6 steps to self-maintain your air conditioner at home to save money

1. Check machine operation

• Before servicing the air conditioner, check the external condition of the condenser/cooler (case); check the electrical connections to see if they meet the requirements and are safe; check the ventilation capacity of the condenser/cooler; remove any obstructions if necessary.

2. Clean the condenser

The condenser is in contact with the outside environment with a lot of dirt and insects, so it needs to be cleaned properly. Remove the condenser cover, use a small pressure pump to spray water in a jet form into the radiator slots to clean off the dirt and insects. Pay attention to see if the condenser is carefully covered, the ground wire is intact, etc.

During the cleaning process, it is necessary to avoid denting the condenser. If the metal fins are deformed, use a thin, pointed object to straighten them vertically, avoiding puncturing the refrigerant pipes in the metal fins.

3. Clean the condenser

When cleaning the evaporator, use a pressure pump to spray water directly onto the evaporator, slowly spraying it onto the evaporator and evaporator fan until all dirt is gone. You can use specialized detergents to clean dirt and remove odors. Then, dry the evaporator and install it in the correct position.

Remember to check the drain hose as well.

4. Clean the air filter

Air filters are often covered with dust, directly affecting performance as well as the health and daily life of the family.

To clean the filter, first you need to remove the evaporator panel, pull out the filter and put it under the water machine and spray clean. Then shake it dry and put it back into the machine panel. The air filter is very easy to collect dust so it should be cleaned about 2-4 weeks/time.

5. Check the air conditioner gas flow

Check the amount of air conditioner gas by observing the 2 copper pipes connected to the condenser. If both the small and large pipes are not wet, not cold to the touch, the air blowing out of the condenser is not hot, contact a technician to refill the gas if necessary.

At the same time, check the gas pipe, especially at the joints to avoid gas leakage.

6. Test run the air conditioner

Test run is also a very important step in air conditioner maintenance. When testing, pay attention to the engine noise, impact sound, bad smell or not... to detect early errors that arise during the maintenance process.

If the machine runs smoothly, cools quickly and shows no signs of water leakage, the maintenance is successful.

Signs of air conditioning maintenance

- Noise is often emitted in the evaporator and outside the condenser; it will be especially noticeable at night.

- The wind blowing out from the evaporator is uneven and weak, usually only blowing at one corner of the evaporator. In some cases, the air conditioner evaporator blows out mist.

- Check the air conditioner gas pressure and see if it is below the allowable level; or check the starting current and see if it is lower or higher than the allowable level...

- The air conditioner gives off unpleasant odors.

- The electricity consumption of the air conditioner increased compared to previous months of use..