The air conditioner spends several months collecting dirt and bacteria throughout the winter when it is not running. Get ahead of the heat and get it ready for summer. The heat arrives like every year, suddenly, and surprises those who have not prepared. And you should think twice before turning on that air conditioner without cleaning it from one year to the next, as it will have accumulated dirt and bacteria throughout the winter. All these devices spend months gathering dust. We all forget about the aircon chemical wash in Singapore, but one day the temperatures rise again and we have the air conditioning without cleaning or having it set up. In this article, we show you how to clean and tune up the air conditioner in easy steps.
Importance of cleaning the air conditioner
First of all, if the heat arrives and you have your air conditioner uncleaned, don’t worry. Unless you live in an area that is too hot, you can survive without this device. But if you have it at home, it is better to clean it and get it ready. Furthermore, so that you can discover how important it is to clean air conditioning filters, we show you the main advantages of cleaning and tuning it up:
- The air that your air conditioner will expel will be purer, without dirt or bacteria. This is crucial for those who have respiratory problems.
- You’ll see an increase in energy efficiency, since it will use less energy to cool the same thing if it is clean.
- You will reduce the probability of breakdowns and the device will work for longer if you keep it in perfect condition.
- You will also avoid bad odors every time you turn it on.
How often should we clean the air conditioning?
Generally, it is recommended to clean the air conditioner before and after long-term use . That is, at the beginning and end of summer. However, if your air conditioner has a heat pump, you should also clean it at the beginning and end of winter.
You could always pay someone else to complete this task, but you can also do it yourself, since it is not complicated at all and will not take you more than 30 minutes . But remember that if your air conditioning installation has more than 5 kW of power, maintenance must be carried out by an authorized professional.
How to clean the air conditioner
So, do you want to know how to clean and tune up the air conditioner? First of all, you must respect the following rule: do not turn on your air conditioner if you have not used it for months . If you do it, even for a very short time, the only thing you will achieve is spread dirt and bacteria throughout the room. This is the correct way to clean the air conditioner.
1- Clean air conditioning filters
The filter is responsible for ensuring that the quality of the air you are going to breathe is healthy, since it collects mites, bacteria and viruses . To clean it, you just have to open the lower split cover, remove the filter holder and gently vacuum it. If you see them very dirty, before cleaning air conditioning filters you can immerse them in cold water, never hot or you could damage them . You can also even brush them with antibacterial soap and rinse them with plenty of water. Dry them off in a place away from any heat sources or direct sunshine.
Finally, remember to thoroughly clean the tubes that are in the split, just behind the filters. This will remove all the accumulated bacteria. Leave it open for a while to dry, and after a few hours, put everything back in its place.
2- Clean the interior split
To clean the interior split of your air conditioner, you only need a little soapy water. Focus especially on the grates, it is the place where most of the dirt accumulates. Once you’re done, dry the entire area with a clean cloth.
3- Check the outdoor unit
This step is best done by a professional, but if you have already done it before or know how to do it, go ahead. First of all, check that both the air inlets and the drain pipe are not clogged. It is also essential to clean the exchange battery with a brush or pressurized air, this way you will ensure its proper functioning.
4- Observe the refrigerant gas levels
Check the refrigerant gas charge of your air conditioner to make sure there are no leaks. If your appliance uses a lot of gas in one summer, it is a clue that leaks are happening. If so, contact a professional provider of aircon gas top up in Singapore to fix it.
5- Use your air conditioner consciously
Do not abuse these devices, even if you have just cleaned air conditioning filters. A temperature above 25 degrees is more than enough to achieve a comfortable environment. Also, if you have a smart or reduced tariff, turn it on only during those hours when its consumption will cost you much less. Do not change the temperature all the time, that will produce greater electricity consumption. And cover your appliance with a protector until next season, then it will be easier to clean the air conditioner.
Finally, you just have to remember to turn it off before going to bed, be responsible and do not use more energy than necessary.
6- What if it ends up breaking?
Anything that works, especially electrical devices, can stop working at any time. Including your air conditioner, and it’s normal for it to fail when it’s hotter. It is not bad luck, it is that the risk increases by demanding more and more from your devices.
There is another basic rule, and that is that prevention is always cheaper than cure . What we mean is that, with good maintenance, we can save a lot of money. This will ensure the good condition of your air conditioner.
HOW TO CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER
Once you have cleaned the internal part of the air conditioner, it is time to clean the part that is on the outside of the house. The condenser pump, the fan, and the expansion valve are among the technical parts of the air conditioner found in the outside unit. You should know that there are protective covers to protect the device from possible damage it may suffer and also to prevent dust from accumulating inside.
- If it is installed in an accessible place, the first thing you should do is check the state of the supports.
- Next, be sure to unplug the device and with a damp cloth remove all dirt from the surface.
- Now, clean the dust that accumulates on the air inlet fins. To clean the dust that has accumulated inside you can wash it with a powerful vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth.
- When everything is clean, replace the covers that you have removed and wait about 24 hours to connect the device again, make sure it is completely dry.
Clean the air conditioning drain
Each air conditioner has its own drainage system to expel excess water. Normally, for every hour of operation, between 2 and 5 liters can be ejected. Thus, it is very important to remove the water regularly so that it does not accumulate or cause bad odors. Also, whenever possible, the tank should be cleaned so that it does not get clogged.
HOW TO REMOVE YELLOW FROM AN AIR CONDITIONER
Is the plastic of the air conditioner yellow? By following these few easy and simple steps you can remove the yellow color from your air conditioner and return it to its original white color in no time.
What do you need?
- Wet rag
- dry cloth
- Sodium bicarbonate
Step by Step
- Step 1 . Clean the device with a damp cloth (if you want to clean it thoroughly, see the previous steps).
- Step 2 . Mix about 4 cups of water with 1/4 cup of baking soda. Use gloves to protect yourself.
- Step 3 . Using a damp cloth, clean the entire surface with the mixture and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Step 4 . Remove the mixture and dry the entire surface with a dry cloth.
WHEN TO CLEAN THE AIR CONDITIONING
For optimum performance, it’s crucial to keep your air conditioner in top condition. Wondering how to clean and tune up the air conditioner? Depending on the use you give to the air conditioner, you will have to clean it more or less frequently. Of course, it is highly recommended to hire experts like Nature Cool to clean it every time you change the air mode: from cold to hot and vice versa. Following these instructions, you should clean the air conditioning at the beginning and end of summer. In this way, the filters will not get clogged and will be able to stop any unwanted dirt particles, thus ensuring that the air in your home is cleaner.
