Installing a new split system gives a person confidence that it will work for a long time and stably, but, unfortunately, without proper care of the equipment, the situation can change dramatically in six months to a year. Problems with the supply of fresh air, an increase in the amount of dust in the room, the appearance of extraneous sounds from the air conditioner or equipment breakdown – all this can be avoided if it is properly cared for.
In this article, we will look at the main components of an air conditioner, which will allow us to better understand the principle of its operation and the key areas of its maintenance.
Main components of an air conditioner
For the air conditioner to operate efficiently, it is necessary to have a refrigeration circuit, which includes a compressor, condenser, evaporator and thermostatic valve. Let’s look at the features and operating principles of each of these elements.
Compressor
An important technical element of the refrigeration circuit, responsible for the continuous circulation of the refrigerant – freon (other names – freon, refrigerant). When entering the compressor, freon is in a gaseous state and has low pressure. Inside, it is compressed, as a result of which its pressure and temperature increase significantly. In this state, the refrigerant enters the condenser.
Capacitor
One of the two important units of the heat exchanger, a component of the external unit of the air conditioner. Its name reflects one of the most important processes in the operation of climate control equipment – condensation. Cold air continuously blowing on the condenser cools the refrigerant entering it, which as a result changes its aggregate state, passing from gaseous to liquid. The air itself heats up under the influence of the released heat.
Capacitors are most often made of copper and aluminum, which ensures their long-term efficient use.
Pro Tip: Upgrade your comfort with High-Efficiency Air Conditioner Installation San Jose CA. Call now for expert installation, energy savings, and reliable cooling!
Evaporator
This is a radiator located in the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Freon, having passed through the thermostatic valve, gets to the evaporator. Here, warm air is pumped from the environment onto the refrigerant. As a result, the freon entering the refrigeration circuit begins to heat up and pass into a gaseous state. When heated, the refrigerant absorbs heat, thus cooling the environment.
Thermostatic expansion valve
The TRV is important for the refrigeration circuit, because without it, it cannot function properly. The TRV or its analogues are called throttling devices. Their task is to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant before it gets to the evaporator. During the throttling process, thermodynamic work is not performed, it occurs later, when the freon gets to the evaporator. The TRV is most often installed in close proximity to the evaporator.
Air Conditioner Regular Maintenance Schedule
High-quality maintenance of the air conditioning unit means maintaining its various components in proper condition. Let’s look at five such areas of maintenance.
Checking filters
One of the reasons for the deterioration of the equipment performance, or even its breakdown, is contamination of air filters. When a filter clogged with dirt operates, heat exchange processes are disrupted, the blowing power decreases, the pipeline freezes, and the drainage system becomes contaminated. In this case, cleaning and disinfection are required. This can be done without outside help. Approximate order of work:
- disconnect the device from the network;
- remove the cover and take out the air filters. It is important to consider the possible presence of hidden fasteners (you can read about them in the instructions for the air conditioner);
- rinse the filters with running water, preferably with the addition of special agents;
- Dry the filter naturally.
Preventive inspection of the air filters and, if necessary, their cleaning is recommended at least once every one and a half to two months. A good optimization of the cleaning system is an installed antimicrobial (antibacterial) filter.
Cleaning the condenserÂ
The outdoor unit of the air conditioner accumulates both fine dust and larger debris, which prevents proper air circulation. As a result, the equipment performance deteriorates, energy costs increase, and the likelihood of an expensive compressor replacement increases. If you have access to the outdoor unit, you can clean the condenser from dirt yourself. To do this:
- prepare an aqueous solution;
- remove the top cover and metal casing;
- remove the fan protective grille;
- Use your hands to clean the block from large debris;
- remove dirt from the condenser and fan using a spray bottle or mobile car wash;
- wash all removed elements and reattach them;
- Wait until it dries completely (up to 12 hours) before plugging in the air conditioner.
Remember that you need to clean the capacitor with a narrow stream of water in the direction of the plates to prevent deformation of the metal.
Checking and adjusting the refrigerant level
Freon is an important component, the volume of which determines the quality of the equipment. A refrigerant leak and its decrease to a critically low level can lead to a breakdown of the device. Its deficiency is indicated by two external factors:
- the operating time of the equipment when cooling the room is significantly increased;
- Frost forms on the copper connections of the outdoor unit.
It is recommended to check for leaks and refill the air conditioner with freon every 1.5–2 years. Self-refilling is possible, but in most cases it is not advisable. This can be done better by a service department that has the necessary equipment and experience in servicing air conditioners.
Checking the condition and replacing drive belts
Popular models of air conditioners (such as Eurohoff EVR-09i, Ferrum iFIS07A1 or Energolux SAS07L4-A) have high energy efficiency and performance. However, safe operation of split systems, like any other equipment, implies periodic replacement of consumables. One of them is the condenser or evaporator fan drive belt.
Pro Tip: Get fast and reliable Central Air Conditioning Repair San Francisco CA. Our experts ensure quick fixes and efficient cooling. Contact us today!
A belt is a flexible rubber product that is subject to high loads and, accordingly, wear. Over time, it can stretch and deteriorate. This leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the equipment or its complete stop. To restore operation, it is necessary to adjust the rollers or change the belt. The service center (SC) is best suited for this task.
Checking the operation of electrical components
Electrical component failures, such as compressor, fans or starting capacitor failure, require immediate attention. Some faults are signaled by the internal indicator of the split system. Among them:
- air temperature sensor error;
- Compressor temperature sensor error;
- fan motor failure;
- failure of the main equipment control board.
Elimination of these faults requires the participation of a service center specialist. To prevent equipment failure, it is recommended to periodically diagnose its electrical component.
Benefits of Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance
The operating instructions for the device necessarily emphasize the importance of constant maintenance, and this is not accidental. Activities related to regular scheduled preventive inspection, processing and maintenance of the system are necessary because they:Â
- ensure high-quality, uninterrupted operation , relieving the user of nerves and stress, and guaranteeing safety of use;
- extend the service life of the equipment – failure and expensive replacement of the compressor are often associated with the fact that timely maintenance of the split system was not carried out;
- prevent the occurrence of additional costs (for example, in the case of increased electricity consumption) or unexpected breakdowns;
- help to avoid health risks – the air flow does not blow dust, dirt and dangerous bacteria into the room.
Therefore, it should be serviced once or twice a year (if summer and winter modes are used).
Conclusion
An air conditioner is a complex piece of equipment that is a closed climate system. Regular diagnostics and maintenance are a guarantee (and prolongation) of its high-quality operation. The user can do some simple work on his own, but it is better to entrust thorough maintenance to specialized companies with a good reputation.
Our company “Klimat24bel” has been present on the Belarusian market for more than 10 years. Our specialists help in choosing equipment for home and other premises, perform installation, provide service and warranty repair of air conditioners in Minsk and the regions. The company’s specialists have the necessary skills, extensive experience and professional approach, which allows them to provide fast and high-quality assistance.
