With some of the exceptional hot weather the UK has experienced this summer, those fortunate enough to have air conditioning will have put it to good use to stay cool. Others who have air conditioning systems that also provide heat during the wintertime will be thinking about some routine maintenance.

When something goes wrong with an air-conditioning unit, always call your air conditioning engineer rather than to try fixing the unit yourself. There are a few tasks you can complete and these are highlighted in the following air conditioning maintenance tips. A once a month check of your system will make you familiar with a properly operational system so you will know when something is wrong that needs the engineer. Some fairly simple maintenance tasks can make a dramatic difference to performance. Dust build up on the coils or leaking refrigerant can severely affect the performance of an air conditioner so it makes sense to keep on top of things.

In this article, we give you air conditioning maintenance tips that can help you to keep your air conditioning unit running smoothly all year. We would recommend that you seek out a professional company of accredited engineers for your annual service and maintenance checks, if only because they have the right tools for the job plus many years of experience.

There are some simple air conditioning maintenance tips that will help you with some of the essential but simpler tasks.

Caution: Before starting any maintenance activities, always ensure the power to the air conditioning unit is switched off.

Outdoor Elements

If you have an outside condenser unit, take care to ensure it is well protected from seasonal hazards. During the winter and autumn months, debris and leaves can cause blockages and in freezing conditions, ice can cause damage to the unit. The best way to avoid this is to buy a specially designed condenser cover that fits the unit. Some of these can be quite fancy and blend into your garden as a feature. For simple practical care, some heavy-duty plastic sheeting can do the trick secured with some robust cord.

Maintenance of the Main Components

The power cord, filter, switch, thermostat, fan, and drain ports are some of the components that need regular maintenance. Maintaining these components regularly can save money and prolong the life of your unit preventing breakdowns and unnecessary engineer repair visits. Air conditioning maintenance tips are particularly relevant to the following components:

Filter

If the air conditioning system is being used all year round, then the filter should be replaced or cleaned once a month. It is advisable to replace or clean the filter after the system has not been in use say if it is only used in the summer months. If you are in an area that is especially dusty or has air pollution, then filters should be cleaned and replaced more regularly. Depending on your model, you can usually take off the front grille and replace or clean the filter. The filter can be cleaned using mild domestic detergent and water. Always rinse the filter well and let it dry completely before replacing in the unit. If your air conditioning unit has a disposable filter, then simply replace the old one with the new.

Power Cord

Power cords sometimes become worn, so this maintenance check should be on your list. Worn power cords can be dangerous so check that they are in good order.

Condenser and Evaporator Coils

Clean the coils every month when the air conditioning unit is in use. A vacuum cleaner can be used to remove dust from the coils. You may notice some fins are bent. These can be straightened using a special tool that slides between the fins.

Condensate Drain Line

It is important to keep the drain line draining freely and cleanly. The drain line removes air moisture and has to flow freely to operate properly. You can check any hoses for leaks and see if they can be easily repaired or will need to be temporarily fixed with duct tape until you can get your air conditioning engineer to visit.

For more information you can also check the page Maintaining Your Air Conditioner from the energy.gov website, or you can ask us.