When we install an air conditioner, we must take into account that throughout its life span it is more than advisable to do maintenance to prevent the occurrence of possible breakdowns or failures. In this way, we can ensure that the equipment works properly, improving its performance, and avoid the occurrence of possible breakdowns.
How is air conditioning maintenance performed?
Before starting with the maintenance of our air conditioner, in the event that we suspect that the equipment is not working properly, we recommend contacting an air conditioning professional to supervise the installation and verify the performance of the device, that there are no elements obstructing the outlets, that there are no refrigerant leaks, etc.
The indoor unit of the split air conditioner requires simple maintenance that can be performed by the user himself. On one hand, we must perform periodic cleaning of the air conditioning filters and, on the other hand, cleaning the drain. This prevents dirt from accumulating inside the indoor unit, which causes the performance of the equipment to drop, causing higher energy consumption and may even cause failures or breakdowns.
Cleaning air conditioning filters
The filters contained in the air conditioning equipment filter the air by absorbing dust particles and pollen to prevent them from reaching the environment and keeping the air clean.
For this reason, it is advisable to clean the air conditioning filters periodically, at least once a year, before the season starts.
To perform this maintenance work, we must:
- Open the air conditioning cover, behind the grille we find the air conditioning filters. It will be necessary to remove them to perform the cleaning of air conditioning filters.
- You have two options: clean them with a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris that may be present, or use cold water to clean them completely. In this case, put them to dry in the shade, never in the sun to avoid deformation (then they may not fit back into the appliance).
- Once cleaned, the air conditioning filters are reinserted into the air conditioning unit in the same position and the air conditioning unit is ready to operate.
Cleaning the drain of the split
The use of air conditioners in cooling mode causes an evaporation process inside the indoor unit that causes water droplets to accumulate inside the system. The drain is a thin tube through which the water falls under its own weight. If it is not cleaned from time to time, the accumulated water could cause foul odors, bacterial growth, or malfunctions. It is therefore advisable to drain the equipment from time to time.
If we perceive that the drain has become clogged or is in bad condition, blowing hard through the pipe can be a simple solution, although, in more centralized installations, access to this pipe can be complicated. In this case, the solution may be to replace the drain pipe.
General cleaning of the indoor unit
To guarantee its correct operation, avoid the proliferation of bacteria, and maintain the aesthetics of the equipment, it is convenient to perform a superficial cleaning of the indoor unit using the appropriate products (non-abrasive). A solution of water with 10% bleach and a spray with a synthetic cloth can be used for this purpose.
Maintenance of the outdoor unit
The outdoor unit contains some of the main technical components of the air conditioner: compressor, exchanger, refrigerant. Outdoor units are almost always placed outdoors, so it is advisable to check and clean them regularly on the surface to prevent dirt accumulation and ensure that no external agent obstructs the airflow or the fan grilles.
If the outdoor unit is hanging from the facade, it is crucial to check the condition of the equipment supports to avoid accidents.
If you would like additional advice about aircon repair, you can take a look at this page.
