Proper Care and Maintenance of Air Conditioners

Air conditioning systems are built to last and are intended to be used for long hours however, just like any other machine, it needs its own TLC to ensure optimum efficiency and durability. People are wrong to think that once an air conditioning unit is installed, it can be neglected.

The main reason behind taking care of air conditioning units is to avoid losing its capacity to cool an area and in effect cause higher electricity bills. The unit also becomes more prone to repairs and replacement.

DIY Step-by-Step Guide in Checking Up An Air Conditioner Unit
• Shut down the unit for a central AC. For window-type units, unplug the cord from the wall socket.
• For central types of air conditioner, check the condenser found in the outdoor unit and remove any objects like leaves to be able to clean the coils with a light spray shower from a garden hose. You may use soapy water, just make sure it is rinsed well. Make sure any motor parts are not soaked in water.
• Feel free to use a soft toothbrush to remove stubborn dirt.
• For both central and window type air conditioning units, check for cooling fins that are bent already. You may straighten these with the use of a coil fin comb.
• The foam filters should be cleaned once dirty, just make sure they are dry before putting back in the unit. For badly damaged filters, replace with a new one which can easily be bought from any hardware store.
• Once done, put the unit back into the window slot and seal gaps around the unit with an all-weather sealant.
• For central air-conditioning units, the inside unit should be inspected if the filters need replacement. It is important for filters to be clean to ensure proper air flow.
• The drain line should be without any dirt or obstructions. Clean it with a damp cloth. The water from the drain line should flow smoothly to the drain.
• Check the ducts for leak and remedy it with a durable duct tape.

If you are uneasy of cleaning the unit, you can hire a professional cleaner to do the job as long as you can be sure he is a specialist and won't bring any damage to the unit. Their cleaning services can include the following:
• Checking of coolant levels of the Freon. Having low Freon can mean higher energy consumption
• Ensure that there are no Freon leaks as mandated by law that these have to fixed first before adding more Freon.
• Belt adjustments if and when necessary.
• Checking of any drain blockages as well as operating pressures and temperatures.

If you are wondering why there is law about Freon usage, it is because of chloroflurocarbon which is definitely harmful to the environment when released. This is the reason why it is important to have leaks fixed and also to reduce electric bills.

Maintenance of air conditioning units should be regular and not foregone when the hot season is gone to ensure optimum quality and reliability. It is a relatively easy task to care for air conditioning units and the rewards are even better like reduced energy consumption.