How to Maintain an Air conditioning Unit

Air conditioners need regular maintenance to operate properly. An air conditioner loses at least 50% of its efficiency for every year that it goes without maintenance. With just a few easy maintenance procedures, they can perform both economically and dependably for many years. There are various types of air conditioning systems.

There are two components that must be maintained in a central air conditioner. The first component is the condensing unit. It is located out doors. The second component is called an evaporator coil. This coil is mounted on the main duct directly that distributes cool air indoors.
If the system is working yet not cooling the home, the problem can usually be traced back to the airflow system. It is important to note that before working on the air conditioner, the power source to the unit should be turned off.

Evaporator Maintenance Methodology

The evaporator is usually located indoors. The evaporator should be cleaned regularly. To clean the evaporator properly, follow the steps below.

Step One
Remove the air filter for cleaning. If the air filter is worn, a replacement can be made.

Step Two
Clean the evaporator coil or fins with coil cleaner and high pressure washer.

Step Three
Clean the drain pan drain hose. The tray carries condensation from the evaporator. To remove and prevent future fungus growth in the tray, pour a tablespoon of chlorine
bleach into the hole inside of the tray. If the tray has water in it, there may be a clog. Use the end of a coat hanger or a heavy wire to remove the clog.

Step Four
Clean the evaporator body panel.

Step Five
Check fan belt tension and adjust if necessary or replace if worn out.

Step Six
Put the evaporator body panel back to position.
Step Seven
Check all electrical connections for loose wiring and re-tight accordingly.

Step Eight
Check for electric motor running Amps.

Step Nine
Turn the air conditioner back on and check it for air leakage. If there are any leaks, seal them with duct tape or silicon.

Condenser Maintenance Methodology

The condenser is usually placed outside of the building. It routinely collects dirt, airborne dust, and debris from surrounding trees. Inside of the condenser unit is a fan; its function is to circulate air over the coil.
The condenser must be cleaned on the intake side. Before shutting down the power to the air conditioning unit, check the direction of the air movement.

To clean the condenser, follow the steps below.

Step One
Remove any grass, vines, or weeds that are growing around the condenser unit; they may be obstructing the airflow.

Step Two
Clean the condenser with a coil cleaner.
Instructions for using the cleaner will be provided by the manufacturer. Flush the coil clean with water.

Step Three
Clean the fins with a brush to remove the dirt. In order to reach the fins, it may be necessary to remove the outer grill. Do not attempt to clean the fins with a garden hose; water could cause the dirt to clump. This would result in compacting the fins with mud. Use care when cleaning the fins because they can be damaged easily. If any of the fins look bent, try to straighten them out with a fin comb. This special tool is designed to get into the spaces between the fins. A fin comb can be purchased.

Step Four
Inspect the concrete pad that the condenser rests on to ensure that it is level. Use a carpenter's level on all sides of the unit to test it. If the concrete pad has settled, place rocks or gravel underneath the pad to level the unit.

Step Five
Check the compressor heater.

Step Six
Clean the condensing unit body panel.

Step Seven
Cover the body panel. Ensure all screws, nuts and bolts are tightly screwed.

Step Eight
Check all electrical components for proper tightening.

Step Nine
Power on the unit.

Step Ten
Check sight glass for vapour bubble or sign of moisture.

Step Eleven
Suppress all body vibration.

Step Twelve
Check high and low pressure with gauges.

Step Thirteen
Check inlet air temperature and out let temperature with thermometer.

Room or Window/Split Air Conditioning Units Maintenance Methodology.

There are many homes and apartments that use window or room air conditioning units. It's very important to maintain them so that they will run smoothly. Proper maintenance performed on these smaller units will evade malfunctions, and it will ensure that the units are operating at optimal efficiency levels.

*Ensure that the unit is powered off before commencing maintain.

Maintaining the Air Conditioning Filter
During warm weather months, the filter should be changed once each month. If the atmosphere is extremely dusty, the filter will need to be replaced twice a month during the summertime. Many room air conditioners are sold with washable filters that resemble sponge rubber. Clean this type of filter with water and a mild detergent. Rinse it well, and let it dry before replacing it.

Window Unit Power Cord
The power cord can become worn over time. To test it, remove the control panels and unscrew the terminals. Place a testing wire over the bare lead wires. Use a volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) that is set to the RX1 scale, and attach it to the plug of the cord. If the meter registers zero, the cord is functional. If the meter registers above zero, the cord should be replaced. A VOM can be purchased.

Condenser and Evaporator Coils
The condenser and evaporator coils will need to be cleaned using a coil cleaner.
In very dusty areas, clean it twice a month. If the fins are bent, they can be straightened out by using a fin comb.

Maintaining the Air Conditioning Switch
The switch is located behind the control panel, and it turns the unit on. If the unit is not running, and it is receiving power, it's probably due to a bad switch. To remedy this problem, take the control panel off, and locate the switch. Inspect the switch terminals for signs of burning. Replace it with the same type of switch as the original one.

Window Unit Thermostat Maintenance
Maintaining the thermostat and the drain ports are vital for room air conditioning or window units. To maintain the thermostat and drain ports properly, follow the steps below.

Step One
Remove the grill and the control panel. The thermostat has a special sensor bulb that is attached to it. The sensor bulb extends from the thermostat to the evaporator coil. The role of the sensor bulb is to sense the temperature.

Step Two
Remove the thermostat very carefully because it will have to be replaced in its identical position later on. To make replacing it easier, tag the location of the bulb before removing the thermostat.

Step Three
Test the thermostat by using a VOM that is set to RX1 scale. Attach the probes of the tester to the terminals. Turn the temperature controls to the coolest setting. If the meter registers zero, the thermostat is functional. If the meter registers above zero, replace the thermostat with the same type as the original thermostat.

Maintaining Window Unit Drain Ports
Drain ports often become clogged. This results in water that leaks from the unit. To prevent clogs, clean each of the ports with a short piece of wire hanger or the blade of a pocket knife. Do this once each month. Additionally, check the condenser side of the unit. Some models feature a drain port at the bottom edge of the frame. If the unit has this type of drain port, clean it when cleaning the other ports.
The compressor, fan, and the motor also require routine maintenance to keep window or room air conditioners running efficiently.

Window Unit Fan Maintenance

When a window unit fan stops functioning, the cause is usually dirty or loose blades. If the fan is noisy, cleaning or tightening the blades will usually remedy the problem. To properly maintain a window unit fan, follow the directions below.
Open the cabinet and locate the fan. Clean any dirt or debris with a vacuum and a cloth. Check the fan for signs of looseness. The blade is attached to the shaft with a setscrew at the hub of the blade. Tighten the setscrew. If the unit has a round vent fan, tighten the fan on the motor shaft by inserting a long blade screwdriver through the port in the fan. Apply a few drops of detergent-free motor oil in the oil ports. Do this at the start of each cooling season.
To test the motor, use a VOM set to RX1 scale. Disconnect the terminal wires and attach the probes of the VOM to the wires. If the meter registers within the range of 3 to 30 ohms, the motor is working properly. However, if the meter registers zero or a very high number, replace it.
To replace the fan, remove the fan motor, the power wires, the fan, and the mounting bolts. Replace the motor by using these steps in reverse.

Good Maintenance is Well Worth the Effort
General Air Conditioner Coil Cleaning Work Methodology.

Because Dirty Coils Won't Come to You When dirt and grime coats your air conditioner's coils it's forced to work harder, and it costs more to run.
Studies show efficiency gains of 16% simply from coil cleaning. But coils have to be cleaned properly or they can be permanently damaged.
Even worse, dangerous bacteria can multiply in a poorly maintained system, posing health risks like asthma, nausea and more. Air conditioners aren't always designed for maintenance -- air handler coils are notoriously difficult to access, and condenser coils can be hundreds of yards from a power and water supply. But with the right tools, you can maintain a safe, efficient system no matter where your coils are.
? Shut down the system.
? Find the air handlers and get good access to the coils. Install removable panels, if needed.
? Vacuum coils and fins to remove dry debris. The 2-speed CoilVac, designed for tight spaces, works as both a vacuum and blower to reach dust and dirt on every surface.
? Be sure the condensate pan and line are free from blockage before you start wet cleaning.
? High pressure cleaning equipment can damage delicate fins, and high flow units can overwhelm drain pans. An ideal system delivers around 125 psi and 1/2 gallon/minute, like the CoilPro CC-JR.
? Spray on non-caustic, non-fuming CoilShine and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. The thick foam clings to the coils, allowing the chemical important "dwell time" to loosen sticky biofilm deposits.
? Rinse, and repeat if necessary.
? Treat coil and plenum with an EPA-registered mold inhibitor like CoilShine BC to inhibit dangerous bacterial and mold growth.
? Clean the condensate pan and drain line. Use drain pan biocide tablets to minimize the risk of future blockage and flooding.
? Restart the system.
? Shut off the unit.
? Establish access to water and power. The CC-140 is a self-contained, wheel-in source of power, water and detergent.
? Avoid high pressure cleaning systems which can damage fins.
? Apply a non-caustic cleaner that will cling to the coils, and let it sit for a few minutes to penetrate sticky residue.
? Flush coils with water, working opposite the airflow to push dirt out the way it came in.
? Power up the unit.

General HVAC Water Condenser Tube Cleaning Work Methodology.

Keep Your Tower Water Sparkling Clean
It's no surprise that cooling tower water can get dirty -- even filthy. Before you know it there's 1/2" of slime and sludge coating the basin floor. Dirty tower water fouls chiller tubes, slashing
efficiency. And don't get us started on the threat of Legionella bacteria colonizing a tower. You don't want to go there. In fact, there's no reason to put up with dirty tower water. Not ever. Sure, it used to be a hassle to clean a cooling tower. But with the right equipment your water can always be sparkling clean. Some of our customers clean their basins monthly, or even more often. It's no big deal with the CTV-1501 TowerVac. A simple way to maintain a safe, efficient tower? It's a no-brainer.
CLEANING A COOLING TOWER
? Turn off fans.
? ID tower maintenance issues. Examine the basin for sludge; look for fouling on the tower fill.
? Wear protection. A breathing apparatus minimizes your exposure to harmful microorganisms.
? Consider using MoldTek or MoldTek-XC on cooling tower surfaces to kill bacteria like Legionella, or add it directly into the water prior to cleaning.
? Use the CTV-1501 TowerVac to clean the basin floor without having to drain the system or shut it down.
? Connect to a power supply and drainage outlet.
? Choose the attachment suited to the space.
? Vacuum while the tower is online. The TowerVac safely pumps muck and water down the drain.
? If you want to reclaim water, or your state or authority requires it, use the CTV-F2 water filter to return clean, reusable water to the basin.
? Top up tower water to operating levels.
? Consider adding ScaleBreak to the water in your system to minimize future fouling and keep scale issues at bay.
? If tower fill is fouled, spray on TowerShine foaming detergent with the TFC-100 to dissolve deposits. Rinse.
? Drain and clean the entire system at least twice a year. Disinfect thoroughly after shutdown and again before startup

Official website of Akpo Oyegwa Refrigeration Company: https://www.nigeriacontractor.com/

7th Floor Mulliner Towers,
39 Alfred Rewane Road,
Ikoyi
Lagos, Nigeria.

Maintaining an air conditioning unit is not a complicated task; however, there are occasions when a unit will have to be replaced. The process of replacing an air conditioner is easy, but there are factors that must be considered before a replacement is made. Some of these factors are the square footage of the home or rooms to be cooled, budget, and installation/labor costs. Contact Akpo Oyegwa Refrigeration Company for air conditioning maintenance service. https://www.nigeriacontractor.com/

This release was published on openPR.