the procedure and do not entail a system failure:

• When cleaning the evaporator, do not use a hard brush and metal objects, as they can damage the freon line and the heat exchanger itself.
• If too much dust has accumulated on the heat exchanger and it has turned into a mud film, then use it to remove it. steam cleaner. It is not recommended to carry out work with a special steam cleaner on your own, as internal parts can be damaged. In this case, entrust the work to specialists.

Fan cleaning

The rotary fan looks like a roller with many membranes. This element drives chilled air out of the air conditioner into the room. A lot of dust lingers on the fan and its elements, which subsequently turns into dense mud raids.

Important! If you do not clean the fan, the membranes can become so dirty that the climate device simply can not perform its functions.

To clean the fan, perform the following manipulations:

1. First, cover the wall with the oilcloth on which the air conditioner is mounted.
2. Cover the floor under the device.
3. Apply soapy water to the blades.
4. Leave for a while to keep the dirt wet.
5. Turn on the air conditioner at minimum speed. Do not be alarmed if particles of dirt and soap solution start to fly out of the air conditioner.
6. After a few minutes of operation, turn off the device.
7. Finish cleaning the partitions by hand with a brush and soapy water.

Drainage system cleaning

The accumulation of dust and dirt can also clog the drainage system. As a result, water will not flow outside, but into the room.

Important! Mold formed in an ideal environment may well spread first into the drain pan, and then into the radiator and the walls of the device.

There are three ways to clean the drainage system:

1. Rinse with water and detergents.
2. Flushing with complete disassembly of the indoor unit.
3. Flushing the disconnected drain with air.

Important! At home, it is easiest to flush the drainage system with detergents and water. A dishwashing detergent is also suitable for this purpose. After cleaning the drainage system, be sure to rinse the drain pan as well, as it is also prone to contamination.

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How to clean the air conditioner at home from the outside?

The outdoor unit is the most difficult to clean, as it is located on the outside of the house, in hard-to-reach places.

Important! It is necessary to clean the compressor unit of the split system once or twice a year.

If the air conditioner is not located too high, and you can get to it yourself, then you can do without specialists. Proceed as follows:

1. Disconnect the climate device.
2. Carefully unscrew the protective grille of the air conditioner.
3. Remove large debris.
4. Clean the unit with a vacuum cleaner and a brush.
5. Wipe the fan and the inside of the unit carefully with a damp cloth. Keep moisture away from electrical components. If necessary, cover them with plastic wrap.
6. Assemble the device in the reverse order.

Important! If you live on the upper floors, then call the wizard to clean the external unit.   

Advice:

1. A steam cleaner or compact mini-sink will allow much more efficient cleaning of the external unit. Radiator plates are very well washed with a strong pressure of water. If necessary, you can use detergents.
2. Assemble and connect the device only after all the parts have completely dried.
3. When buying a climate system, immediately conclude a contract not only for installation, but also for subsequent maintenance of the air conditioner. Regular service will save you from many problems, and the service life and quality work will increase.

Important! Be sure to entrust the first cleaning of the air conditioner to specialists, and carefully monitor their work yourself, so that in the future, if necessary, use their skills and clean the air conditioner yourself without problems.

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Automatic cleaning of the air conditioner

Modern device models are equipped with additional functions that not only ensure the smooth operation of the device, but also perform automatic cleaning:

1. Some models use ionic air purification. Oxygen or nitrogen ions, thanks to a special device, bind to dust particles, charging them. Charged microparticles are easily captured by a dust collector.
2. Other models use ionized water dust, a multi-stage filtration system and air ionization. This whole system eliminates unpleasant odors.
3. If the air conditioner is equipped with a built-in touch sensor, then the equipment will control the composition of the air itself and, if necessary, start the cleaning system.

All these useful functions can facilitate a person’s life and care for the climate system, but it should be understood that no device can independently remove the filter from the indoor unit and rinse it with water or replace it.

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Rules for operating the air conditioner

For the climate system to serve you for many years, adhere to the following rules:

1. Clean the indoor unit at least once a month and rinse the filters.
2. Once a year, be sure to call specialists who will check the pressure of the device and refuel with freon.
3. If any signs of a malfunction occur, turn off the device and call for service.
4. Do not plug in a device without an adaptation complex to low temperatures if the ambient temperature is below -5 degrees.
5. Before the summer season, clean the evaporator of the device and the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit. Check the operation of the air conditioner in all modes.

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Stock footage

We hope that after reading our article, you are convinced that cleaning the air conditioner at home is possible without any special skills and tools. Follow all operating rules and recommendations for caring for the climate system, and it will serve you for many years.