It is important to maintain your AC’s condition and keep it running smoothly. Continue reading for tips on maintaining your AC’s health. Are you searching for reliable aircon service in Singapore? Service aircon Singapore has qualified technicians. Aircon Servicing Singapore are confident that you will be pleased with our service when we fulfill your air conditioner requirements in Singapore.
Air conditioners need to be maintained like any other mechanical device. You can do many of the AC maintenance tasks on your own.
What maintenance does an air conditioner need?
This Old House’s heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey was asked by This Old House to share his tips and tricks for maintaining central air and window units.
1. Replace your filters
Your AC’s efficiency is affected by dirty filters. Make sure to replace them every month during cooling season.
The minimum efficiency reporting value (or MERV) of the filter is what you should be looking for. It can range from 1 to 12 for AC units at home. Higher numbers indicate better filtration. However, they also require more energy to pull the air through them. This helps to balance the air-quality concerns and energy costs.
2. Fix AC Leaks
Leakage can cause ducts to lose as much as 30% of their airflow, and window AC units can be difficult to seal. You can use the “smoke trick” to find leaks.
Light a stick of incense near the window unit. For central AC units, place the stick close to the duct connections. Leakage is when the smoke blows about. Use foil tape for ductwork and duct mastic to seal larger gaps. For window AC units, place foam between the device (and the frame) and tap as necessary.
3. Use a timer
You don’t have to turn the AC on full blast while at work. Install a thermostat with programmable settings that allows you to set lower temperatures when you are away and higher when you are home.
Modern window units come with timers and thermostats built in. You can also buy one at a home store for $10-20. Just make sure the voltage matches your device. If you aren’t going on vacation, do not shut off the system. Otherwise, your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool the house.
4. Insulate to Cool Air
To keep the air inside cool, wrap ducts in hot crawl spaces or attics. Spray foam, batt insulation and rigid-foam insulation are all options. Foil tape, not duct tape, is used to seal rigid insulation and batt. Wraps such as Reflectix provide some insulation for tight spaces.
5. Service your compressor or condenser
The central AC system’s condenser and air compressor are located near your foundation. This system works best when there is at least 24 inches of space between the house and the foundation.
6. Keep your AC unit cool
You can extend the life of your AC system with blinds or shades that are kept down during the day. Awnings can be installed to protect south-facing windows from the intense sun. To circulate cool air more efficiently, you might consider using the AC with ceiling or floor fans.
7. Do an annual AC maintenance
You should have your central AC installed by a dealer (or one that you find locally) and set up a cleaning schedule for it each year. This will include more than just cleaning the filters.
This checkup should be scheduled before the cooling season begins. If you haven’t done it already this year, it is a good idea to do it now.
- Inspecting and cleaning coils
- Filters can be cleaned or replaced
- Replace and adjust fan belts
- Lubricating motors, bearings
- Checking and cleaning blowers and fans
- Inspection of controls and safety
- Refrigerant and pressure checks
- Verification of operating temperatures
8. Airflow
Too many interior doors can cause central AC systems to lose balance. This means that there is less airflow throughout the house. Keep doors open slightly to allow privacy.
9. Upgrade to Improve Efficiency
Federal law requires AC units to be more efficient than they were 10 years ago. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (or SEER) is used for central AC units. For window units, it’s simply the energy-efficiency rate, or EER. While a SEER of 13 is required and an EER 8 are recommended, devices with higher numbers will be more expensive to run.