An Air conditioner (AC), without a doubt, is one of the most important appliances that you buy for your home. In a country like Nigeria, Air conditioners are very essential all year round as they help in the conditioning of the air, which leads to a pleasant atmosphere within your home and office in our Tropical region.
It can be highly inconvenient when an air conditioner does not work properly especially when humidity levels are at an all-time high. An Air conditioner that is not maintained starts consuming more energy and doesn’t function as effectively as it should.
That is where proper maintenance and timely servicing of air conditioners comes into the picture. To make sure such a situation does not occur, you have to be proactive about the maintenance of the air conditioners at home be it a window, splits, standing or ceiling unit Also regular maintenance of an air conditioner increases their lifespan by an order of a few years.
At Alabamart, we have put together 5 steps homeowners can do to maintain their Split or window-mounted air conditioners. These things keep your AC unit in good working order and can help reduce your energy use. You can check out our previous contents www.alabamart.com/blog
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- Regular Cleaning of the Air filter
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 reduce the amount of airflow and significantly reduce a system's efficiency. In addition, when airflow is obstructed, air can bypass the filter and deposit 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, 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 conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions, or you have fur-bearing pets in the house.
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- Ensure condenser fan is working properly
Your Air conditioner can’t cool your home very well if the condenser unit fan blade is poor in shape. That’s why it is always important to know their condition.
The condenser unit fan is important for the Air conditioner’s performance because it cools down the refrigerant gas. However, if it doesn’t work correctly, the Air conditioner no longer cools the room. To do this, turn the power off to your air conditioner unit and check the fan mounted on top of the outside condenser unit to make sure it’s still in good shape. Replace the fan blades if there are any cracks or chips visible in one or more of the blades. But first, make sure the blades fit your condenser unit. Also, if you have an older air conditioner unit, you may need to oil the fan motor bearings regularly.
In a case where you hear a weird sound coming from your AC, there’s a possibility that the condenser unit fan is at fault. In such a case, you must call up professional experts immediately to check for heaviness in the motor or examine any chips or cracks in the blades.
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- Inspect condensate drains
Every Air conditioning system gas a condensate drain line (a white pvc pipe) that runs from your indoor air handler to the outside of your home. During normal operation, condensate is safely carried out of your home via the drain line. you will usually find the drain line near the outdoor condenser unit A condensate drain is responsible for condensation in the system.
A clogged line will freeze your AC system by trapping water in your air conditioner. As a result, the evaporator coil will eventually turn to ice. The moisture in the drain can also freeze which will cause your air conditioner to turn off.
In a case where the condensate drain is clogged, it will stop drainage. If you come to notice that the water is not getting drained out, seek an AC professional to come and have a look at it.
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- Clear Debris from Around the Outside of the Unit
Outdoor condenser can also become very dirty if the outdoor environment is dusty or if there is foliage nearby. You can easily see the condenser coil and notice if dirt is collecting on its fins.
You should minimize dirt and debris near the condenser unit. Your dryer vents, falling leaves, and lawn mower are all potential sources of dirt and debris. Cleaning the area around the coil, removing any debris, and trimming foliage back at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) allow for adequate airflow around the condenser.
If your condenser unit is located in your yard, avoid passing a lawnmower right by the unit because it could shoot grass and other debris into it. You can use a pair of garden shears to keep grass right by the unit trimmed.
Over time, leaves, dirt and grass clippings build up outside the air conditioner unit; this decreases the system’s capacity and reduces airflow. It’s also why maintenance for the outside unit couldn’t be more important. First, shut off power to the unit. You can do that at the service disconnect on your outdoor unit or at your home’s main breaker panel. Then, use a garden hose to gently wash out the debris. Start at the top, with the hose at about a 45-degree angle, and work your way down. Do not use a power washer — otherwise, you could damage the unit. And take care not to bend or damage the delicate fins on the coil.
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- Evaporator Coil Cleaning
Air conditioning coils assist the refrigerant in absorbing the heat and cooling the room. The air conditioner's evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt over their months and years of service. A clean filter prevents the evaporator coil from soiling quickly. In time, however, the evaporator coil will still collect dirt. This dirt reduces airflow and insulates the coil, reducing its ability to absorb heat. To avoid this problem, check your evaporator coil every year and clean it as necessary.
Aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block airflow through the coil. Air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a "fin comb" that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition.
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These routine check-ups are important to make sure your air conditioner is running at optimal performance. Most important? Regular check-ups will ensure your air conditioner lasts for as many years as possible.
However, if you find yourself in need of an upgrade, consider a system that will not only meet your family’s comfort needs, but also offers greater peace of mind with energy usage and billing expenses. Alabamart is your one stop shop.
So here you have it, 5 Steps to Maintain the Air Conditioner. Do well to visit www.alabamart.com to find arrays of electronics and appliances at unbeatable prices. You can also reach out to us via call/whatsapp +234702500270. Contact us via email: info@alabamart.com, check us out on IG: Alabamart_store.