5 DIY Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips

Most homes are nowadays well equipped with modern home appliances. Regular service of any home appliance is very necessary at regular intervals for the proper functioning of the product and best of results in terms of efficiency and energy saving. Similar is the case with an air conditioner which needs to be serviced at regular intervals to keep the compressor in good shape and be effective at cooling. Proper maintenance will also ensure prolonged lifespan of the air conditioner. Negligence in regular service might reduce the efficiency and cause damage to the unit.

1. Regularly Clean Air Filter

Cleaning the air filter of your AC is one of the most important tasks and needs to be done more frequently than others. It should be done almost every month during the summer or when it is in high use while just once during the fall or winter. The air filter is usually located just behind the main frame AC and it basically filters the air entering. It needs to be cleaned when it gets clogged of dirt, dust and other allergen particles. This also reduces the efficiency of the AC making it work harder and hence consuming more energy. The filter can be washed off, dried and re-used in most cases or replaced otherwise.

2. Check Thermostat

This is necessary to ensure that your AC isn’t running unnecessarily and to save energy consumption. Some older ACs have a mechanical type of thermostat which is not very efficient and is definitely not automated which leaves you vulnerable to either do the task yourself or risk wasting money on excessive energy consumption. First and foremost, change it to a programmable thermostat and set it to a moderate temperature to bring the room to a desired environment and it will automatically turn off the AC. You are sure to save power and money this way.

3. Check Wiring and Components

It is very essential to first turn off the main power supply to the AC before beginning to start working on it to avoid any electric shocks. This part is mainly for inspection purposes and not for repairing. You can open the mainframe and look at the wiring circuit. Don’t do this very often but only if you find some abnormality or excess sound. Check for any melted wires or short-circuits (anything burnt). You can use an electric tester to check the working conditions. If smaller components seem to have blown away, you can find the parts and replace them. However, if you aren’t comfortable, call an expert.

4. Cleaning Coil Fins

There is more to air conditioning maintenance than what meets the eye. You can do a lot yourself and not depend on professionals for minimal servicing of your AC. The coil fins which are usually wrapped with aluminium can be seen on the condensers and the evaporative coils. Dust can accumulate over these and disrupt efficient functioning of the condenser and evaporator. Also, often unclog the rear drain to avoid blockage and continued free flow of water else it will increase the humidity levels in the room.

5. Maintaining Condenser and Fan Unit

This is the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and is often left untreated under harsh environment conditions. It dissipates heat and helps keep the compressor cool and when dust and debris settle on the unit, heat dissipation is reduced and efficiency of the AC in turn reduces. Take extreme care to not bend the fins of the fans and you can gently wash off the dust and debris. During winters, when the AC is not in use, cover it up to avoid dust and dirt entering into the outdoor unit.

While these were some DIY tips to maintain good health of your AC, it is advisable that you never miss the routine service of your AC. Make sure you get it serviced right before the onset of summer to enjoy uninterrupted results from your AC. Now that you know what all needs to be taken care of yourself, make sure that you do.