subject: Cool Air Conditioning Tips [print this page] Aircon systems will work for a number of years with little difficulty, if you keep your system well cared for. But this isn't unusual to home air-con systems. Just about everything we do nowadays can be done with the help of a mechanical or electric gadget. Nevertheless some things are non-user maintainable and will break down after a bit.
Home air-con systems are built to last a long while, so long as they're properly maintained. If you're loathe to try this upkeep yourself, you'll have to call in a pro, but there's a large amount of upkeep any person can perform. Even the most ham-fisted klutz. If you carry out these easy cool air con tips, you will only need a professional's help once each 2 years, which should save everyone a fortune.
There are 3 basic sorts of fixed home aircon units : central air conditioners ; split air conditioners and room air conditioners. There's also a 4th type, the movable conditioner, but there are too many types of these to generalize.
Central Air Conditioners - this is made up of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. You can clean or change the air filter in the indoor apparatus according to its type. Wire filters can be washed, glass fibre filters have to be replaced. You ought to do this monthly during the hot season in order to maintain maximum performance and air quality.
You should also clean any dust or grease from the fan blades. Lightly oil the fan shaft and any bearings too. If your unit is belt driven make sure that the belt is not worn and that it is neither too taut nor too loose, which means that there should be some give, but that it should not be so free as to slip. Like a car's fan belt. Degrease and cleanse the coil of tubing.
The outside unit should be cleaned in a fairly similar way as the interior unit, but you need to also clear any undergrowth or rubbish from around it to permit an unrestricted airflow. If it is in direct daylight while in operation, put up a lean-to to give it shade as well as shelter from rain and snow in winter.
Split air-con Systems - the outside part should be serviced as shown, but the indoor air handler is dissimilar as there is not any fan pushing air thru a structure of channels. At least one time a year, take out the internal filter and wash it or clean it according to the manufacturer's book. If you do this regularly enough, you won't have to wash the coil.
If you overlook one or two upkeep sessions, clean the coil as above. Service the outside box as indicated too.
Room Air Conditioners - take out the grille and wash or replace the filter at least once every summer. Filters can normally be washed three times and then ought to be replaced. If you fail to do this, you will have to clean the coil, as above. In the winter, cover the grille with cling film or a tarp, to stop cold drafts.
