More and more people are discovering the benefits of a home air conditioning system, because prices have dropped in relation to to wages over recent years. However, most people's approach is 'out of sight, out of mind'. That is, until they get home from work on a sweltering hot summer's afternoon and the air con does not work.
The most common reason for this is years of no maintenance. The only way that you will get the most from air conditioning units, as with any mechanism, is to maintain it according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule and get it checked over by a professional every two or three years, whatever the instruction booklet says. You cannot completely eliminate the professional check up, but you can carry out the basic maintenance yourself, which will save you at least two years of fees.
Here then are my most essential basic air conditioning maintenance tips.
If you have a central air conditioner, wash or change the air filter roughly once a month during the hot weather season. This will help prolong the life of your air conditioning apparatus, increase its level of efficiency (thereby reducing running costs) and enhance the quality of the air in your home.
The two typical kinds of air filters are the washable steel mesh variety and the woven fibre glass kind which is disposable. These filters slide into the ductwork or blower compartment. You can further improve the performance of your central air conditioner by clearing all the grass, bushes, flowers and picking up the debris from around the outside compressor unit.
Furthermore, if the outdoor apparatus is ever in full sunlight when it is in use, build a small structure like a simple lean-to over it to keep it in the shade. Then it will not have to work so hard. It will also keep the snow and rain out of it during the winter. Get both the internal and external units looked at by an expert every two years.
Other basic air conditioning maintenance tips are to take the 'top' off your blower unit before the start of the summer and give it some attention. Gently scrape the build-up of dust and grease on the blades of the fan, Then lightly oil the fan's shaft and bearings so that it will rotate more freely. If your fan or blower is belt driven, check the fan belt for wear, tension and alignment. Correct as you would for a vehicle.
The motors on most recent blower units are totally sealed and self-lubricating, but the older ones have an oil reservoir which has to be refilled every year. Check that, clean the sump, if you have one and fill up with fresh oil.
You can also clean the coil, which is a loop of metal tubing. Vacuum it and then lightly clean it with a tooth brush and something like methylated spirits in order to degrease it. Wipe up any spillage. All of these routines can be applied to the outside unit too, because it also has a fan and a coil. Clean any cobwebs from the case's vents too. - 31822
The most common reason for this is years of no maintenance. The only way that you will get the most from air conditioning units, as with any mechanism, is to maintain it according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule and get it checked over by a professional every two or three years, whatever the instruction booklet says. You cannot completely eliminate the professional check up, but you can carry out the basic maintenance yourself, which will save you at least two years of fees.
Here then are my most essential basic air conditioning maintenance tips.
If you have a central air conditioner, wash or change the air filter roughly once a month during the hot weather season. This will help prolong the life of your air conditioning apparatus, increase its level of efficiency (thereby reducing running costs) and enhance the quality of the air in your home.
The two typical kinds of air filters are the washable steel mesh variety and the woven fibre glass kind which is disposable. These filters slide into the ductwork or blower compartment. You can further improve the performance of your central air conditioner by clearing all the grass, bushes, flowers and picking up the debris from around the outside compressor unit.
Furthermore, if the outdoor apparatus is ever in full sunlight when it is in use, build a small structure like a simple lean-to over it to keep it in the shade. Then it will not have to work so hard. It will also keep the snow and rain out of it during the winter. Get both the internal and external units looked at by an expert every two years.
Other basic air conditioning maintenance tips are to take the 'top' off your blower unit before the start of the summer and give it some attention. Gently scrape the build-up of dust and grease on the blades of the fan, Then lightly oil the fan's shaft and bearings so that it will rotate more freely. If your fan or blower is belt driven, check the fan belt for wear, tension and alignment. Correct as you would for a vehicle.
The motors on most recent blower units are totally sealed and self-lubricating, but the older ones have an oil reservoir which has to be refilled every year. Check that, clean the sump, if you have one and fill up with fresh oil.
You can also clean the coil, which is a loop of metal tubing. Vacuum it and then lightly clean it with a tooth brush and something like methylated spirits in order to degrease it. Wipe up any spillage. All of these routines can be applied to the outside unit too, because it also has a fan and a coil. Clean any cobwebs from the case's vents too. - 31822
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with central air conditioning systems. If you are interested in Home Air Conditioning Systems, please click through to our site.
