How to clean a household air conditioner. How to clean your air conditioner or split system

Any equipment eventually becomes covered with sewage and suggests the need for cleaning. The same goes for air conditioners. Their internal parts are absorbed by a thick layer of dust, because of this, the equipment can overheat, perform poorly and even fail. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out cleaning in a timely manner. And you can do without the help of a specialist. The implementation of such work is available to anyone who is at least a little versed in technology.

The need to clean the air conditioner

Cleaning is quite simple and short time can be carried out. However, many home masters are wondering if it is worth doing such manipulations. Experts point out the need to carry out these works, however, certain rules must be observed in order for the equipment to subsequently work properly. The only difficulty that people who clean up can face is disassembling the equipment. If the described work is not carried out in a timely manner, this may lead to a deterioration in sanitary conditions in the room where the device is located, among other things, an unpleasant odor may appear due to the development of bacteria inside the air conditioner. Dust can cause a decrease in the quality of the system, air cooling will not occur so intensively. The efficiency will be reduced due to the dust layer. You can also determine the frequency of such work, it will depend on the intensity of the load on the device. Experts advise cleaning every 6 months, as for household appliances. If we are talking about an office model, then these manipulations are performed every three months. If the system operates in a restaurant, club or any other public place, then cleansing should be done once a month.

Work on cleaning the indoor unit

If you will be cleaning the air conditioner with your own hands, then it is important not to forget about indoor unit. There is located air filter, which is most often made in the form of a drum or a rectangle. In order to remove this element, in most cases, simply remove the cover. It must be remembered that the air conditioner must be de-energized. After the cover is removed, the latter is removed to protect the filter from damage. The next step is to remove the air filter. It is recommended to wash it under running water. Using a vacuum cleaner, you need to blow, while the body itself is immersed in a basin of water. Do-it-yourself cleaning of the air conditioner involves drying the filter when vivo. This is due to the fact that this component of the device contains paper elements that will deform if exposed to hot air. Before the change of this part, about 8 cleanings can take place. During operation, the throughput will be reduced, the structure will be broken, which will negatively affect the operation of the device. The next step will be to work with a heat exchanger, which is made in the form of pipes, the refrigerant moves along the latter. Among other things, flows that occur when the fan is operating pass through it. During manipulations in which the heat exchanger is involved, work should be done with extreme caution. This is necessary to prevent damage internal parts. In this case, it is necessary to use a vacuum cleaner and brushes that have a long nap. This will eliminate all the dust that has accumulated inside. Do-it-yourself air conditioner cleaning can be done without using professional help. However, if you notice rust on the heat exchanger, then you will not be able to remove it yourself, this entails the need to call a specialist. Help will be needed in order to adjust the level of freon, the masters will help analyze how well it functions outdoor unit.

Cleaning the drainage system

If you are cleaning the Dantex air conditioner with your own hands, then work on the drainage system may be required. The need for these works is indicated by the absence of condensate removal. This circumstance suggests that the drainage system was clogged. This happens due to improper installation of the air conditioner. If the hose sags or is bent, then the condensate will also not be discharged. Dirt and impurities that form and accumulate in the drainage pan clog the pipeline. IN winter time the fluid freezes, causing an ice plug to form in the hose.

Drainage cleaning technology

If you will be cleaning the air conditioner with your own hands, it will be useful to consider the photo before starting work. This, perhaps, will make it possible to understand what the technology of manipulation is. In order to clean the drain, it is necessary to flush the indoor unit with water pressure. Next, the block that was partially disassembled is flushed. Drain hose it is necessary to blow it well with air, and then the drainage system of the disassembled unit is washed.

Car air conditioner cleaning

With your own hands it will be absolutely necessary if there is a need to work with automotive equipment. You can’t use a regular aerosol, it will only allow you to eliminate the unpleasant odor caused by bacteria.

First you need to dismantle the filter, then a hose with an extension is used, through which you need to enter detergent. At the next stage, the recirculation mode is turned on, it must be left for 10 minutes. The tube must be installed in the air duct and direct the jet to the surface of the evaporator. All liquid must be worked out, and then wait about 15 minutes. After the liquid has been worked out, it will exit through the drainage hole. Now the air conditioner must be turned on in recirculation mode. The fan can be set to maximum speed. When cleaning the LG air conditioner with your own hands, the next step is to leave the car by closing all doors and windows. The air conditioner should run for 10 minutes. Just so everything harmful substances removed from the device, after which they can no longer cause harm to health. The tube can be installed not in the duct, but in the hole from the drainage. From there, the waste liquid can also flow out. Now you know how to clean the drainage system of the air conditioner with your own hands. It will only be necessary to change the old filter in time, this will extend the life of the equipment.

deep cleaning

In order to make a more thorough cleaning, it is necessary to remove the capacitor, which is done by unscrewing the fasteners. The radiator must be treated with a substance that can eliminate the presence of insects. In this state, the element must be left for 15 minutes. Next, water is directed to the condenser under strong pressure, this will help wash the product off the surface. There is another cleaning method that involves the use of foam. If you clean the Panasonic air conditioner with your own hands, using this technology you can wash the evaporator. Foam for this must be fed into the evaporation unit through the drainage hole, which is located at the bottom of the car. You can use the air duct for this, which goes directly into the cabin. The foam will turn into a liquid that will leave the device on its own.

Features of cleaning with foam

The hose must be installed in the drain hole until it rests against the evaporator grate. Next, the foam can is strengthened to the end of the hose, but before that it must be shaken well. When holding the container in vertical position foam must be applied. The master should wait 20 minutes, during this period the foam will turn into a liquid. Only then can the air conditioner be put into operation. The air flow should be directed to the face or legs, while the damper should be in the closed position. The fan must be set to maximum power. The car is closed, while the device works for 10 minutes.

Conclusion

Now you know how to clean window air conditioner with your own hands. You can easily perform such manipulations on your own. However, before starting work, you need to make sure that you yourself can not only disassemble, but also assemble the equipment, because this is the only way to ensure its normal operation. This will allow the owners to save money on complex repairs.

Through any climatic equipment during its operation, a large amount of air is distilled, containing in its composition not only oxygen and ozone. The distilled air contains a lot of mechanical inclusions of different fractions, dust, bacteria and spores of pathogenic fungi, fluff and pet hair.
Perhaps all these contaminants would still be in the air if there were no filter elements in the design of the air conditioner. These filters require periodic cleaning or replacement. Filters are cleaned in various terms recommended by the manufacturer. They depend on the design of the air conditioner, its power and purpose. Sometimes cleaning is carried out, focusing on the "clinical" performance of the equipment.

Cleaning of climatic equipment - terms and reasons

Situations that make it necessary to clean a household split system do not occur often. However, sooner or later the user climate technology faces this problem, and, naturally, he is interested in how to clean the equipment - call the master, use the help of a specialized team of a cleaning company, or try to clean it on your own.

We will try to give accessible answers to some common air conditioner cleaning questions that users have, so that you know what work you can do yourself, and which can only be done by specialists.

The main question that most users of air conditioners are interested in is: “Why do you need to clean the split system yourself?”. It is clear that this is better handled by a specialist to whom you will pay a decent amount of money for this work. But is it worth parting with hard-earned money, giving it for work that is no more difficult to do than cleaning, for example, an ordinary vacuum cleaner?

After all, it would never occur to anyone to call a specialist to clean it.

An air conditioner that has not been cleaned for a long time accumulates a large amount of dust inside, the presence of which necessarily leads to various problems, including:

The microclimate in the room worsens significantly. Dust settles on all parts of the air conditioner, spreads throughout the room. It contributes to the appearance of allergic attacks in people who are in this room. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically ventilate it.

The air conditioning equipment stops functioning effectively. This is because dust and dirt accumulated in the filter elements of the air conditioner air currents can't circulate freely.

The efficiency of the equipment is significantly reduced, which is due to the fact that a large amount of dust has accumulated on the heat exchanger.

The risk of damage to the air conditioner increases, as air resistance increases, as a result of which the load increases, which the fan motor cannot withstand.

Cleaning the air conditioner according to its clinical indicators

The most striking manifestation of the fact that the air conditioner has not been on maintenance for a long time is an unpleasant smell that appears from indoor module equipment. This indicates that fungi and mold develop in it.

Every time you turn on the device, you contribute to the fact that disputes, in the amount of millions, spread throughout the room. Naturally, they are deposited in the respiratory system of its inhabitants, which can cause terrible diseases, such as asthma, allergic manifestations, and various kinds dermatitis.

As soon as you feel that a moldy smell is coming from the device, you should immediately start cleaning the inside of the air conditioner and its filter elements. If cleaning is not done in a timely manner, it is likely that you will soon have to repair your climate control device.

But not only the appearance of a smell indicates the need to clean the split systems. These activities are necessary if:

  1. The power of the air conditioner is reduced.
  2. The energy it consumes increases.
  3. Lines and connecting fittings are covered with ice.

Step-by-step cleaning of climate equipment

You can clean the air conditioner yourself in three stages:

  1. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter.
  2. They clean the "insides" of the internal module.
  3. Perform preventive cleaning of the outdoor unit.

Before proceeding with any work, it is necessary to completely disconnect the climate system from the electrical supply. For effective cleaning The internal filter elements of the air conditioner perform several steps in sequence, as described below:

It is recommended that you carefully read the instruction manual first. It indicates how to properly remove the filter from the split system. The most expensive models of climate equipment have a drum filter element, which functions much more efficiently than a flat one, since its curved surface is in contact with air with a larger plane.

Before cleaning, lay a piece of plastic wrap or paper around the split system - if the equipment has not been cleaned for a long time, then on it internal surfaces and a lot of dust has accumulated on the filter.

The next step in cleaning the filter element is to dismantle the equipment cover and remove the protective grid that holds the filter in place and protects it from any damage.

Next, the filter is dismantled and cleaned. To do this, first clean the dry filter with a vacuum cleaner or dry brush, and then rinse it under running cold water. Dry the filter element naturally, since it can deform if dried with hot air.

When the filter is completely dry, the air conditioner is assembled in reverse order, and then the power cord is connected to the mains.

Do not wash the same filter element more than eight times, as exposure to water adversely affects its bandwidth affecting the efficiency of all climate control equipment.

Self-cleaning of the indoor unit of split systems

You can clean the indoor unit of the split system yourself at home.
In addition to replacing or cleaning the filter elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, you can independently clean the evaporator heat exchanger from dust that accumulates and settles in it. The evaporator heat exchanger is the main part of the air conditioning equipment, which must be kept perfectly clean if you want the air conditioner to work well.

Cleaning the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

This design is assembled from tubes in which freon evaporates, as a result of which the evaporator is cooled. The airflow is cooled as it passes through the heat exchanger.

To clean the split system evaporator yourself, you must perform the following steps:

  1. The climate system is being de-energized.
  2. The protective grille is removed. In this case, the instructions given by the manufacturer must be strictly followed.
  3. Using a vacuum cleaner and a thin brush, clean the heat exchanger and the space between the tubes and the valves from dust.

If you notice that metal surface the heat exchanger shows signs of corrosion, be sure to contact service center. Otherwise, Freon may leak.

Assemble the device in reverse order

Sometimes it is necessary to clean the fan located in the indoor unit from dust and grease deposits. However, we do not recommend doing this work yourself. It is best to seek help from a service professional.

When cleaning the split system evaporator, do not use a hard brush or metal objects- they can easily damage the freon line and adversely affect the heat exchanger.

Cleaning the compressor block of split systems

A split system usually has a design in which its external unit must be located outdoors. This creates some difficulties and the impossibility of self-cleaning. Therefore, professional workers are invited to perform cleaning work.

Independent cleaning of the external unit of the split system.

You can wash the external unit of the air conditioner yourself. To carry out this work, you must perform the following steps:

De-energize the climate device, after which the plug is removed from the socket.

Using a soft brush and a cloth, the body of the unit is cleaned of dust and dirt.

A regular hose connects to a water supply or car wash. A jet of water is directed inside the equipment, thoroughly washing everything inside without opening the case of the external unit of the air conditioner.

After conscientious washing, excess water is removed from the equipment body.

After familiarizing yourself with the process of self-cleaning the air conditioner, you will be able to carry out these works. With timely and thorough cleaning of the equipment, you will decently extend its service life.

With the onset of the hot season for air conditioners, a really hot season begins - depending on the vagaries of the weather, the climate technology works with maximum load: After all, air pollution is higher in summer.

To protect yourself from an unexpected failure of the air conditioner, it must be cleaned regularly, preferably annually.

It happens that even if this rule is observed, the equipment begins to make uncharacteristic noises, water may suddenly drip from it, and when turned on, an unpleasant musty smell is felt.

This is due to the accumulation of dust and dust on the working surfaces of the air conditioner, which significantly reduces the effect of the device, while increasing its energy consumption.

Clean yourself?

Air conditioner, installed at home, can be cleaned both independently and by the forces of service specialists.

Let us consider the first option, since, subject to simple rules and recommendations, cleaning the air conditioner from dirt does not take much time. The regularity of the procedure will allow you to contact the masters as rarely as possible and save not only time, but also money.

The frequency of cleaning the air conditioner depends on the nature and purpose of the room in which it is located. The main indicator is the dust content of the air. If it is high, then you will have to clean the filters of the indoor unit at least 2 times a month.

As a rule, household air conditioners located in apartments need to be cleaned approximately once a month: household dust and moderate humidity in a residential area are quite acceptable for such a regime.

Cleaning the indoor unit

  • Open the top panel of the device. To do this, we take the side edges with both hands and carefully pull towards ourselves and slightly up until it stops. Of course, before these manipulations, the air conditioner must be disconnected from the network.
  • Before us will be mesh filters. We take them by the special ledges in the lower part and, slightly lifting them, pull them towards us. After that, we carry them to the bathroom and wash them with non-aggressive detergents.
If the filters are heavily soiled, they should be immersed in warm solution washing powder or shavings laundry soap and leave for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Be careful: the filters are made of thin plastic mesh which is easily damaged.
  • We insert the washed and completely dried filters into place, after which the indoor unit of the air conditioner is ready for further work.

If questionable odors are felt during the operation of the air conditioner, an antiseptic for the air conditioner will be required. But it can be fully replaced with disinfectants from a regular pharmacy.

For processing, the air conditioner must be turned on, and the temperature indicators should be at a minimum, and the air flow should be at a maximum. Antiseptic is carried out with the mesh filters removed by spraying the solution so that it gets inside the cooling radiator. After 15-20 minutes, the smell will disappear without a trace.

If the indoor unit starts to "cry" - its drainage system is clogged with a dusty plug or an accumulation of dense mold and needs to be cleaned. To do this, the tube from which water drips should be blown well. Unfortunately, this measure is temporary, requiring a further call of a specialist for a qualitative solution to the problem.

Cleaning the outdoor unit

It should not be forgotten that, in addition to the internal, the air conditioner also has an external unit. It is much more exposed to pollution, being in the open air and taking on precipitation, grease, tar, fluff and dust of various origins.

If you do not pay enough attention to regular cleaning of the outdoor unit, its significant contamination, up to blockage of the air passage between the heat exchanger plates, will lead to failure of the entire system.

So, if the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is within reach (on a balcony or at a small height from the ground), you can clean it yourself. To do this, you should have a brush, rags and a powerful vacuum cleaner.

To gain access to the parts of the outdoor unit, unscrew the bolts of the protective grille. Then vacuum the heat exchangers and filters for maximum power, then carefully clean them with a brush and wipe them with a rag no less delicately.

These precautions are due to the fact that the inside of the outdoor unit of the system is covered with a thin protective layer.

Most high-quality cleaning outdoor units is achieved by washing with water or special preparations under pressure, for which specialized equipment is used. But this is already a professional cleaning method, which is categorically not recommended without appropriate training.

Having learned the procedure for self service climate technology, watching a video will be very useful, where it is clearly and in detail shown how to clean a home air conditioner.

Do-it-yourself preventive measures for cleaning the air conditioner do not, under any circumstances, cancel the scheduled service. They only serve as an auxiliary measure that significantly increases the life of climate equipment and allows you to avoid many troubles.

A long time ago different types air conditioners have become almost the main equipment in our homes, because thanks to them we establish the ideal microclimate in our premises and, thus, escape from heat or cold. But there is no such equipment that would not need regular maintenance, so for the efficient and proper operation of the air conditioner, think about cleaning its parts. In what cases can the device be cleaned independently at home, and in what cases will the help of a master be required?

In what cases it is necessary to clean the indoor and outdoor unit of the air conditioner

You need to clean the equipment immediately in the following cases:

  1. The air conditioner began to consume more electricity.
  2. The climate system began to work worse or its power decreased.
  3. When the air conditioner is turned on, a characteristic crackling or loud noise is heard to the electricity. In this case, you should check the block turbines or filters for clogging.
  4. During the operation of the equipment, condensate leaked from its outdoor unit.
  5. An unpleasant and pungent odor that appears immediately after turning on the air conditioner. This is a warning that there is a problem with the drainage system or the evaporator grate.
  6. The appearance of gurgling or popping sounds that indicate that the drainage has become worse or the cooling system is losing refrigerant.
  7. The external unit emits a characteristic tapping, which means it's time to clean its body from clogging. The fan blades no longer scroll or cling to another object.

With a careful attitude to the air conditioner, it will work its entire service life without repair, which is about 11 years of perfect operation.

With careful attitude to the air conditioner, it will work its entire service life without repair, which is about 11 years of perfect operation.

How to clean your air conditioner at home yourself: step by step instructions for different components

Before you start cleaning the air conditioner, determine the types of work that needs to be done. Self made following processes: fan, heat exchanger, filters cleaning, drainage.

The outdoor unit also needs to be cleaned, but for this job it is better to invite a professional. Working at height is not safe and requires special devices and experience.

For self-cleaning equipment, you will need tools:

  • a vacuum cleaner;
  • soft cloths;
  • a small brush (not very wide and with a medium pile);
  • Toothbrush;
  • detergent;
  • soap;
  • container with warm water.

Filter cleaning

Cleaning filters is easy, so everyone can handle this process, the main thing is to follow this sequence:

  1. On the top panel, you need to open the cover.
  2. Air conditioner filters are mesh parts that are carefully pulled out.
  3. Put soap in a bowl of warm water and wait until it is completely dissolved.
  4. It is necessary to put filters in the resulting solution for half an hour.
  5. After the time has elapsed, check to see if any dirt remains on the filters. If yes, then use a toothbrush to wipe the elements, but do not press hard on them. Running water will help you wash the soap solution from the filters.
  6. To eliminate excess moisture, wipe the parts with a dry cloth or, in sunny weather, leave them on the windowsill.
  7. Set the filters in place.

How to clean the heat exchanger

The heat exchanger affects the quality of cooling and heating the room, so the procedure for cleaning it should not be ignored.

  1. To begin with, the indoor unit opens in the device.

    A dirty air conditioner heat exchanger is also important to clean.

  2. Gets a grate.
  3. The vacuum cleaner collects all the dust from the grate. The vacuum cleaner should operate at medium power.
  4. Wipe the grate with a slightly damp cloth so that subsequently there are no traces of dirt and dust accumulation.
  5. We insert the element into its original place and cover it with a lid.
  6. Before turning on the air conditioner, you need to wait a little.

How is the external cleaning of the device

Also, the external unit of the device needs constant cleaning, although it gets dirty much less than the internal one, so you need to rid it of dust every 6 months.

Cleaning the outdoor unit

For the procedure, a powerful vacuum cleaner is used, which is able to extract all the dust from the external filters and the heat exchange radiator, as well as a soft brush:


When the outdoor unit is located within reach for its maintenance, use a compressor. A hose with a fitting is pushed into the body and the valve opens. Thus, you will remove dirt outside the air conditioner grille.

How to clean the fan

The fan is located inside the block, so to see its blades, you need to open the cover. The accumulation of dust on the fan does not allow it to work properly. You can remove plaque in this way:

  1. Turn on the equipment and operate it a little in any mode.
  2. Turn off the air conditioner and open its cover. Take it off and put it away for a while.
  3. Wet a toothbrush in the initially prepared solution of soap and warm water and thoroughly wipe all the blades.

The fan cleaning procedure must be carried out carefully and carefully so as not to damage the blades.

Drainage cleaning

The drainage of the device is cleaned with an antibacterial treatment. This process includes maintenance of all units of equipment. With a steam generator, such a procedure can be done much faster.

  1. First you need to find the entrance to drainage system conditioner.

    The entrance to the drainage system of the air conditioner is located on the side under the cover

  2. Antibacterial cleaning will be completed immediately after steam is blown into the unit body.
  3. There is a second way - the entire air conditioning system is washed out, after which it is treated with a special antibacterial substance, which is based on an alcohol content. This cleaning option involves spraying a substance from a spray bottle.

The housing, drain, and filters of the device must be cleaned regularly. This should be done depending on the functional purpose of the equipment and its climatic location:

  • it is necessary to clean the outside of the split system, which is located up to the 4th floor, every 3 months;
  • the air conditioner, located from the 7th to the 8th floor, needs to be cleaned every few years, since it has almost no contact with organic debris or dust;
  • at a height of 12 floors, equipment needs external cleaning, but not more than once every few years. Therefore, outdoor blocks of industrial air conditioners are installed on the roof of the building;
  • internal filters are cleaned several times a month;
  • cleaning of split systems is carried out before the air conditioner is put into operation;
  • the outdoor unit in winter is constantly cleared of icicles and ice so that they do not damage a parked car or fall on a person passing by.

Equipment drains are cleaned as needed. You can check the contamination of the system channels visually by wet spots.

The service life of the equipment depends not only on the selected model and good installation air conditioner, but also from its correct use. By adhering to simple rules, you will extend the operating time of the equipment.

  1. There should be no drafts in the room where the air conditioner is located. Close doors and windows to maintain the required temperature, otherwise the equipment will work in an enhanced mode, so the load on the compressor and fan will increase.
  2. Unnecessarily, do not turn on the air conditioner at maximum airflow, as well as minimum temperature regime, because with a constant high power of the equipment, internal parts will wear out faster.
  3. The air conditioner must operate at the permitted outdoor temperature: inverter models - from -5 to -10 degrees, equipment with a "winter set" up to -20 degrees, basic models - from 0 to -5 ° С.
  4. Service must be carried out continuously. Twice a year for intensive use, once a year for moderate use. Specialized firms will charge relatively inexpensively for such a service, but at the same time, the likelihood of preventing serious repairs in the future increases.
  5. The indoor unit of the system should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
  6. After a long period of inactivity, the air conditioner switches to ventilation mode to run the entire system. So you remove the accumulated condensate and eliminate the unpleasant odor.
  7. The air flow coming from the air conditioner must not have obstacles in its path.
  8. The outdoor unit must be protected from the effects of atmospheric precipitation. For example, make a visor that will prevent snow and rain from getting on the block. You can also install an anti-vandal grille.
  9. Once a quarter, clean the air conditioner filters, dry them and put them back in place.

You can not only extend the operation of the air conditioner, but also make sure that the equipment is less polluted. To do this, follow these rules:

  • periodically ventilate the room while using the equipment;
  • do not place foreign objects on the air conditioner and its indoor unit;
  • containers with water and flowers also do not need to be placed on equipment;
  • do not touch the equipment with wet hands;
  • do not let animals sit on it.

In what cases it is impossible to do without a service center

When buying an air conditioner, get ready for the fact that without after-sales service in some cases you can't do it. There are several reasons that will make you turn to specialists:


You cannot eliminate any of these reasons on your own, which means that you cannot do without after-sales service.

Video: how to clean the external unit of the air conditioner with your own hands

Now you already know how to maintain the air conditioner, however, the process of cleaning various parts must be carried out carefully, as you can damage the equipment or injure yourself. What can we say that a badly damaged element will have to be changed. Also make sure that after cleaning, the parts of the air conditioner are well dried. Comprehensive service will help long time use your air conditioner.

During the operation of the air conditioner, a layer of dust inevitably settles on its internal elements. Over time, this leads not only to a deterioration in the operation of the device, but also increases the likelihood of its breakdown. You can remove debris and perform cleaning work yourself, without the involvement of specialists. But for this you need to know the procedure and the requirements for the technology of their implementation.

The question arises - is it necessary to clean the air conditioner yourself if there are a number of specialized companies? Each housewife is able to clean the vacuum cleaner from accumulated debris, whether it is a model with a receiving bag or a built-in filter. The situation is the same with the air conditioner - it differs only in a somewhat laborious process of removing the outer cover. The rest of the technology is similar to cleaning household vacuum cleaner, but with some specifics.

Imagine that preventive work has not been carried out for a long time. The accumulated layer of dust can cause the following problems in the operation of the device:

  • Deterioration of sanitation in the room. Dust particles will constantly spread throughout the room. Appearance bad smell indicates the growth of colonies of harmful bacteria.
  • Deterioration in the quality of the air conditioner. The natural obstruction in the air filter in the form of a layer of dirt impairs the volume of the cooled air flow. A layer of dust on the heat exchanger reduces the efficiency of the entire system.
  • Increased risk of damage to the climate system. As a result of the increase air resistance fan significantly increases the load on the electric motor.

Having determined that periodic cleaning of the air conditioner is necessary, you can begin to perform this procedure. But how often should it be done? Depending on the system load, experts recommend adhering to the following time intervals:

  1. Household air conditioner - 1 time in 6 months.
  2. Office - 1 time per quarter.
  3. The climate system in places with high traffic (restaurants, cafes, public institutions) - 1 time per month.

Consider the procedure for cleaning the indoor unit of the most common type of air conditioners -.

Air Filter Prevention

In the indoor unit of each air conditioner there is a so-called air filter. Depending on the design, it can be flat (rectangular) or drum. The latter is most often present in expensive models, as it is more efficient, has a significant surface area. It combines the functions of a filter and a fan.

The procedure for carrying out work begins with familiarization with the instruction manual. It specifies how to extract the filter. In the vast majority of cases, this requires removing the outer decorative cover. Having familiarized ourselves with the implementation of this work in theory, we proceed to the preparatory stage.

The air conditioner must be completely de-energized, the area around it is protected plastic wrap. If cleaning work has not been carried out for a long time, be prepared for a large number dust that will disperse when the filter is removed.

After removing the cover, carefully remove the protective mesh from the structure. It is necessary to fix the filter element and protect its surface from possible damage. The filter is then removed. Flushing should only be done in cold water and short time. First, using a household vacuum cleaner, the filter surface is blown, and then the body is immersed in water.

After washing is completed, the element should dry naturally. If you act on it with a hair dryer or other heating devices, then deformation of the paper filter elements is possible. You also need to remember that the number of such filter washes can vary from 5 to 8. In the future, the structure is disturbed, which leads to a deterioration in throughput.

Cleaning the heat exchanger

In the air conditioner, it is a tubular structure through which cooled freon flows. During operation of the fan, the air flows are cooled by passing through the heat exchanger structure.

When cleaning the air conditioner, it is necessary to remove accumulated dust with a vacuum cleaner or a long-haired brush. You should work very carefully so as not to damage the internal elements of the device. If there are rust deposits on the surface of the heat exchanger, it is necessary to call specialists to repair it.

All other maintenance work on air conditioners can only be performed by professionals - adjusting the refrigerant level, checking the outdoor unit. For this it is necessary special equipment and skills in carrying out such activities.

What else to read