How to Maintain Air Conditioner?

Air conditioner is a good appliance to get relief from scorching summer. It requires periodic maintenance like other items of the house. The homeowners can use the following points to maintain air conditioners properly.

Maintenance of air conditioner during summer 

• Uncover air conditioner before switching on: Before you switch on air conditioner, make sure that condensing unit is not covered. For proper functioning the conditioner draws air from outside and then circulates the air inside the home. Some people intentionally cover their air conditioners to protect elements during winter season, but these units are designed to keep it outside and don’t need any protection.   
• Remove any nearby obstruction: For smooth working of air conditioner, there should be no obstruction like newspaper and leaves around the exterior of air conditioner. If there is any obstruction like cover, furniture, bags of leaves and lawn clippings in the way of drawing air from outside, the process of air conditioner is disturbed as it is unable to draw enough outside air. Many homeowners forget to remove stacked lawn furniture and other items placed near air conditioners.
• Ensure all panels are fixed properly: All access panels of air conditioner are secure in all respects, with the help of all screws fixed in proper position.
• Set thermostat at proper temperature: The thermostat should be set in cooling mode. Just setting the dial below room temperature will not activate cooling if it is set in the heat mode.    
• Change air filter regularly: For smooth working of air conditioner and obtaining maximum efficiency, change air filter regularly. When the filter becomes dirty, disposable fiberglass filter should be replaced by a new one. Electrostatic or electronic filters should be washed regularly. 
• Keep air conditioners clean: Thoroughly cleaned air conditioning unit will provide maximum efficiency. Homeowner must avoid cleaning it by self with hose and water because it may create electrical shock and sorting of electrical components.    
• Check air fuel mixture: Whenever it is essential, check air fuel mixture.

Maintenance of air conditioner before the beginning of summer

It is said that regular maintenance is less costly than repairs or even replacement later on. In the same way air conditioner of winter slumber needs just a few following steps for its maintenance.

• Remove air conditioner from it frame: The air conditioner should be unplugged from wall socket. Remove outside cover and front access cover of air conditioner. And remove air conditioning unit from its mounting frame also.
• Vacuum condenser coil with brush: After removing the unit outside, the condenser coil should be vacuumed with the help of soft brush. Pour showers from hose inside the coils to do cleaning. Care should be taken that motor does not to get damp during this process.   
• Check condenser coil fins for straightness: Condenser coil cooling fins should be checked for their straightness. Use coil fin comb for straightening bent up fins. It should be ensured that the teeth of coil fin comb are equal to the fins per inch of the coil. Start the process carefully and draw the comb across bent coil fins for straightening coil fins.      
• Replace damaged air filter: Check the foam of air filter and replace if it is damaged. If air filter is dirty, wash the filter with dish soap and water and then replace after it is dry. 
• Reinstall the conditioner after cleaning: After cleaning, replace the conditioner back into its frame. Reinstall front cover and fix all access panels properly with screws.

Now, plug air conditioner in wall socket for use.