With the recurrence of heat episodes during the previous summers, more and more households are investing in the installation of an air conditioning system. This equipment designed to improve your comfort nevertheless requires regular cleaning. Dusting, checking the operating condition, annual maintenance contract… Discover the essential gestures.
Why should you have your air conditioning serviced?
As with any equipment of this magnitude, it is unthinkable to use air conditioning (or air/air heat pump) without respecting a few simple cleaning gestures. By ensuring regular cleaning of your device, you are above all helping it to function properly over the long term.
Optimized life span and capacities
It’s a fact that an air conditioner that is regularly cleaned will function perfectly and consume only a small amount of energy. With a high seasonal performance index, this equipment now has indisputable energy qualities that will help you save energy.
A lack of maintenance can have consequences on the capacities but also on the lifespan of your air conditioning. Constant vigilance on your installation will allow you to check that no external factor prevents its good functioning, or to detect a possible technical failure (leak, abnormal noise…).
A health issue
Studies show that too few air conditioners are cleaned regularly. However, this simple gesture is also important for your health and the health of those around you.
Indeed, this equipment can stir up to 8 times the volume of air present in a room, in one hour. Its technology allows it to suck up dust, bacteria, dust mites and pollutants from the air. They pass through the filters in the indoor unit. If these filters are never cleaned, the air quality in the room being ventilated can deteriorate. A factor that can harm the health of the most fragile.
When to maintain your air conditioning?
As we have seen previously, it is essential that you regularly clean your air conditioning. But how often?
In periods of heavy use, mainly in summer, a period of two to three weeks between each cleaning should be respected. Since your equipment operates more often, the filters can quickly become soiled with dust. Depending on the model, an indicator light will come on when your air conditioning needs to be serviced. In this case, don’t delay!
Some parts will also need to be changed, such as the activated carbon filter, which is present to eliminate bad odours. The latter should be changed every year to maintain the efficiency of your unit.
Cleaning steps
As detailed in the documentation for your appliance, there are several simple steps to take to maintain your air conditioning system. Although an annual check-up by Aircon Experts is mandatory, you can do it yourself on certain elements.
Filter maintenance
Let’s start with the indoor unit of your air conditioner. There are several steps to take:
– Open the cover and remove the filters
– Remove dust from the filters over a trash can, and then vacuum the filters with a narrow nozzle to remove embedded dust and impurities
– Clean the filters with warm, soapy water and a sponge. If the filter is very dirty, let it soak for a few minutes
– Dry the filters completely and reposition them in the unit
– If your equipment has an active carbon filter, clean it with water, without soap, and replace it once it is dry.
– Finally, wipe the unit’s shell with a soft cloth.
As a general rule, manufacturers recommend that you use soapy water instead of household cleaning products and that you never use any form of solvent. This could damage the hull or the interior components.
The last little tip, in the case of a reversible air conditioning system, reverses the cycles for a few minutes according to the season (switch to cold mode in winter and hot mode in summer). This will avoid premature blocking of the valve required for these changes. It could seize up if left unused for too long.
Ensure air circulation
Your outdoor unit should not be forgotten. In particular, you’ll need to make sure that the airflow around the unit is good. To do this, make sure there are no obstacles, such as dead leaves or branches, blocking the airflow.
You can also wipe the walls of the outdoor unit with a damp cloth to remove any dirt. This will prevent premature wear or corrosion of the equipment.
Finally, you can check the condensate pan of your air conditioner. The latter collects the water resulting from the condensation of steam after it has passed through the cold circuit. By emptying it regularly, you avoid the inconvenience of stagnant water or the flow of this liquid on your installation.
By carrying out these various actions, you will ensure that your appliance is working properly. These checks will allow you to monitor any problems, especially traces of a refrigerant leak, to be reported to aircon experts as soon as possible.