Is it necessary to service your air conditioning?

  • By: cooladmin
  • Date: August 29, 2022
  • Time to read: 4 min.
Table of Contents

    Introduction – Is it necessary to service your air conditioning?

    Yes, you need to service your air conditioning unit at home or office regularly. Failure to do so can reduce the efficiency of your AC, and it may not function properly. If left unaddressed for a longer period, these issues can even lead to long-term damage to your unit and increase its maintenance cost in the future.

    The good news is that servicing your AC is a simple process that requires minimal time and effort. All you need are the right tools and some basic knowledge of how the appliance works. Depending on the type of AC you have, servicing it may involve one or more of the following tasks:



    Cleanliness is next to Godliness

    As the saying goes, the first step towards a healthy lifestyle is cleanliness. The same stands true for your AC. A dirty filter restricts the flow of air, which leads to reduced cooling capacity. Not only that, accumulated dirt and dust can also lead to internal damage to your AC.

    Hence, it’s necessary to clean the filter at regular intervals to ensure optimal performance of your AC. Filter cleaning is easy and doesn’t require any specialized knowledge. All you need are some basic cleaning tools and a little time to get the job done.

    To clean the filter, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove any loose dirt and debris. You may also use a soft brush to scrub off stubborn buildup from the filter.

    Check the filter

    The filter is the first line of defense in your AC, and it’s the easiest to inspect. It should be cleaned or changed every 3 to 6 months to ensure optimal performance of your AC. There are three main types of filters used in ACs: Foam, fiber, and paper.

    Depending on the type of filter you have, you can clean it using a vacuum cleaner or by washing it in warm water. Besides the filter, you should also check the condition of the drain pan of your AC to rule out any potential issues.

    A clogged drain pan can lead to a build-up of water inside the unit, which may damage the compressor. Hence, it’s recommended to clean the drain pan every 3 months to keep your AC safe.

    Check the condenser coil

    The condenser coil is the outside portion of the AC where the refrigerant flows after converting into a gaseous state. The primary function of the condenser coil is to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant, thereby converting it back into a liquid state.

    To do so, the condenser coil is designed with cooling fins that allow it to dissipate heat through radiation. However, in certain cases, the cooling fins may get clogged with dirt, causing the efficiency of the AC to fall. If the coil is dirty, you can use a garden hose to clean it.

    Make sure to use a low-pressure setting while cleaning the coil. If the pressure used is too high, it may damage the coil.

    Check the evaporator coil

    The evaporator is the indoor portion of your AC where the refrigerant condenses and changes back into a gas. The heat generated within the indoor unit is transmitted to the evaporator coil, where it gets absorbed into the refrigerant.

    An evaporator coil is usually made of copper tubing that has a texture to let the heat dissipate. While cleaning the evaporator coil, you can use a garden hose to remove any dirt from the tubing. However, make sure the water pressure is low enough to avoid damaging the coil.

    Besides cleaning the evaporator coil, you should also check its tubing for any signs of corrosion. Corrosion inside the tubing may lead to reduced efficiency of the AC, causing the unit to overheat.

    Change the refrigerant

    The compressor inside your AC uses refrigerant to reduce the temperature of your indoor air. However, over time, some amount of refrigerant escapes from the system, which reduces the efficiency of the AC.

    To prevent this, you can replace the existing refrigerant with a fresh supply. You can do this by removing the outdoor unit of your AC and draining the existing refrigerant. Next, you have to add a new refrigerant to the system.

    Replacing the refrigerant can be tricky and requires specialized knowledge. You should ideally hire a professional to replace the refrigerant in your AC.

    Conclusion

    ACs are essential appliances that help us beat the scorching heat of summer. However, regular usage can lead to an increased load on your AC, which may reduce its efficiency. Regular servicing of your AC can reduce your energy bills by up to 30% and extend the lifespan of your system.

    However, it’s equally important to schedule the servicing of your AC at regular intervals. By following these tips, you can easily service your AC by yourself.