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Keep your air conditioner in tip-top condition to beat the heat

All air-cons should be cleaned regularly to cope with the stifling Spanish summers

One of the most effective ways to combat the punishing temperatures during a heatwave in Spain is to ensure that your home remains pleasantly cool at all times, allowing you somewhere comfortable to escape to when the sun gets to be too much.

Effective air conditioning can be a life-saver during the summer, but over time these important devices can become sluggish and less efficient. However, a simple clean could be all your air-con unit needs to keep it in tip-top working order.

Why you should clean your AC

A regular clean will produce the following benefits:

Extend longevity: regular cleaning will prevent the components from wearing out, giving your unit a longer lifespan.
Fewer repairs: by removing dirt build-up and clogs, you'll lessen the likelihood of mechanical problems and avoid repairs.
Cheaper bills: a clean, unobstructed air conditioner works more efficiently, saving you money on your electricity bill.
Prevent mould: regular cleaning of your AC unit prevents the build-up of moisture and dirt, which helps prevent mould from forming.
Cleaner air: a spic-and-span air conditioner means fewer dust particles and pollutants blowing around your home.

How often should you clean your unit?

This largely depends on the brand of the air-conditioner and how often it’s used. Office machines, for example, are usually switched on all day, every day, so it’s recommended they’re cleaned every couple of months or so. Most homes, on the other hand, only use the air conditioning for a few months in the summer, so once a year should suffice.

As a general rule of thumb though, air-con units should be thoroughly cleaned before their first use of the season.

Tips for window units and central systems

Window or individual (split) air conditioning units should be given a clean every two weeks.
Central air conditioning units, on the other hand, should be inspected and professionally cleaned annually. The experts can check refrigerant levels, detect potential leaks, and clean coils to make sure your system is running optimally.

How to clean your window AC unit

Giving your air-con unit the once-over yourself is quite simple and only requires a little washing-up liquid and a cloth. Here’s what to do:

Turn off the appliance and unplug the power cord as a precaution.
Remove and clean the cover – the front cover can be secured with tabs, knobs or screws so check the manual to see how yours comes off.
Remove and clean the filter – again, this is normally on the front of the unit but check the manual just in case. Remove dust from the filter with a cloth, rinse it with warm water and mild soap, and allow it to dry completely before placing it back in the unit.
Locate and clean the coils – almost all window air conditioners have two sets of coils: the evaporator coils on the front (inside) and the condenser coils on the back (outside). Clean them with a soft brush or cloth and a small amount of washing-up liquid if needed.
Dry with a clean cloth – all parts of the unit must be dry before the front cover is replaced.

How to clean a central air conditioning unit

You can do this yourself, but as many of these appliances tend to be in hard-reach-places like the roof, it’s usually best left to the professionals.

Switch the unit off and find the vents, which can be located on the ceiling or floor, high on the walls or under a window.
Remove the grill cover and take out the filter, which sits just behind. If you have a washable filter on your vent, follow the same steps as the last section to clean it.
If you don't have a reusable filter, simply replace the old filter with a new one
Next, switch off the outdoor appliance.
Remove the top of the condensing unit and use a vacuum to clean up leaves, dirt and other debris.
Spray the unit with a hose to remove the remaining dirt, always avoiding the electrical box.
Wait 30 – 60 minutes to ensure the air-con is completely dry before turning it on.

If in doubt, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations and seek professional advice when necessary.

Contact the experts at Air Menor for a full range of plumbing, heating, solar heating and air conditioning services

Image: Pixabay

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