Before turning on the central air conditioning for the first time, it is a good idea to check over the system to ensure it is in good operating order. Here are some tips to maintaining your home’s air conditioning system.
Before turning on the central air conditioning for the first time, it is a good idea to check over the system to ensure it is in good operating order. Here are some tips to maintaining your home’s air conditioning system.
Before starting any maintenance or work on an air conditioning system, ensure all power to the system is off. This includes both the evaporator assembly and the condenser.
The Evaporator
One of the first steps to maintaining your home’s air conditioning system in good working order is to clean the evaporator. The evaporator is usually located above the furnace in the ducts. It may not be easily accessible, but if it is, it should be cleaned at least once annually.
Some evaporators are wrapped with insulation which can be moved aside to clean the evaporator. If the evaporator is wrapped in insulation, carefully remove the insulation and keep any tape to reuse later.
Using a stiff brush, clean the underside of the evaporator. It helps to use a hand mirror to see the underside of the evaporator where you are cleaning. The evaporator may have to be slid out a bit to clean the entire bottom, but be careful not to bend any pipes attached.
Clean the condensation tray below the evaporator. If the weep hole gets clogged, just use a piece of wire such as a straightened coat hanger, to reopen it.
Once the tray is dry and clean again, put the evaporator unit back together again, re-wrap the insulation around it and tape it back into place. Turn on the air conditioner and check for any air leaks. Seal them with duct tape if there are any.
The Condenser
The condenser for most central air conditioning systems will be located outside the home. This makes them prone to collecting dust and debris from lawn mowing, trees, and airborne dust. Since a condenser has a fan that moves air across its coil, this coil must be cleaned on the intake side on a regular basis.
Next, using a commercial coil cleaner, flush the coil clean and let it air dry. It is not recommended to use a water hose to clean the fins since any dirt or debris could turn to mud and become compacted in the fins.
The fins are usually made from lightweight aluminum and are damaged easily, so be very careful when cleaning them. Use a fin comb to straighten any that are bent.
The condenser should be covered during the fall and winter to protect it from the elements, as well as ice damage or leaf blockage. Commercial condenser covers are made to fit the exact shape and provide maximum protection, but a heavy weight plastic sheet tied down with tie-downs or cords will work, too.
Keeping up with annual maintenance on your home’s central air conditioning system is the best way to prolong it operating life and prevent any needless and expensive repair costs. While some repairs will require a professional, minor maintenance can save you money and time.
One of the first steps to maintaining your home’s air conditioning system in good working order is to clean the evaporator. Some evaporators are wrapped with insulation which can be moved aside to clean the evaporator. Using a stiff brush, clean the underside of the evaporator. It helps to use a hand mirror to see the underside of the evaporator where you are cleaning. Once the tray is dry and clean again, put the evaporator unit back together again, re-wrap the insulation around it and tape it back into place. Furnace-Repair-Edmonton