An air conditioner is put under severe strain. It is asked to perform multiple and intense tasks, such as regulating humidity, lowering the room temperature, and being as quiet and discreet as possible. Even when you purchase and install a system that fully meets all of these requirements, you still need to clean your air conditioner regularly, as well as check and adjust it. If you are wondering how to maintain air conditioning, do not hesitate to consult the experts at SBF Energies, who will be able to advise you best on the measures to consider. Of course, we will also offer you maintenance contracts, if you wish. This is often the simplest solution, since you don’t have to take care of anything. In this blog post, we will find some general rules for knowing how to maintain your air conditioning .
How often should you maintain your air conditioning?
Among the elements to take into account when knowing how to maintain your air conditioning, there is the frequency of the operation. There is no absolute answer. The frequency of maintenance of an air conditioner depends largely on its cooling system. A small device, which only operates during the summer months, can be serviced every two years. For a large air conditioner, which serves an entire home, or even an office floor, it is better to carry out annual maintenance.
Just like the air conditioner in a car, the filters in your home or office air conditioners need to be replaced regularly. This prevents your air conditioner from becoming a source of indoor air pollution, by blowing bacteria, mold and dust into the atmosphere. The frequency of maintenance presents a health issue that should not be neglected.
How to clean the filter when maintaining an air conditioner?
Changing the filters, which we have just mentioned, is a fairly simple operation that your technician will carry out during his annual maintenance visit, or which you can carry out yourself if necessary, for example when the air conditioner is subjected to to intense use.
Cleaning the filter fulfills two functions: firstly, it allows you to prevent the proliferation of germs and dust in the system, but it will also help you maintain the performance of your device, which cools less when the filter is clogged . You can do the following:
disconnect the device from the power supply by pulling the plug or cutting the electrical circuit on the main panel;
This is an intermediate cleaning. Your filter must be completely changed after each operating season. You will find replacement products in specialized stores. Your installer can also provide you with filters.
Condenser maintenance and cleaning
Another important measure: disinfection of the condenser. Do not neglect it, just like cleaning the condensation water drain pipe. The condenser is a heat exchanger in which temperature transfers take place. The heat and humidity present there are conducive to the formation and spread of germs
Disinfectant foam sprays are available in specialized stores and are perfect for deep cleaning of these parts. They are effective against all types of microorganisms. You will find the location of the condenser in the instructions given to you by your installer. Don’t forget to read the advice given there.
Many portable air conditioners also have an integrated condensation water tank. You must empty this tank daily when the air conditioner is used in continuous operation. Most systems indicate when the tank is full.
Other tips for how to maintain an air conditioning
If your air conditioning system is split type, you have an internal unit and an external unit connected by pipes and ducts. The external unit must be cleaned regularly to remove dead leaves and grass which can obstruct the grilles. If not cleaned, you risk your system sucking up pollen, dust and twigs, then spreading them inside the home. You can use a screwdriver to remove the grille attached to the exterior element of your split.
If the cooling capacity decreases despite regular maintenance, this problem may be caused by the coolant. A small amount of this liquid is released into the outside air during cooling phases. Caution: an insufficient fluid level should always be diagnosed by a professional. Do not risk adding more yourself, this liquid must under no circumstances come into contact with the skin, you risk injuring yourself. Your SBF Energies technician, for his part, is trained in the use of refrigerant liquid and will take all necessary precautions during maintenance.
Finally, before you shut down your air conditioning system for the winter, run it for about half a day, so it can dry completely inside. Then make sure to turn off the switch. In the case of a fixed air conditioner, you can, if you wish, and if the electrician has provided for it, cut off the power supply on the main panel.
How to maintain your air conditioning: in brief
As we can see, certain maintenance measures can perfectly be carried out by an individual. This mainly concerns the regular cleaning of the installation. This cleaning, however, remains superficial. Having a complete maintenance carried out by an experienced technician is still essential.
It is also easy to forget regular hygiene measures. By taking out a maintenance contract, you do not have to worry about complicated handling, nor do you have to worry about forgetting to clean or change the filter. SBF Energies will remind you when it is time to carry out the annual maintenance and our services will arrange an appointment with you. We obviously provide you with all the necessary parts (filters, cleaner, etc.).