\n\nDon\u2019t we love air conditioners? Imagine staying in an apartment without air condition in the scorching May weather. Sadly, we often forget servicing the air conditioner during our regular maintenance routines. An ineffective cooling unit needs to work twice as hard to keep you cool and this comes with a large monthly energy bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Homeowners should ensure that the check their cooling systems to ensure that they\u2019re in top condition. In fact, a properly maintained system could outlive your house. Here are five air conditioning service routines you should be familiar with. You\u2019ll be using a screwdriver most of the times. However, hire an expert if do-it-yourself crafts aren\u2019t your cup of tea. Newer air conditioners rarely have leaks. Older units, on the other hand, use bolted fittings that tend to get loose as a result of vibrations. These movements cause leakages that may end up in permanent damage to your unit if left unfixed. Ensure that you remove all dirt and dust particles. In addition to decreasing your system\u2019s efficiency, they house harmful pathogens that may trigger allergies. If you\u2019re living with an asthma patient, make a point of cleaning the filter monthly. If you own a fluke, have fun ensuring that all capacitors are discharging as they should. Look at the electrical connections and give them a slight push to confirm that they\u2019re secured in place. Electrical fires and electrocutions are nasty surprises you want to avoid. Before fitting the access panel, take one final look and see if there\u2019s excessive pitting. This is how overheating starts. Seek assistance from a qualified air condition experts if you\u2019re sceptical of your workmanship. Older generation fan motors need to be oiled twice as often. Thankfully, they are easier to disassemble. You may use a garden house when rinsing the external walls. However, never use power washers as they\u2019re too powerful. Those fins on the coil are fragile. Exercise caution. Trim any vegetation that\u2019s close to the unit. They may be interfering with the air intake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t we love air conditioners? Imagine staying in an apartment without air condition in the scorching May weather. Sadly, we often forget servicing the air conditioner during our regular maintenance<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":503,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"yoast_head":"\n
1. Know when to top up aircon gas<\/strong>
There are mixed views on this. Many people think that air conditioning units need to be topped up with Freon (the refrigerant) gas regularly the same way we refill engine oil in cars. They\u2019re all wrong. Ideally, the cooling gas should never be refilled or replaced. It\u2019s never used up. If you notice that there\u2019s a low gas level in unit, then there must be leaks. Do not refill the gas before sealing the leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Cleaning the filter<\/strong>
There are two type of air filter units \u2013 reusable ones and replaceable ones. This is arguably the most important maintenance routine. The filer should be cleaned (or replaced) once every two months. Air filters may be installed at different locations. Start by checking the return grill in your living room. Many installers prefer to fit it here because of the ease of access. If it\u2019s not here then it must be near your furnace or close to the air blower compartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Double-check the wiring<\/strong>
First things first, ensure that that the ventilation circuit is switched off. If you\u2019re unable to find this circuit on your consumer unit, hit the main switch instead. It\u2019s safer in fact.
Then, find your condensing unit and open the access panel. You may or may not need a screwdriver depending on the exact model. Consult the manufacturer’s manual for specific instructions. Are there any visible signs of overheating? You may not know what\u2019s wrong but you\u2019ll recognize a fault when you see one. Consult an electrician if you see blackened wires, dark wires or missing insulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Check the thermostat<\/strong>
This is the sensor\u2019 that determines what temperature the AC works at. If your home has a mechanical thermostat, consider getting a programmable one. They are both reliable and durable. With a programmable thermostat, you can schedule your AC to start warming your house thirty minutes before you get there.
This is a neat trick to ensuring that the air conditioner goes off as soon as you leave for work and gets up thirty minutes before you\u2019re home. You always come home to a comfortable, inviting house without having to leave your AC running when there \u2019s no one around.
5. Check for clogging in the condenser unit fan<\/strong>
Start by turning off your air conditioner. Go to the condenser unit. It\u2019s the big white box outside. You may need a ladder to gain access. Check if all blades are present on the fan. Give it a slight push. If you hear creaking sounds, apply grease to the brushes before they wear out due to friction. Replace the fan blades when you see signs of chipping or cracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Manually clean the outside unit<\/strong>
Get a soft brush, soapy water, an old rag and put on your get-to-work shorts. You are going to scrub off grass clippings, leaves, dead bugs and dust from the outside unit. Physical debris blocks air flow reducing the system\u2019s efficiency. Stubborn dirt usually accumulates on the fan grill. You may need to use a cleaning solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Gently clean the evaporator coils<\/strong>
They are dust magnets. Dirt, dust and debris stick to them. They act as insulators reducing the coil\u2019s cooling capacity. Have them cleaned annually and you\u2019re good to go.
8. Cover the compressor unit when it\u2019s not in use<\/strong>
In Singapore, air conditioners are rarely switched on during the cold months. If you have an outside fitted air conditioning unit, cover it up with a large cloth or rag. It will act as a physical barrier keeping dust particles and dirt from accumulating on your compressor unit.
9. Have professionals service your unit regularly<\/strong>
Heating professionals advise that you should have your cooling system serviced twice a year. There is a hot debate on whether this is essential or it\u2019s a marketing gimmick they devised to keep them in business. Save yourself the headaches and let them ensure that all parts of the AC are working as they should. You will have peace of mind (and save a few repair bucks too)\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"