How to rinse an air conditioner: a step-by-step algorithm. Related tips. How to wash an air conditioner at home Samsung window air conditioner cleaning the filter

Nowadays, many owners of houses and apartments equip their homes with climate control equipment, which is capable of maintaining a comfortable indoor microclimate. One of the most popular devices designed for these purposes is an air conditioner. Modern models can have not only one function - air cooling, but also be “all-season”, multifunctional, that is, at any time of the year they can maintain a normal temperature set by the user in the rooms.

However, the microclimate will actually be comfortable, and the use of air conditioning will not harm the owners if certain important conditions. In particular, such devices require certain care, so they are usually serviced by professional technicians. For this purpose, agreements are often concluded with the company that carried out the work for further service maintenance. They also resort to one-time calls to specialists - there are many advertisements with similar content in the advertising press.

But such a service is not cheap, so many device owners are interested in the possibility self-care after them. One of important points Maintenance of climate control equipment involves keeping all its components, especially filter units, clean. Therefore, the question arises: how possible is it to clean the air conditioner with your own hands? Yes, it's completely doable! And if you understand at least a little about the design of the device and know how such a process is carried out, then, indeed, you can put it in order yourself.

Why is air conditioner cleaning necessary?

Is regular cleaning of climate control equipment really necessary? Maybe this is just another “money scam” on the part of manufacturers and service companies? No, everything is much more serious!

Devices that cool or heat air drive it through filtering devices installed in them, since it is unrealistic to completely get rid of dust in rooms. Accordingly, quite soon the filters collect a large number of dirt and dust.

Therefore, if you do not periodically clean the air conditioner, the following problems will certainly arise:

There will be a clear drop in the functionality of the device, that is, a significant decrease in efficiency due to the difficulty of air passing through the filters.
If the air conditioner is not cleaned or is not cleaned regularly, the heat exchanger with the freon inside it will begin to overheat, which will increase the load on the compressor, and as a result, rapid wear of the device.

High humidity and dust deposits inside and outside the filters contribute to the active proliferation of dust mites and various bacteria. Among pathogenic microorganisms, the most dangerous is legionella, which causes a severe lung disease - legionellosis (also called “Pittsburgh pneumonia”). Along with air flows passing through contaminated filters, spores of fungi and mold can spread throughout the premises, which can easily provoke allergic reactions, lead to asthmatic attacks and dermatitis.
An unpleasant smell in the room is probably the most minor nuisance of all that is caused by air conditioner contamination.

It should be noted that air conditioners that are installed in multi-storey buildings on the highest floors are less susceptible to rapid clogging, since at high altitudes much less dust is concentrated than in the lower layers of air. But this does not mean that they will not have to be cleaned - there may simply be less dirt deposits.

Much more often it will be necessary to clean and disinfect devices installed in houses located near highways, in industrial areas of the city and in areas under construction, since the air there is most polluted.

Another negative phenomenon for climate control equipment is poplar and other plant fluff, which can literally clog air conditioner filters in a short time. Therefore, if the area where the house is located is planted with poplars or other trees (shrubs) with a similar form of flowering, then you need to monitor the climate control devices with special care.

The air conditioner, as a rule, begins to “declare” that it requires maintenance if it is not cleaned on time. So, such manifestations can be:

Permanent or temporary noise or crackling noise when the device is turned on.
Unpleasant smell of dampness or dampness.
A clear decrease in the cooling capacity of the air conditioner.
The device began to consume too much electricity with the same or even reduced output - this can be noticed by taking readings from the meter.
While the air conditioner was running, the indoor unit began to leak.

Prices for popular air conditioners

If at least one of the above signs appears, this indicates that the device requires urgent maintenance, otherwise the air conditioner may soon fail.

It is best to prevent such a situation, since it can result in the replacement of individual parts or structural units that have failed due to the banal carelessness of the owners, which leads to significant costs.

It is imperative to clean the device filters in the spring, before intensive work in the summer.
Prevention should also be carried out in the fall, before the cold period, when the air conditioner is switched to room heating mode.
Unscheduled prevention is urgent, in any case, if the above-mentioned signs appear.

Thanks to timely preventive maintenance, the air conditioner will easily work out its entire service life, which is usually 8-12 years or even more.

Cleaning the indoor unit of a split system

Design of the indoor unit of the air conditioner

To figure out where to start with preventative work, and what exactly should be subjected to the most thorough cleaning, you need to at least get a little familiar with the design of the device. Most often in Lately Split systems are used, and the indoor air conditioner unit that is most accessible to the user primarily affects the microclimate in the room. Let's start with it.

So, the internal block consists of the following components and parts:

1 – Front panel of the device – This is a plastic case with a grille. Through it, air from the room, naturally with transferred dust, enters the device for cooling (or heating). The panel can be easily removed for maintenance if necessary. For this purpose, a system of locks (latches) is provided.

2 – Coarse filter is a fine-mesh polymer mesh that is designed for collecting large dust particles from the air, fluff, animal hair fibers and other similar suspensions. Such a filter requires cleaning, or at least monitoring, at least twice a month. In innovative models, some manufacturers provide automatic cleaning of this filter. The coarse pre-filter is located immediately behind the front panel of the device.

3 – Fine filter. Usually, not one, but several filters are installed in a cascade, which can clean the air from various contaminants. Each of them has own characteristics buildings:

Carbon filter, containing activated carbon, and is designed to remove unpleasant odors and neutralize harmful substances. This type of filter is not cleaned, but is completely replaced, on average every 4–5 months.
Zeolite filter made from porous mineral - zeolite. This filter option is capable of absorbing chemical compounds from the air, which include heavy metals, so it is more effective than carbon. In addition, unlike a carbon filter, a zeolite filter can be washed with water and can be used for up to five years with regular maintenance.
Electrostatic The filter cleans the air of fine dust by creating an electrostatic field. Dust particles passing through it become electrified and settle on oppositely charged plates. The service life of this filter is unlimited, and it is cleaned when it becomes dirty.
Plasma filter It works on approximately the same principle as electrostatic. In it under the influence electrical voltage low temperature plasma is formed that can destroy harmful substances and small dust particles, simultaneously giving them a negative charge, due to which they settle on a positively charged plate. The plasma filter is also designed to remove odors and smoke. The service life of this filter is unlimited, and it is cleaned as it becomes dirty.
UV filter necessarily includes an LED of a certain spectrum of light, which is capable of disinfecting the air in the room, destroying viruses and bacteria. Ultraviolet light, in addition, can prevent the growth and spread of mold and mildew inside the air conditioner. This option can be used independently or in combination with a photocatalytic filter.
Photocatalytic filter is a porous substance with titanium dioxide coating. This filter adsorbs on its surface all air pollutants passing through it, including toxic substances, unpleasant odors, fungal spores, etc. Being exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which is included in the complex photocatalytic filter, all toxic substances break down into water and carbon dioxide. This type of filter does an excellent job of removing both inorganic and organic air pollutants. The service life of this filter is limited only by the “lifetime” of the ultraviolet lamp.
Antibacterial filter. Designed to neutralize various pathogenic microflora - microbes and viruses. It contains such natural active ingredients as:

- catechin - an antiseptic found in apples and green tea;

— Wassabi is a plant with antibacterial properties.

Prices for filters for air conditioners

air conditioner filter

Antioxidant filter is made on the basis of flavonoids, which help convert free radicals into inactive chemical compounds.

4 – Fan, providing air circulation through the air conditioner. As a rule, the fan can have three to four rotation speeds.

5 – Evaporator. This is, at its core, a radiator in which freon evaporates, due to which the air passing through it is cooled.

6 – Horizontal blinds regulating the direction of air flow vertically. They are controlled remotely, from a remote control, through an electric drive installed in the air conditioner housing.

7 – Indicator panel located on the surface of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Using LEDs or a digital display, it shows the operating modes of the device, including the set temperature.

8 – Vertical blinds regulate air flows in horizontal directions. They can be moved manually or remotely, depending on the equipment of the device.

In addition to the above-mentioned structural elements, it necessarily contains others not shown in the figure:

9 – Condensate tray. This part is located under the evaporator, and it serves to collect water, which is then discharged through the drain hose from the air conditioner to the outside.

10 - Control electronic board. A central microprocessor is installed on it, with the help of which the device is controlled. The board is usually located to the right of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Usually a terminal group is located near it - for connecting the air conditioner to the electrical network and for electrical switching of the indoor unit with the external one.

11 – Union connections located on the lower rear part of the indoor unit. Copper tubes connected to them serve to connect the outdoor and indoor units - this creates a closed loop for the circulation of refrigerant.

Several preparatory operations

Due to the fact that a split system air conditioner consists of two units, external and internal, their cleaning also differs somewhat from each other, which is important to consider when starting its prevention. We will focus on the external block below, but for now we continue to consider the internal one.

Before starting preventive work, it is necessary to protect your hands and respiratory tract, since you must not forget that the air conditioner housing contains a breeding ground for viruses and dangerous bacteria that got there along with dust from the air. They can easily enter the body, which can lead to serious illness, even for a person with excellent immunity.
Next, the air conditioner must be disconnected from the power supply. It would seem that this action is understandable for everyone, but sometimes they forget about it, and remember only at the moment when the first electric shock occurs. It’s good if it’s light, only in the form of tingling….
Then, it is recommended to cover the area of the floor under the air conditioner. plastic film, which is best simply thrown away after cleaning the device. It is especially important to protect the floor surface if the air conditioner has been running for a long time without maintenance and a large amount of dirt has accumulated in it.

Procedure for general cleaning of the indoor unit

Sometimes it is necessary to clean only the filters of the device, since they become dirty first. I must say that washing them yourself is not at all difficult. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out this procedure almost weekly, making it a rule to perform these simple steps before starting to clean your apartment or house. Naturally, such frequent maintenance is necessary if the device is used constantly.

If the air conditioning equipment is cleaned regularly, the house is kept clean, and thanks to this dust does not have time to clog all the pores of the fine filters and coarse filter cells, then it is enough to dry clean with a vacuum cleaner.

If the air conditioner filters are heavily clogged, they will have to be washed additionally with special detergents and then with water.

Detergents are purchased in specialized stores of climate control equipment or in service centers for its maintenance.

Illustration	Brief description of the operation performed
	So, the first step is to open the front cover of the air conditioner, on which the protective grille is located. This process is simple, especially since all owners need to do it quite often, checking the degree of contamination of the device. Next, carefully remove the coarse filters. They can also be secured in different ways. So, in some models they can be removed without even opening or dismantling the front panel.
	Then the cover covering the fasteners is removed. IN various designs this panel can be secured in different ways - in some models it is enough to simply remove it from the latches, while in others it has to be unscrewed.
	In this model, the plastic housing of the indoor unit is secured with screws located at the bottom of the structure. They are closed with protective plates that must first be opened. For convenience, you can use a regular screwdriver - use it to pick up the closing screws of the lid, and then unscrew the fasteners themselves. The work must be done carefully, as plastic parts- quite fragile. After unscrewing the fastenings, it is also necessary to remove the indicator panel connected to the electrical part of the air conditioner from the housing. This element, along with the wires, must be temporarily placed to the electrical unit.
	After unscrewing the screws, the plastic housing of the air conditioner is removed. IN different models it is also attached differently, so after unscrewing the screws on one side, you should not yank the case. You need to carefully pull it towards you, and if it does not come off, you will have to look for places where it is additionally secured. Next, fine filters should be removed from the air conditioner.
	The next step is to protect the electrical unit of the device from splashes of disinfectants and detergents, as well as jets of water. Ordinary hospital shoe covers are perfect for this purpose - thanks to the elastic band on them, they will fit tightly to the device, and the protection will not fall off during work.
	Now the time has come preparatory work for cleaning. For this purpose, you can use a large, durable plastic bag, but this “device” cannot guarantee reliable protection surfaces of the room from contact with detergents along with dirt from the air conditioner. In specialized stores or on online trading platforms, you can purchase a kit specifically designed to protect floors and walls during cleaning of climate control equipment. This set is more convenient, since it contains almost everything necessary elements both for fastening it and for draining dirty water into a bucket.
	The service package includes a large specially shaped cellophane bag with a funnel in the lower central part, onto which a plastic spout is attached for easy fixation of the outlet hose. In addition, it contains a polyethylene apron installed between the wall and the bottom of the air conditioner, holders like stationery ones, with the help of which the stiffeners are fixed, inserted into the edges of the bag, and a tape for hanging it under the air conditioner. Unfortunately, the kit does not include elements that act as stiffeners, as well as a hose for draining dirty water. Therefore, you will have to take care of these details yourself. To do this, you will need thin plastic or metal tubes, or even ordinary wooden glazing beads, which are used to fasten window glass. The length of these rigid inserts should be: 600 mm - 2 pcs. and 1200 mm - 2 pcs. The section of the hose must correspond to the diameter of the spout attached to the plastic bag - so that it fits tightly to the drain spout.
	The bag has channels along its edges into which you need to install stiffening ribs and secure them using office holders. A belt is attached to one side of the bag, with which the bag will be hung on the air conditioner. When ready for use, this device looks approximately as shown in the illustration.
	Next, take an apron - this is an ordinary polyethylene sheet, which is slipped under the body of the device and secured to the wall using masking tape. It will protect the wall from dirty pieces of wet dust. Then, the package with stiffening ribs is suspended under the air conditioner, the belt is put on top of the device body. After this, a hose is put on the plastic spout, the second end of which is lowered into an ordinary plastic bucket standing on the floor.
	Further, if, after opening the indoor unit of the air conditioner, thick layers of dust are found, they can be removed with a soft brush or collected with a vacuum cleaner. After such superficial removal of accumulated deposits, it will be easier to wash the structural parts from more deeply embedded dirt.
	Having removed the external dust, you can proceed to preparing a cleaning disinfectant solution. It is made from products specially designed for cleaning air conditioners. The solution is mixed in accordance with the proportions indicated on the packaging of detergents. To apply the solution you will need a spray bottle in which the jet can be adjusted according to the spray diameter.
	The next step is to apply the finished solution to all elements of the indoor unit. Particular care must be taken to spray the fan and radiator of the device. A huge amount of dust collects on the impeller blades of the roller fan, which eats into the surface of the material from which it is made. Therefore, it is simply impossible to properly clean this part of the air conditioner from dirt without special means. The radiator is equipped with numerous heat exchange plates, between which dust also accumulates, and removing it with plain water is quite difficult, so you also cannot do without special equipment. Disinfectant cleaning solution should cover all parts of the structure, since if unwashed areas remain, they will later become a favorable place for the fixation of new layers of dirt.
	Application of detergents is usually carried out in two stages. The first to be sprayed is a liquid detergent disinfectant (in this case it is Alfadez), and then the detergent “Winns 30202”, which is sold in cans and produces abundant foam, which helps to better soften and remove dirt. After the detergents are applied to the surfaces of the indoor unit, they must be left for some time, about 20-25 minutes, so that the solutions corrode the outer and inner dirty layers. When the foam settles, you can check how easily the dirt will be removed.
	After the foam has settled, you can begin flushing the split system with water supplied under high pressure thin stream. When washing yourself, you can use the same spray bottle, but this will require quite a lot of time and a large amount of water.
	When flushing the system, dirt will flow along the bottom of the air conditioner housing into a plastic bag suspended underneath it, and from there into a bucket. It is important to ensure that the container does not overfill, as dirty water And disinfectants can seriously damage the floor covering.
	Flushing the internal block of the split system begins from its rear part. Then the radiator is thoroughly washed, after which it needs to be cleaned again inner part, since dirt from the heat exchanger grille may end up on the surface of the fan blades.
	While the indoor unit is soaking under the influence of detergents, you can clean the parts of the plastic housing removed from the structure. They are also sprayed with disinfectants and detergents. If necessary, dirt can be rubbed off on them with a soft brush, and then these structural elements are washed under running water.
	In addition to the hard parts of the housing, it is also necessary to wash the coarse air filters. First, they also need to be sprayed with detergents. Then they are left for a while until the dirt is removed from them, and then washed under running water.
	The filter is washed, but not wiped - the water should drain from it spontaneously, and it should dry naturally. When washing the filter, do not use conventional detergents, since they can negatively affect not only the filter itself, but also the indoor unit of the air conditioner. In addition, we should not forget that the molecules of solutions household chemicals will subsequently enter the air of residential premises.
	It is more difficult with fine filters, since among them there are options that cannot be washed, and dry cleaning will not bring results, and therefore they will have to be replaced with new ones. So, I would like to remind you that replaceable filters include carbon, antibacterial, antioxidant, and vitamin ones. Filters that can be washed include electrostatic, photocatalytic, plasma and zeolite. New replacement filters are usually sold at air conditioner service centers or at service centers of manufacturing companies.
	When all the insides of the unit and all the parts removed from it have dried well, you can remove the hanging bag and shoe covers from the electrical unit and reassemble the air conditioner in the reverse order. The fine filters (new or washed) are returned to their place, then the washed housing is fixed, the indicator panel is attached to it, and lastly the coarse filters are installed.
	Now that the work on cleaning the air conditioner has been completed, you can turn it on, check its functionality and proceed to normal operation, until the next maintenance.

Cleaning the air conditioner drain system

One of the common problems that air conditioner owners face is water leaking onto the floor or walls from the indoor unit. Most often, leaks occur for the following reasons:

Due to contamination of the drainage system of the device, when condensate cannot pass through the clogged tube, and therefore begins to flow from the indoor unit into the room. In this case, the drainage system must be cleaned. Clogging of the drainage occurs due to the fact that the air conditioner units were not cleaned in time - the dust turned into dirt and clogged the tube.
If the amount of freon (refrigerant) in the system is reduced, then the temperature of the evaporator also becomes lower, so ice forms on it and water does not pass into the pan, and also flows onto the floors of the room.
If the air conditioner does not have a pressure regulator, then when the outside temperature drops, the pressure drops and in the system, as a result which also reduces the temperature in the evaporator. However, it should be noted that pressure regulators are usually installed in all modern air conditioner models.
Freezing of the drain pipe - this occurs if the air conditioner is used in winter to cool the premises.
Another reason for stagnation in the drainage is wasps or other flying insects, which quite often clog the edge of the pipe located on the street.

If the drain pipe is clogged, then before you start cleaning it, you must wash the drain pan, as well as other elements of the air conditioning system. Work to clean the drainage is carried out with the device disconnected from the network and is carried out in the following order:

The first step is to remove the coarse filters.
Next, the lower narrow panel is dismantled, hiding the fastenings of the housing to the air conditioner.
Then the drain pan is removed - in each design this operation is carried out differently, but it is not difficult, and it is quite possible to figure it out on the spot. It is necessary to remove this structural element in order to clean it from dirt, and also in order to get to the hole into which water flows from the pan and to which a drainage tube is attached.

The next step is to disconnect the drain tube from the air conditioner and attach the compressor hose to it ( hand pump), a steam generator or a vacuum cleaner with a blowing function.

Another cleaning option can be a mechanical method. To do this, take a long one, enough hard, but at the same time a flexible wire (something like a television cable works well), which is inserted into a disconnected drainage tube or directly through a hole in the tray. It is pushed through the entire drainage system. Thus, it should appear from a pipe facing the street through which the condensate leaves.
However, these are not all the actions necessary in this process, since it must be taken into account that the plug from the tube was removed, but the dirt still remained in it along the drains. When the air conditioner operates, new dust will easily adhere to these remaining dirt, and the plug will be restored. Therefore, the tube must be rinsed thoroughly. This can be done using a pump or homemade device, consisting of plastic bottle and a piece of silicone hose placed around its neck.

To flush the drainage tube, it is recommended to use chlorhexidine, which is an excellent antiseptic and is sold at the pharmacy. Rinsing will require approximately 400 ml of liquid.

If flushing is carried out through the drainage hole, that is, without removing the tube from it, then the flushing liquid can be poured through it. The bottle with chlorhexidine has a spout, which allows you to carry out this procedure without the use of improvised means. After 15–20 minutes, the system must be additionally purged using a vacuum cleaner or pump. After cleaning the system, it is recommended to check it immediately. To do this, one and a half liters of ordinary water is again poured into it using one of the methods described above, which should flow freely through the pipe on the street.

If the air conditioner is equipped with a drain pump, that is, the condensate is not discharged to the street, leakage may occur for the following reasons:

Failure of the pump - it may not work properly full power or burn out altogether. In any case, the device must be checked, and for this it will have to be removed.
If the float chamber is clogged and the float is fixed in one position, the pump will stop draining water.
The float or proximity sensor does not work.
The air outlet tube is pinched.
Insufficient contact of the pump power terminals.

To find the cause of problems in models that have drainage pump, you will have to invite a specialist to repair climate control equipment. It is not recommended to meddle with this system yourself.

Automatic air conditioner cleaning system

Some modern models air conditioners are equipped with an automatic cleaning system. The principle of operation is quite simple - with a certain periodicity the device switches to “idle” operation, and the air passing through the filters dries all parts of the structure.

In addition to the usual automatic cleaning, some models are equipped with ionic air purification. Thanks to the latter, dust particles are ionized and therefore easily fall into the dust collector. In another version of the device, water ionized dust is used to protect against unpleasant odors - this is a system of complete ionization and filtration.

In addition, such air conditioners are usually equipped with sensors that can monitor the composition of the air. If necessary, they command the automatic cleaning system to turn on.

These features of the air conditioner extend its service life and make it easier to maintain. However, you should not think that you will not have to clean the device manually or call a specialist for this purpose, since automatic system will not be able to remove and wash its filters, and this must be done, one way or another.

Find out and also read the criteria for evaluating devices in a special article on our portal.

Cleaning the external unit of the split system

Design of the external unit of the air conditioner

Now, having figured out how to clean the internal unit of a split system, you need to consider how preventative work is carried out on its external part.

Unlike the internal unit, the external unit is washed once a year, but this is still necessary, since it becomes clogged not only with dust, but also with leaves, poplar fluff, small twigs and other debris. From this it becomes clear that it is absolutely impossible not to clean this part of the air conditioner. It is most difficult to take preventive measures if the device is installed on the upper floors multi-storey buildings, in this case, you cannot do without specialists.

The design of the external unit consists of the following blocks and parts:

1 – Fan, takes most housing of the external unit of the air conditioner. Its functions are to blow the heat exchanger-condenser.

2 – Capacitor located along the inner walls of the case, near the fan. It is a collection of copper tubes, inside of which freon is pumped, which is cooled by a running fan.

3 – Compressor ensures circulation of freon through the common closed circuit of the air conditioner. This device comes in two types - piston and spiral. The piston version of the compressor is more affordable, but less reliable, unlike a piston device. This factor is especially important given the conditions of low winter temperatures.

4 – Control board, but it is only available in inverter-type air conditioners. In other climate control devices, all electronics are located in the internal housing, since external natural factors can negatively affect the electronic units.

5 – Four-way valve installed only in reversible air conditioner models, that is, capable of not only cooling, but also heating rooms. This control unit is necessary to change the direction of freon movement when switching the device to heating mode. After this, in fact, the outdoor and indoor units change their functions - the outdoor unit begins to work for cooling, and the indoor unit begins to work for heating the air pumped through it.

6 – Union connections available on both the indoor and outdoor units, since they are connected to them copper tubes, connecting the air conditioning department into one common system refrigerant circulation.

7 – Filter to clean the refrigerant, it is installed in front of the compressor and protects it from small particles and copper chips, which often remain in the circuit during installation of the air conditioner.

8 – Protective cover covering electrical cable terminals and fitting connections. However, in some models such a cover is provided only for electrical connections, the fittings remain open.

Cleaning the external unit of the air conditioner

Cleaning the external unit of the air conditioner can be done with your own hands only if it is installed in a private house, and you can safely work from a stepladder, or on the balcony of a high-rise building. Independent work at heights without special equipment, a safety net or experience – it is strictly prohibited!

Prices for LG air conditioners

LG air conditioner

The cleaning process is carried out in stages, in the following order:

The first step is to completely de-energize the device.
Next, the front panel of the external unit is dismantled. Having removed it, the owner would probably immediately will see the entire volume upcoming works.
First, all large debris found in the housing is removed - it is this that slows down the operation of the air conditioner. Large debris can usually be removed by hand and no tools are required for this process.
The next step is to remove dust layers from hard to reach places housings. For this purpose, brushes of different widths and a hand-held vacuum cleaner are used.

The fan blades can also be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and, if necessary, wiped with a damp cloth. Wet cleaning must be done carefully so that water does not get on electrical contacts. If you have to use a large amount of water to wash the fan, then the electrical unit should be covered with plastic wrap.
The capacitor has smooth smooth surfaces, so cleaning it is not difficult - this can be done with a regular damp cloth or sponge.
Before replacing the front panel, it should also be thoroughly washed and dried.
The electrical unit of the device should not be touched. Its repair and prevention should be carried out by specialists.
The air conditioner can only be turned on after it has completely dried.

Find out how to do this and check out a few simple models with step-by-step instructions in a special article on our portal.

At the end of the topic I would like to give a few useful tips, which will help you avoid making mistakes when operating and cleaning climate control devices.

Haier air conditioner prices

Haier air conditioner

When purchasing an air conditioner, it is recommended to conclude a contract for service maintenance device. During the warranty period, it can be carried out free of charge.
Timely preventative maintenance will extend the trouble-free operation of the air conditioner and eliminate many problems.
It is recommended to entrust the first cleaning and disinfection of the air conditioner to specialists from service department. At the same time, it is worth carefully monitoring how they carry out preventive measures, so that you can then use their experience when performing independent work.
If the air conditioner begins to malfunction, then you should not think that the malfunction will go away on its own. It is necessary to disconnect it from the power supply and call a technician for diagnostics and possible repairs.
If you decide to clean it yourself, you must use special detergents and disinfectants. In addition, to clean the radiator of the indoor unit it is convenient to use comb brushes, which are designed specifically for this purpose.

Air conditioner cleaning will be better if you use a steam cleaner. A jet of hot steam not only removes dirt, but also carries out preventive disinfection of structural parts.
Assembly and connection to the network can be done only after all parts of the air conditioner have completely dried.
You cannot start the air conditioner when it is internal surfaces and the fan are coated with detergents. Doing this is extremely dangerous, as water can get into the electrical unit of the device, which will cause a short circuit in the network. In addition, dirt accumulated on the fan blades will scatter throughout the room, ending up on the surfaces of the walls, ceiling, floor, furniture and other interior items.
In order for the device to serve for a long time, you must follow all the rules for its operation specified by the manufacturer in the instructions.

So, from all that has been said above, it becomes clear that it is quite possible to carry out work on cleaning climate control equipment yourself, if you know the design of the device and the procedure for carrying out this process. If the owner can carry out air conditioner maintenance on his own once and understands all the nuances, he will no longer have to call a specialist for this purpose, since a specialist will only be needed to solve more serious problems.

And, probably, an interested reader will find a video story useful, in which an amateur master shows how he cleans his air conditioner on his own.

A long time ago different types Air conditioners have become almost the main equipment in our homes, since thanks to them we establish an ideal microclimate in our premises and, thus, escape from heat or cold. But there is no equipment that does not require regular maintenance, so for the air conditioner to operate efficiently and properly, think about cleaning its parts. In what cases can you clean the device yourself at home, and in what cases will you need the help of a specialist?

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

Equipment should be cleaned immediately in the following cases:

The air conditioner began to consume more electricity.
The climate system began to work worse or its power decreased.
When you turn on the air conditioner, a characteristic crackling or loud noise is heard from the electricity. In this case, you should check the unit's turbines or filters for clogging.
During operation of the equipment, a condensate leak appeared from its external unit.
An unpleasant and pungent odor that appears immediately after turning on the air conditioner. This is a warning that there are problems with drainage system or evaporator grille.
The appearance of gurgling or popping sounds, which indicate that the drainage has become worse or the cooling system is losing refrigerant.
External unit makes a characteristic tapping sound, which means it’s time to clean its body from clogging. The fan blades no longer rotate or catch on another object.

If you treat the air conditioner with care, it will last its entire service life without repair, which is about 11 years of ideal operation.

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

Before you start cleaning your air conditioner, determine the types of work that need to be done. The following processes are carried out independently: cleaning the fan, heat exchanger, filters, drainage.

The outdoor unit also needs cleaning, but it is better to hire a professional to do this job. Working at height is not safe and requires special equipment and experience.

For self-cleaning techniques you will need tools:

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

Cleaning filters

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

How to clean the heat exchanger

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

First, the internal block in the device opens.
It is also important to clean a dirty air conditioner heat exchanger
Get the grate.
We take out the heat exchanger grille
Use a vacuum cleaner to collect all the dust from the grate. The vacuum cleaner should operate at medium power.
It is better to clean the heat exchanger with a soft brush.
Wipe the grill with a slightly damp cloth so that there are no traces of dirt or dust accumulation left later.
Wipe the heat exchanger grill with a rag
We insert the element into its original place and cover it with a lid.
Treating the heat exchanger with an antiseptic
You need to wait a little before turning on the air conditioner.

How to clean the outside of the device

Also, the external unit of the device needs constant cleaning, although it gets dirty much less than the internal one, so it needs to be removed from dust once every 6 months.

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

When the outdoor unit is located within reach for servicing, use a compressor. A hose with a fitting is pushed into the housing and the valve opens. This way you will remove dirt outside the air conditioner grille.

How to clean a fan

The fan is located inside the unit, so you need to open the cover to see its blades. The accumulation of dust on the fan prevents it from working properly. You can remove plaque in this way:

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

Cleaning the fan from dust must be done carefully and carefully so as not to damage the parts.

Cleaning the drain

The drainage of the device is cleaned using antibacterial treatment. This process includes maintenance of all equipment components. If you have a steam generator, this procedure can be completed much faster.

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

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

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

There should be no drafts in the room where the air conditioner is installed. Close doors and windows to maintain the required temperature, otherwise the equipment will work in increased mode, which will increase the load on the compressor and fan.
Unnecessarily, do not turn on the air conditioner for maximum airflow, as well as minimum airflow. temperature regime, because with constant high power operation of the equipment, internal parts wear out faster.
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°C.
Servicing must be carried out regularly. For intensive use twice a year, for moderate use - once a year. Specialized companies will charge a relatively inexpensive price for such a service, but this increases the likelihood of preventing serious repairs in the future.
The indoor unit of the system should not be directly exposed to sunlight.
After long downtime The air conditioner switches on to ventilation mode to run the entire system. This will remove accumulated condensation and eliminate unpleasant odors.
The air flow coming from the air conditioner should not have any obstacles in its path.
The external unit must be protected from exposure to precipitation. For example, make a canopy that will prevent snow and rain from falling on the block. You can also install an anti-vandal grille.
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 the equipment less dirty. To do this, follow these rules:

Ventilate the room periodically 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 the equipment;
do not touch the equipment with wet hands;
do not let animals sit on it.

In what cases can you not do without a service center?

When buying an air conditioner, be prepared for the fact that in some cases you will not be able to do without service. There are several reasons that will force you to turn to specialists:

You cannot eliminate any of these reasons yourself, which means you cannot do without service.

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

Now you already know how to maintain an air conditioner, but the process of cleaning various parts must be carried out carefully, since you can damage the equipment or injure yourself. What can we say about the fact that a badly damaged element will have to be replaced. Also make sure that after cleaning, the air conditioner parts dry thoroughly. Comprehensive maintenance will help you use your air conditioner for a long time.

Mold cannot grow well when the air conditioner is running because the environment becomes cold, but between cycles and for long periods when the air conditioner is not needed, mold grows good field for activities.

Cleaning your air conditioner regularly improves your health by removing mold and dust, and it also improves the efficiency of the air conditioner.

This article is about how to clean your air conditioner.

Cleaning a window air conditioner requires very little except a lot of patience. If you don’t have patience, then it’s better to delegate this task to climate control equipment specialists.

Required tools:

tin can or container
vacuum cleaner
long handle brush
oil
rags
detergent spray bottle
Screwdriver Set
cooling plate (optional)
new filter (if disposable ones are used)

Air conditioner cleaning procedure

1. Start by removing the filter from the front grille.

If it is a disposable type, then simply replace it with a new one.

Reusable filters come in a plastic frame and can be cleaned and reused. To clean this type of filter, place it flat in the sink and sprinkle the surface with laundry detergent.

Then fill it up hot water until the filter is immersed in water. Soak it for 15 minutes.

Then remove the filter from the water and rinse with warm water. Set it aside in a dry place and move on to the next step.

2. Remove the front grilles on the main part of the air conditioner.

They are usually attached to two spring clips at the bottom. They can be removed by pulling the grilles slightly forward while pressing them down.

If you feel resistance, then you need to inspect the structure for hidden screws. They may be near the top edge of the grille or behind the control knob mounting area.

After removing the grates, set them aside.

3. Carefully remove the metal cover of the air conditioner.

After all screws are removed, lift the cover up. Be careful not to touch other parts of the air conditioner as it may have sharp edges.

Now we need an old tin can or container. With its help you can control all the screws that you unscrew.

Often used in air conditioning Various types and screw sizes. Separate them from each other or you will not avoid confusion during assembly.

4. Check the fan motor for oil fill hole and oil plugs.

If your engine has oil plugs, they are usually rubber.

Be careful when removing them as the rubber may have become brittle. They often disintegrate in the holes and end up clogging them. In such cases, try removing the plugs using a needle or small screwdriver.

Once the fan motor oil fill holes are open, add a few drops of oil to each end of the motor housing.

Use oil general purpose(3 in 1) or clean motor oil. A 30% lubricant will do.

The natural tendency is to add too much oil. But too much lube is just as bad as not enough.

Therefore, only 3 or 4 drops on both ends of the motor housing will be sufficient. Add the oil slowly, stopping for a few seconds after each drop. If you add it too quickly you will end up with too much.

5. Use a brush to remove dust and dirt from the surface of the evaporator (cooling plates).

Movements should be performed in an up and down direction. Do not clean from side to side, as this may bend the plates.

The cooling fins are very soft, made of aluminum and can be easily damaged.

Once the dirt has been removed from the surface, spray it with a cleaner. There is a good product on the market called HVAC purifier.

As the name suggests, it is designed for cleaning coils of heating and ventilation equipment and air conditioners. If you don't have one and can't purchase one, a spray cleaner for kitchens and bathrooms would also be suitable.

Leave it on for 15 minutes or according to the instructions on the cleaner. This will allow the product to act on all hidden dirt.

Remove dirt and cleaning agent residue by pouring slowly warm water into the plates. Do not allow water to penetrate electrical connections or components that may be near the coil.

As an additional precaution, cover the engine with cloths to protect it from water.

Do not use air or water under high pressure as this may push dirt further into the plates. Also, perform all operations with extreme caution as these coils are filled with high pressure refrigerant.

6. Straighten the bent plates.

If possible, use a plate brush if available. If you don't have a plate brush, you can use something soft, like a Popsicle stick.

Straightening the plates will increase the efficiency of airflow through the coils. This will enhance the overall cooling effect produced by the air conditioner.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the capacitor coil (back plates).

The capacitor plates are usually covered with a plastic casing.

If this is the case in your case, check the top edge to see if it is raised or open. If it opens, it will make it easier to access the capacitor plates.

Again be careful as the condenser is also filled with high pressure refrigerant.

8. Wipe any accumulated dirt from both fan blades with a soft cloth.

Do not bend the plates. This will cause vibration which will damage the engine.

9. Vacuum all surfaces, including the front and rear grilles of the unit.

Don't forget to vacuum under the metal cover of the air conditioner. If the cover contains ventilation holes, they must be completely cleaned.

If necessary, you can use a damp cloth. Also, use an old rag to remove any buildup of debris from the base.

10. Drain any remaining water in the base and let it dry for several hours.

After complete drying, connect the air conditioner and test it. If everything looks good, unplug it and reassemble.

After assembly is complete, retest the air conditioner to see if replacing the cap has affected anything.

Installing a cover will typically bend the frame and may cause internal parts to move out of balance. This may cause the fan to become noisy.

To fix this problem, remove the cover and level the main part of the air conditioner. Reinstall the cover and test for noise each time you install every two or three additional screws on the cover.

Finally, cover the air conditioner with plastic wrap or an old blanket. Store in a warm, dry place.

Raise it slightly off the floor by placing it on a couple of pieces of wood. This will protect the floor from the metal edges of the air conditioner and also protect the air conditioner from moisture.

Repeat this simple procedure annually. If you do this, you are guaranteed many more years of reliable service.

IN modern houses there are more and more household appliances for various purposes. One of the newest devices gradually entering our lives is air conditioners.

Like any others automatic devices, these products require maintenance. Today we will tell you how to clean the air conditioner yourself right at home, without calling a professional.

Regular maintenance of household appliances

Air conditioner problems

While using the device, you will immediately feel that it is not working at full capacity, that its insides are clogged. To prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside the device, it will need to be cleaned. The indoor unit is located in our apartment, so it will not be difficult to get to it; the external unit is located outside, but you will rarely need to approach it.

Don’t worry, anyone can handle this task with their own hands, even if they don’t have a general understanding of how such equipment works. To bring your unit back to life, it will be enough to clean its filter from dirt, inspect the insides and pay a little attention appearance. The indoor unit is subject to less contamination than the external unit, but the operation of the device entirely depends on its functioning.

It is advisable to clean the air conditioner filter from dirt every month when the device operates tightly. If there are people in the house who suffer from asthma or allergies, then you will have to clean more often, for example, once a week. However, once you have mastered the procedure for cleaning the device yourself, you will do everything automatically.

Even the average person can take care of their home air conditioner

What threatens us if we ignore the cleaning of the air conditioner:

first of all, a dirty filter will affect the quality of operation of the device, and the air coming out of it will not be as fresh and clean as it should be;
due to accumulated dirt, the internal unit of the device will emit an unpleasant odor;
the internal radiator of the device will overheat as a result of poor cooling, which will certainly affect the entire drainage system;
the air cooling system will begin to work unstably, after which the device will make various noisy and crackling sounds that we would not want to hear in our homes;
the drainage system of the device will fall into a very neglected state, which may cause condensation to drip directly into the apartment, rather than leaving through a pipe outside the house;
If you want to clean the air conditioner, you will face great difficulties in the form of a huge amount of dirt, mold and other unpleasant contaminants inside the device.

Such conditions will create a favorable environment for mold, microorganisms, mites to appear inside the device, and as a result unpleasant odor. Therefore, in order not to bring the unit to such a state, it is easier to clean it properly yourself at home, or call a professional a couple of times.

Cleaning the machine

The most important and simplest action that we can do with our air conditioner ourselves is to clean its filter. The filtration system in many devices is identical; there are some features in models from different manufacturers, but they are minor. Replacing the filter or cleaning it at home is very simple, as the documentation for the device will tell you about.

The entire algorithm of actions to help clean the filter is described and drawn in the instructions. There you can also find the general theory of operation of the device, methods for cleaning its other elements, such as the radiator, outdoor unit.

Removing and cleaning the device filters from accumulated dirt

The list of processes for cleaning the filter yourself looks like this:

To remove the filter from the device, you must open the air conditioner cover located on indoor unit, most often it just needs to be lifted up;
To remove small amounts of dust, it is convenient to use a vacuum cleaner;
if the appliance has been cleaned for a long time, and the dirt is old, then take the grille to the bathroom and wash it under running water, but do not use detergents, water is enough;

Detergents should not be used, as they can damage the filter itself, and during operation, parts of the composition remaining on the grilles will pollute the air entering the apartment.

after washing, the filter must be dried and only then placed in the indoor unit;
special compounds are sold for air conditioners that allow you to disinfect its insides, they are sprayed into the air, and the device is cleaned by running it through; to do this, turn it on like a fan and spray the composition;
Wipe the outer part of the device, including the blinds, with a damp cloth, after which the device can be assembled and started up in normal mode.

Some air conditioners are equipped with disposable filters for air purification, which must be replaced with new ones as they become dirty. Please pay attention to this point when purchasing a device.

Like many other devices, the air conditioner has a radiator (heat exchanger), which is located under the filter or immediately under the cover. You can clean it from dust with the same vacuum cleaner, if you can reach the hose. It is highly not recommended to wash the inside of the device, especially with your own hands, without the help of experts. The instructions for the device talk about steam cleaning, but only professional specialists can clean the device in this way.

Maintaining the device in working condition is not at all difficult

Once or twice a year, you will have to clean the external unit of the air conditioner, located outside, on the wall of the house, from dirt. Most often, the outdoor unit is cleaned after winter. It is very good if the device is secured in an accessible position, but if not, you will have to call the experts.

In many multi-storey buildings, cleaning the air conditioner from the outside is impossible without special devices. Agree with your neighbors and call a team to clean all devices on your side of the house, prepare immediately after winter for the arrival of the summer season, when the device will be urgently needed.

To clean the external unit you will need to remove protective grille, clean it of dust and dirt, after which you need to inspect the insides of the outer part of the device and vacuum them. Since this part of the device is located outdoors, a large amount of dirt accumulates in it, which we need to remove. After all cleaning procedures, the block is assembled.

External air conditioner unit of a popular brand

In the event of various breakdowns of the device, do not try to repair it yourself, unless, of course, you are a certified engineer and refrigeration specialist. Call the professionals, let them see what is leaking and why the unit is not cooling.

For normal operation of the device, monitor it regular care, there are no particular difficulties in this. But a clean and ready-to-use device will help you regulate the microclimate in your apartment, refresh hot air and ventilate the room.

Do you know how to clean a window air conditioner? Keeping your air conditioner clean helps it work more efficiently. Follow the tips listed below to thoroughly clean your air conditioner.

Cleaning a Window Air Conditioner

You will need:

Screwdriver
Dishwashing liquid
Vacuum cleaner
Blind cleaning device
Rag
Bristle brush
Wire

How to clean a window air conditioner:

Disconnect the device from the network.
Remove the front panel by unscrewing it with a screwdriver or removing it from the latches, depending on the design of the air conditioner.
Remove the filter. If the filter is replaceable or very dirty, it is recommended to replace it. If the filter is washable, wash it with dishwashing liquid and warm water. If the filter is not washable, vacuum it thoroughly with a handheld vacuum cleaner.
Attach the appropriate attachment to your vacuum cleaner to clean all accessible surfaces.
Allow it to dry completely before installing the filter in the air conditioner unit.
If any of the metal curtains turns out to be bent, it must be straightened with a special tool that can be found at a hardware store.
Move to the outer surfaces, remove dust from them, not forgetting the grille. This will help keep the filter clean for as long as possible.
Unscrew one of the outer panels of the unit and remove any leaves or other debris that has gotten inside.
If you can access the metal blades, wipe them with a damp cloth.
Make sure the drain pan and drain tube openings are not clogged. If they are clogged, clear them with a piece of wire.
Some window units installed in a housing with an open window. If you have such an enclosure, remove the unit several times a year and remove any leaves or branches that have collected in the enclosure.

The filter should be cleaned in the spring and every month when the device is in use.
The coil can only be washed with water.
Vacuum the coil with care. It can be bent very easily.
Older devices may require lubrication. You can find out whether your air conditioner requires annual lubrication from the instruction manual. If the instructions are not saved, contact the manufacturer or look for instructions on the Internet. Most new devices do not require lubrication.