Regular maintenance of the air conditioner is the key to its efficient operation, long service life, and clean air in the room. Over time, dust, dirt, and moisture accumulate in the system, which can lead to reduced performance, unpleasant odors, and even breakdowns.
Therefore, it is important not only to clean the filters in a timely manner but also to conduct a comprehensive diagnostics of the equipment. In this article, you will learn how and when to service air conditioners and if you need professional air conditioning service in San Diego, then Tytum will help you with this.
What Is Included In Split System Maintenance?
Split system maintenance must be carried out twice a year. This set of activities includes diagnostics of all systems, cleaning, and refueling. The main activities for servicing this type of air conditioning equipment include:
- Cleaning the outdoor unit using water and air under high pressure. This allows you to remove dust, cobwebs, and other contaminants that negatively affect the operation of the equipment.
- Flushing the drainage system and cleaning the fan.
- Diagnostics of all functions and elements of the system.
- Measuring the freon pressure. If it is insufficient, refueling is carried out.
- Measuring the air flow force.
- Checking the temperature conditions and various functions of the air conditioner.
- Cleaning the filters and the indoor unit as a whole.
- Cleaning the indoor unit filter.
It is recommended to service the air conditioner in a specialized center. This ensures that the work is performed by a specialist who has the necessary qualifications to carry it out, as well as modern tools and equipment. Independently performing such work can harm the device.
How Often Should a Split System Be Cleaned?
Split systems must be serviced at certain intervals, which depend on the operating conditions, equipment features, and their purpose. It is recommended to call a technician in the fall at the end of the season and in the spring before it begins. However, a full check of the operability of all systems with topping up of the refrigerant can be performed once every two years. The frequency of maintenance may also differ depending on the type of facility where the air conditioning equipment is installed:
- In apartments and houses, maintenance is required twice a year;
- Offices, administrative and public premises — every 3 months;
- Restaurants, cafes, retail premises — once a month.
Thus, the worse the operating conditions are, the more often maintenance is required.
What Needs to Be Cleaned?
First of all, it is necessary to regularly clean the filters of the indoor unit. If they remain dirty, the compressor may fail. In addition, dirty indoor filters are unable to trap dust and allergens in the room, making the use of the air conditioner ineffective. An indoor unit clogged with dust prevents the fan from operating normally and cannot provide normal heat removal.
1. Cleaning the indoor filters.
The outdoor unit becomes clogged with dust, cobwebs, insects, fluff, and bird excrement. The lower the outdoor unit is located to the ground, the faster it becomes clogged. If it is located in a hard-to-reach place, air conditioner cleaning should be carried out by high-altitude specialists.
2. Refilling the air conditioner.
Air conditioners most often operate on freon, which is a gas that is in a liquid state. The function of freon is to deliver heat from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, which leads to a decrease in temperature. Gradually, the amount of freon in the system decreases, so the air conditioner needs to be refilled periodically.
3. Air conditioner refueling.
The need to refuel the air conditioner is characterized by the following signs:
- Insufficient air cooling;
- Frost forms on the nuts of the outdoor unit;
- Ice forms on the taps of the outdoor unit and water drips.
The freon level decreases by about 8% per year. Therefore, the first refueling is required after several years of using the equipment.
Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips
To ensure a long service life of the equipment, you must follow the basic maintenance rules:
- Regular cleaning of the indoor unit filters. Experts recommend doing this on average once a week. This will ensure clean air in the room and reduce the load on the compressor.
- Once or twice a year, you need to call professional technicians who will diagnose all air conditioning systems. Specialists must also clean the equipment and, if necessary, refuel it.
- You should not diagnose and repair the equipment yourself. This may be unsafe. This is especially true for maintenance of the external unit, which is installed in a hard-to-reach place and must be carried out by specialists with permission to work at height.
- The equipment must be used only within the temperature limits specified by the manufacturer.
Why Are Dirty Filters Dangerous?
The degree of contamination of the filters of a home air conditioner determines not only the efficiency of its operation but also the quality of the air itself. Let’s list the main negative consequences of dirty filters.
The air conditioner performs its functions much worse. In other words, in the summer, it will not cool the air as well, and in the winter, it will not heat it well. Accordingly, other functions, such as dehumidification or air circulation, will not be performed effectively.
Bacteria and mold in the air conditioner. It should be understood that filters are clogged not only by mechanical particles but also by various microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, etc. Mold and fungus grow and multiply due to increased humidity during the operation of the system in cooling mode. During cooling, the moisture in the air condenses on the heat exchanger and flows into the drain hose. Dust, absorbing moisture, creates ideal conditions for the growth of these uninvited guests. Ultimately, this will lead to a significant portion of them getting into the air, mostly mold spores, which negatively affect human health and well-being.
Conclusion
Ignoring air conditioner maintenance can lead to reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and premature breakdowns. Regular cleaning and diagnostics help extend the life of the equipment and create a comfortable microclimate in the home. If you want to be sure that your system is working properly, trust the professionals, such as Tytum, who offer quality air conditioning services.
