It's a weekend, two weeks into summer, you are stretched out on the couch watching your favorite TV show, iced beverage at hand as the sun scorches away the rather lazy afternoon.
You suddenly realize you are drenched in sweat, and why? The air conditioner is beat.
Well, armed with the right tips, air conditioner maintenance is one of the easiest home-based chores that can be done by just about anyone who knows their way round a screw driver.
This can save you the time and money spent on the air conditioner maintenance guy, who judging by his tone, would rather be somewhere else.
Basically, air conditioner maintenance involves the following: First, turn off power to the air conditioner: Unscrew and remove the front cover or grill to expose the filter and remove it.
Once removed, replace if damaged.
For reusable ones, clean with soap and warm water.
Use a few drops of bleach to kill any bacteria.
Allow to dry before reinstalling.
Vacuum the blower compartment and apply motor oil on any lubrication ports.
Wipe the cover or grill too before you reinstall it.
If you use the air conditioner in a dusty environment or have furry pets around, know that dirty filters hinder efficient air flow hence reducing normal system performance.
Cleaning those filters twice a month will do the trick.
Next step to your air conditioner maintenance is cleaning the condenser which is located outside the house usually on a concrete pad.
This exposes it to dust, debris from mowed grass and tree leaves.
Clear any grass that has grown around the condenser.
Clean the coil, preferably using a commercial coil cleaner which better since it has instructions for use.
Then, remove the protective grille to allow you to clean the fins.
Fins are easily damaged so please use a soft brush to clean the fins, and then gently straighten bent fins using a fin comb.
Unscrew the top grille and gently set aside the fan, paying attention not to strain the wires.
Wipe the interior of the condenser using a damp cloth.
Reinstall the unscrewed grilles and firmly screw them back into their positions.
Due to its location, the condenser is exposed to changing weather conditions that affect the overall performance of your air conditioner.
It is therefore advised that during winter, cover it with fitting commercial condenser cover or alternatively use a heavy plastic sheet which is to be wrapped round the condenser and secured using a durable elastic cord.
Remove the drain tube from the air conditioner and seal any leaks.
Replace damaged tube.
Pass a stiff wire through the tube to unclog it.
Clean the tube by passing bleach and water solution through it.
Use a bottle brush or pipe cleaner to clean out the drain port.
Once completed, reinstall the clean tube.
Turn on the power and let her live.
With these simple yet effective techniques, you will enjoy the 45 minutes spared for your air conditioner maintenance and who knows? It may as well turn out to be a hobby!
You suddenly realize you are drenched in sweat, and why? The air conditioner is beat.
Well, armed with the right tips, air conditioner maintenance is one of the easiest home-based chores that can be done by just about anyone who knows their way round a screw driver.
This can save you the time and money spent on the air conditioner maintenance guy, who judging by his tone, would rather be somewhere else.
Basically, air conditioner maintenance involves the following: First, turn off power to the air conditioner: Unscrew and remove the front cover or grill to expose the filter and remove it.
Once removed, replace if damaged.
For reusable ones, clean with soap and warm water.
Use a few drops of bleach to kill any bacteria.
Allow to dry before reinstalling.
Vacuum the blower compartment and apply motor oil on any lubrication ports.
Wipe the cover or grill too before you reinstall it.
If you use the air conditioner in a dusty environment or have furry pets around, know that dirty filters hinder efficient air flow hence reducing normal system performance.
Cleaning those filters twice a month will do the trick.
Next step to your air conditioner maintenance is cleaning the condenser which is located outside the house usually on a concrete pad.
This exposes it to dust, debris from mowed grass and tree leaves.
Clear any grass that has grown around the condenser.
Clean the coil, preferably using a commercial coil cleaner which better since it has instructions for use.
Then, remove the protective grille to allow you to clean the fins.
Fins are easily damaged so please use a soft brush to clean the fins, and then gently straighten bent fins using a fin comb.
Unscrew the top grille and gently set aside the fan, paying attention not to strain the wires.
Wipe the interior of the condenser using a damp cloth.
Reinstall the unscrewed grilles and firmly screw them back into their positions.
Due to its location, the condenser is exposed to changing weather conditions that affect the overall performance of your air conditioner.
It is therefore advised that during winter, cover it with fitting commercial condenser cover or alternatively use a heavy plastic sheet which is to be wrapped round the condenser and secured using a durable elastic cord.
Remove the drain tube from the air conditioner and seal any leaks.
Replace damaged tube.
Pass a stiff wire through the tube to unclog it.
Clean the tube by passing bleach and water solution through it.
Use a bottle brush or pipe cleaner to clean out the drain port.
Once completed, reinstall the clean tube.
Turn on the power and let her live.
With these simple yet effective techniques, you will enjoy the 45 minutes spared for your air conditioner maintenance and who knows? It may as well turn out to be a hobby!
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