Air Conditioner Maintenance - What To Do If Your Cool Air Shuts Off
Regular care and light maintenance of compact room air conditioners helps assure longer service life and lower operating costs. Most important for maximum cooling is the regular cleaning of the permanent, washable filter, which removes dust, lint, and other airborne particles. It should be checked at least every 30 days of operation. The unit should also be inspected annually by yourself or a technician.
If the air conditioner is not operating, first check to see if its cord is properly plugged into the outlet. Check the main electrical panel to see if a fuse has blown, or if a breaker has tripped. If this is not the problem, turn on a light to find out if the local power supply has failed. If it has not, check to see if the air conditioner has been accidentally turned off.
If the air conditioner operates intermittently (turns off and on) or does not cool the room, check to see if anything is blocking the front of the unit. Close the doors to adjoining rooms and if the thermostat is set at less than the coldest position, turn it to that position. Also check the filter and coils for dirt accumulation. Be aware that if the air conditioner is being fed power through a long extension cord, it may not be getting enough power to operate properly.
You should be able to remove the permanent, washable-type filter, and clean it by using a vacuum cleaner. If the filter is extremely dirty or clogged, clean it in warm water with a normal amount of detergent and dry it before replacing. Plastic parts of the unit may also be cleaned with a soapy water solution, using a soft cloth.
Tip: Every year the coils and condensate water passages should be inspected and cleaned, if necessary. Although the compressor is the hermetically sealed type and the fan motor is likely to be permanently oiled, these parts should also be checked annually to ensure that they are in good operating condition.
Central Air Conditioner
There are two types of central air conditioners: the package system and the split system. The package system has the compressor, outdoor coil, indoor coil, fan, and blower motors in the same housing outside the home; it's connected to the ducts in the home through an outside wall.
The split system has the compressor, fan motor, and coil outdoors. The coil and blower motor (usually an existing furnace blower is used) is indoors and refrigerant lines run between the two sections. Your air conditioner, unless it is used in conjunction with a gas or oil furnace, may also be equipped to provide auxiliary heating with what is called a strip heating system. This system warms the air by blowing it across an electric resistance heating element.
Many times air conditioners do not start up or work properly because the electrical power is not turned on. Check the circuit breakers or fuses and load-center handles in both indoor and outdoor locations. Study the user's guide. Make sure that the setting on the thermostat is set to "cool" or "auto" and that the fan switch is set on "auto" or "on" for continuous operation. The setting should be below room temperature.
Check the coil outside to be sure that the fan is running. Make sure grilles, registers, and indoor filters are not restricting air flow. (Dirty filters are the most common cause of inadequate cooling and compressor failures.) Call a technician if you hear new, unusual noises or if the air conditioner is short-cycling (turning on and off rapidly) and not cooling properly. When performing any maintenance, be sure to shut off the electrical power.
Never use the outdoor coil as a stand for garden hoses or tools. To assure free air flow, keep the outdoor coil clean and free of grass clippings, weeds, and other debris. Keep fences and shrubs at least 2 feet away from it. Clean and wax the cabinet with car polish to protect the finish. Manufacturers recommend not covering an outdoor unit with any all-weather cover unless it is a ventilated type or is made of breathable fabric that will allow moisture to evaporate rapidly. A cover that holds moisture may cause more rust and other damage than normal exposure to weather.
Tip: Replace glass fiber throw-away filters when dirty. Clean plastic fiber or foam filters by soaking them in a mild detergent and rinsing them with cold water. Aluminum mesh filters can be washed with detergent and water, but they should be recoated according to the manufacturer's instructions.