Everyone strives to create comfortable conditions in the apartment, therefore, they often install air conditioners that cool (heat) the air and create a favorable temperature in the room. But it's one thing to install, and another is not to forget that the air conditioner requires care and cleaning.
When is it time to clean the air conditioner?
It's time to clean the air conditioner if, when you turn on the device:
- the nose catches foreign unpleasant odors;
- strange sounds are heard;
- power drops;
- energy costs are increasing.
Before carrying out any work, the air conditioner must be disconnected from the mains.
How to clean the outdoor unit of the air conditioner?
If a large amount of dust accumulates on the outdoor unit, natural debris - feathery or poplar fluff, then not only the power of the air conditioner decreases, but the power consumption increases, but the device also begins to overheat. Therefore, the housing must be cleaned.
There are several ways to clean the outdoor unit of the air conditioner:
- One of the most common cleaning methods is a regular brush, which is used to gently sweep away debris. Of course, this method is ineffective, but it is the simplest and most affordable.
- Some people use automotive cleaners to clean the body. They dissolve dirt quickly enough and have really worked well.
- The most powerful method is high pressure cleaning, which is used by experts:
How often should it be washed? It depends on how high it is fixed. Hosts living on low floors (1-4) need to wash before each start-up of the device in the season. But the residents of the upper floors (7-8), where there is little dust and pollution in the air, can be cleaned once every 2-3 years. Above the 10th floor, almost no pollution is observed, so you can remember about washing the outer casing of the air conditioner once every 3-4 years.
Cleaning the indoor unit of the air conditioner
The inner block should be washed regularly and more often than the outer one. Some nodes need to be cleaned once every 2 weeks, others less often, depending on how quickly they get dirty and what task they carry.
Filters
The main task of internal filters is to filter air, retain dust and various contaminants. They make the air cleaner, so they need regular cleaning. Air conditioner manufacturers recommend cleaning them every 2 weeks. Despite the simple operation, many people forget about it, and as a result - odors in the room or breakdown of the split system.
Cleaning algorithm:
- Remove the cover of the indoor unit.
- Carefully take out the filter.
- Place it in a container of soapy water for 3 minutes.
- Then rinse under running warm water.
- Dries naturally. They cannot be exposed to hot air.
- Set in place.
The filter is fragile. Therefore, it is forbidden to use hot water, abrasives, solvents and bleach to wash it. They can deform and damage the part.
There are two types of filters - mesh and pocket filters. If the first type can be washed and dried repeatedly, then the pocket ones have an expiration date. If over time the air conditioner starts to work worse even after the cleaning procedure, then it is time to replace the cassette filter.
Rotary turbine
With regular cleaning of filters, it is cleaned once a year in the fall or as it gets dirty. How to proceed:
- Open the cover of the indoor unit and remove the filter.
- A soapy solution is applied to all blades using a long-bristled brush.
- Leave for 5 minutes. Cellophane is placed under the diffuser grill and the turbine is turned on. All dirt and debris from the rotor is blown out onto the floor.
- Once again, the parts are cleaned from the remnants of dirt.
- Replace the filter and close the lid.
Evaporator grill
It is a system of tubes in which freon evaporates.
If you notice rust on the metal parts during cleaning, immediately contact the service center.
Cleaning is carried out in the following sequence:
- Open the lid of the split system.
- Remove the front grill that covers the heat exchanger.
- Take a soft brush with a long handle and a vacuum cleaner.
- Using a brush, gently clean off dust and dirt, and collect with a vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle.
Drainage
Stagnation in the drainage system provokes the development of mold. And clogging of the tubes with dirt and fat deposits leads to a breakdown of the split system. Therefore, the drain pan is periodically washed from dirt and excess moisture. After all, mold easily and quickly spreads along the walls and fins of the radiator and can become a source of a musty smell.
The drainage system is cleaned, depending on the degree of contamination, in various ways:
- For light pollution it is simply washed with clean water or soap, dishwashing detergent is added. Through the heat exchanger, the liquid itself enters the drain.
- If there is a blockage or dirt has accumulated inside the tube, then disconnect the drain for flushing. The pipeline is blown out with a vacuum cleaner, thereby removing the blockage and cleaning it from accumulated dirt.
- When heavily soiled use the most time-consuming, but very effective method - parsing the block. To do this, the air conditioner will have to be completely disassembled in parts. The pipeline is pulled out, purged and flushed along its entire length, cleaning all bends and loops.
When the split system is completely washed and put in order, antibacterial cleaning becomes the final stage. It removes foreign odors, gets rid of germs, fungi and mold. To do this, the air conditioner is turned on at maximum power, the mode is cooling, and a spray is sprayed inside to clean the air conditioners.
Air conditioner cleaners
There are special products for washing air conditioners. On store shelves, they are represented by a wide assortment. These are mainly aerosols and foam in cans. They are used to clean the heat exchanger and drainage system.
Aerosols and sprays
How to clean:
- The air conditioner is turned on at low power.
- Spray the aerosol through the holes onto the heat exchanger.
- Wait 10-15 minutes for the purifier to operate.
- Ventilate and dry the device in ventilation mode (see also - what are the modes in the air conditioner).
Some products must be washed off additionally from the heat exchanger, the manufacturer must indicate this on the packaging.
Less funds: They are quickly consumed - on average, they are enough for 2 cleanings, and with heavy pollution, they do not always cope with the task at all.
Foam
Foam is more often used to clean only the heat exchanger. How to clean:
- The can is shaken well.
- Spray evenly onto the heat exchanger.
- After a while, it turns into a liquid and, together with impurities, goes into the drainage system.
- After cleaning, turn on the ventilation to dry.
Video: Disassembling and cleaning the air conditioner
The maintenance of the air conditioner - cleaning filters and other elements of the indoor unit, will be described in the following video:
Whichever cleaning method is chosen, you can safely wash the filters and the outdoor unit on your own. For deep washing of the internal system, it is better to call professionals, since any, even the smallest violation, can lead to malfunction of the system or to its breakdown.
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