Air conditioning is crucial in Australia, where temperatures can soar to extreme levels during the summer months. It provides a comfortable indoor environment, helps prevent heat-related illnesses and improves sleep quality. This is why it’s essential that you keep your split system air conditioner clean and well-maintained – but how do you do that?
Benefits of cleaning your air conditioner
Cleaning your air conditioner has several benefits, including improving its efficiency, extending its lifespan and improving the quality of air in your home. Over time, dirt, dust and debris can accumulate in the unit, clogging filters and reducing airflow. This causes the unit to work harder, leading to increased energy consumption and higher energy bills. Regular cleaning helps prevent breakdowns, expensive repairs and costly bills.
Additionally, by cleaning your air conditioner it can help remove allergens, bacteria and other pollutants from the air, improving the overall air quality and reducing the risk of respiratory problems. Essentially, regularly cleaning your air conditioner is necessary for maintaining a healthy, efficient and comfortable indoor environment.
Annual DIY cleaning of outdoor compressors
Air conditioning units are generally comprised of two main components, the main A/C unit (or sometimes referred to as the Split System, an AC Head or Evaporator) which sits inside your house and the compressor which is located outside. The outdoor compressor is responsible for storing the refrigerant gas and circulating it through the system. To clean your outdoor compressor, you need to turn off the power supply to the unit and then remove any debris or foliage that may have accumulated around it using a broom or vacuum.
The next still will really depend on the model of outdoor unit which you own and can sometimes be a little tricky. It could also require a screwdriver to allow you to gain access to the compressor housing. You should be able to carefully open the housing to gain access to the condenser fins, which look like little metallic blades. These can best be cleaned using a vacuum, however if any of these fins are bent, you may need to use a small blunt knife to straighten them out to improve the airflow. If there is an easily accessible fan, you can remove it and give it a wash with warm water. Allow it to dry completely before putting it back in your machine.
Annual DIY cleaning of indoor A/C heads
The indoor A/C head is responsible for circulating cool air into your home. It’s connected to the outdoor compressor by refrigerant lines. To clean the A/C head, you’ll need to turn off the power supply to the unit and remove the front cover. This might require you to visit your houses switchboard to turn off the power.
Remove the filters and wash them in warm water, letting them dry completely before replacing them back inside the unit. Next, spray the coils with a special coil cleaner and leave the solution to work for 20 minutes before rinsing it away with a spray of water.
It’s a good idea to lay drop sheets or attach an A/C bag to the unit before cleaning as this will catch any debris and water. When you’ve finished cleaning, run the unit until any water has drained away and then remove the bag and place it in the waste.
Additional maintenance
Twice a year, you should replace the dust filters and wipe the unit to keep the exterior free of dust. Also, some A/C units have a dry-out function which helps remove excess moisture after use. If your A/C has this functionality, make sure to use it as it prevents the growth of mould.
Call in the experts
While DIY maintenance may seem like a cost-effective option for maintaining your air conditioner, it can sometimes be challenging and dangerous. So, it makes sense to call in the experts! For regular aircon maintenance done right, get in touch with us now.
Accessing the either the indoor or outdoor unit can sometimes be difficult, and without the proper tools or knowledge, can lead to the risk of damage to the unit or even hurting yourself! A quick visit from our expert team of technicians will promptly do what is needed to maintain your air conditioner safely and effectively, ensuring that it runs efficiently and smoothly for years to come.
Comments are closed.