The hottest season is upon us and the first thought to experience it to the fullest is turning on the air conditioner. Before doing that, please read this article carefully.
The days get longer and the temperatures rise. Inevitably we are already projected to summer and when the air conditioners are turned on, our precious allies to fight the heatwave.
About that, to preserve their functionality and safety, as well as our health (yes, you read that right, our physical well-being is also at stake) it is necessary to carry out proper maintenance before operating it after the long winter break.
Attention, if you use the air conditioners even during the cold season these cleaning activities are much more than recommended, precisely by virtue of the switch from hot to cold air.
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The first thing to do is own give the filters of the air conditioner indoor unit a good clean. Generally these are made of plastic material so it will be sufficient to wash them under a direct jet of water and then let them dry well avoiding direct sunlight or exposure to excessive heat sources such as a hairdryer. If they are particularly dusty, before washing them it is better to use a vacuum cleaner or a dust-catching cloth.
There are also filters made of perishable materials, but we will talk about them in detail later.
At this point you can move on to controlling the outdoor units. First of all you need to make sure that no leaves, poplar trees and / or other natural substances have deposited. A careful cleaning will follow.
Let’s see together all the steps to make sure that your air conditioners do not constitute a danger for you and your loved ones, but rather a winning choice for your comfort.
Cleaning the outdoor and indoor unit
In recent years, our attention to viruses and possible infections has significantly increased. There are different types of viruses and bacteria, clearly with different severities and intensities, but what they have in common is the ability to proliferate in humid environments such as filters, grids, vents and some surfaces. This is why we must be very careful when switching on the air conditioners.
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At this point it is good to clarify that it is not the case to be scared, but only to take the appropriate precautions or carry out proper cleaning before switching them on.
Let’s start with the external unit. The first thing to do is check that there are no particular obstructions caused by leaves or other. Then you will need to clean it with a stiff bristle brush, preferably in silicone, or with a jet of water or air such as a steamer.
We can now move on to cleaning the indoor unit and filters.
Cleaning the filters
Cleaning the filters is a fundamental step because this is where germs and bacteria lurk. Their possible diffusion in the air causes not only diseases and allergies, but also bad smells and in some cases can lead to an increase in the noise of the appliance.
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The role of filters is just that to purify the air then it goes without saying that, after a period of use, they will in turn be purified. This process must be carried out with great care and the ideal would be to use specific products to sanitize. For this purpose there are also professional interventions, those that are made for example in large machines that are not for domestic use but for industrial and commercial use.
As we said, the filters are in most cases made of plastic therefore their cleaning will be quite easy with just soap and water. The other way around, if they were made in perishable material such as the synthetic foam, it is preferable to avoid direct jets of water.
Still, it could be filters made of exhaustible materials such as passive electrostatic filters or activated carbon filters: then they will go directly replaced with new filters.
At this point you may be wondering how to identify the type of filter of your air conditioner: simple, that’s enough consult the instruction booklet.
Check for any gas leaks
This step is the last in chronological order, but certainly not of importance. After careful cleaning, it is time to check for any refrigerant gas leaks.
This problem compromises the regular operation of the air conditioner and in practice it causes a drastic drop in efficiency in the production of cold air produced with a consequent notable and useless increase in energy consumption. It follows that this control is essential for energy efficiency of the whole plant.
Not to mention the damage to the environment: 1 kg of R 410 A refrigerant gas dispersed in the air causes a level of pollution equivalent to more than 2 tons of CO2.
This type of operation must be carried out by a qualified technician and a certified company with personnel in possession of the license to operate with refrigerant gases (Fgas).
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Here is a summary gallery of the topics covered. Summer is upon us, before turning on your air conditioner make sure you have carried out proper maintenance.