Room air c­onditioners, also called window units, work the same way central air conditioners do. They are smaller than central systems and often more expensive to operate. Depending on its size, a room unit may cool only the room in which it's located, or it may be able to cool adjoining rooms as well. Sandwiched between the coils are a compressor, two fans, a motor, and thermostat controls. Dirt is the biggest enemy of window air conditioners; it can lower the efficiency of the evaporator coil, block the operation of the fan that blows out the cool air, clog filters, and block drain ports. How to Diagnose a Water Heater Problem How to Diagnose Sump Pump Problems How to Verify Refurbished Electronics are Legitimate How do you sharpen a knife with sandpaper? The Ultimate Refacing an Appliance Quiz The coils, the compressor, and the motor of a room air conditioner are sealed components, so any repairs to them should be left to a professional service person.

However, you can make minor repairs, and regular maintenance will keep your unit running well. When extensive repairs are needed, you can also save the cost of a service call by removing the air conditioner from its mounting and taking it to the repair shop. During the winter, room air conditioners should be protected from the elements. heating cooling wall units reviewsEither remove the unit from its mounting and store it or cover the outside portion of the unit with a commercial room air conditioner cover or with heavy plastic sheeting, held in place with duct tape.ac dx unit Caution: Before doing any work on a room air conditioner, make sure it's unplugged. outside ac unit turns offRoom air conditioners have either one or two capacitors, located behind the control panel and near the fan.

Capacitors store electricity, even when the power to the unit is turned off. Before you do any work on an air conditioner, unplug it and discharge the capacitor or you could receive a severe shock. The unit's owner's manual will show the location of capacitors and tell how to discharge them. Otherwise, let an air conditioning technician do it. The filter, power cord, coils, switch, thermostat, drain ports, and fan are important to service on a routine basis to avoid larger problems. Below are guidelines on how to maintain these key parts. At the beginning of every cooling season and once a month during the season, remove the front grille and clean or replace the filter. If you live in a very dusty area, clean or replace the filter more often. Most room air conditioners have a washable filter that looks like sponge rubber. Clean the filter with a solution of mild household detergent and water; Let the filter dry completely before reinstalling it. Some units have a throwaway filter, similar to a furnace filter.

When this type of filter becomes dirty, replace it with a new one of the same type. The power cord that connects the air conditioner to the wall outlet may become worn and fail to supply electricity to the unit. To check the cord, remove the control panel. Unscrew the cord terminals and then attach a test wire across the bare lead wires. Hook the clips of a volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) set to the RX1 scale to the prongs of the cord's plug. If the meter reads zero, the cord is functioning. If the meter reads higher than zero, replace the cord. Clean the evaporator and condenser coils at the beginning of the cooling season and every month during the season. If you live in a very dusty area, clean the coils more often. Use a vacuum cleaner on these components. If the fins on the coils are bent, straighten them with a fin comb, sold at most appliance parts outlets. A fin comb is designed to slide into the spaces between the fins. Use it carefully as the fins are made of light-gauge aluminum and are easily damaged.

The selector switch, located directly behind the control panel, turns the unit on. If the air conditioner does not run at any setting, and it is receiving power, chances are the switch is faulty. To correct the problem, remove the control panel and locate the switch. Check the switch terminals for burnt insulation or burn marks on the terminals. If you see any indication of burning, replace the switch with a new one of the same type. The switch is held to the control panel or frame with screws; unscrew it and connect the new one the same way. If you determine the problem may not be the switch, call a professional service person. Maintaining the thermostat and drain ports on your home air-conditioning window unit is vital to keep the whole system working properly. It won't be a difficult or burdensome task if you folllow the guidelines mentioned below.As the heat and humidity begin to overwhelm us, we wonder how we'd survive without air conditioning. It's convenient to turn on the AC as soon as the temperature makes you uncomfortable but doing so could be harmful to more than just your wallet.

Old and poorly-maintained AC units have been shown as factors in many health conditions, including respiratory conditions and the spread of some diseases. Fortunately, it's quite easy to minimize any such risks. Since air conditioning is everywhere now -- in our homes, cars and offices -- it's important to maintain clean units to protect indoor air quality and personal well-being. One popular service you may see advertised is air duct cleaning. While the EPA cannot provide evidence to support the claim that cleaning your home's air ducts every year will reduce health problems, it does recommend having them cleaned if there is visible mold growth or a buildup of dust. Industry professionals also warn against the health problems associated with visible dust and mold. "There are several reasons to have a professional HVAC technician evaluate or clean your air conditioning system each year before you put it into operation," says Steve Beeler, president of RSC Heating and Air Conditioning.

"Most importantly is the health and safety of the occupant." "The indoor section of an air conditioning unit creates condensation all summer long when the air conditioning unit runs, and is a prime catalyst for mold and mildew growth," says Beeler. "As the system lays dormant over winter, the mold can spread and grow and, if not cleaned properly, can create respiratory problems and what some people refer to as a 'dirty sock odor.' The blower wheel and motor also can become dust covered, which is a food source for mold to thrive." Had part of your home renovated recently? That's another good reason to have your air ducts cleaned. Home renovations, especially if the changes were made to remove asbestos or lead-based paint, can cause unwanted debris to get caught inside ductwork. Having this debris cleaned out before you begin using your AC unit for the summer ensures that you don't end up circulating dust and particles from the renovation throughout your home. In addition to having a professional clean you air ducts, there are other steps you can take to make your air conditioner safer.

Read on to learn more about poor air quality and how you can improve it. How Can Your AC Unit Cause Poor Air Quality in Your Home? Most residential AC units recirculate indoor air to save energy. This can negatively impact indoor air quality without a minimum of 15 cubic feet of outside makeup air per minute per person. When basic maintenance such as changing the filters is not performed, airflow is restricted. When filters are dirty they don't stop allergens, pesticides and other outside irritants from entering your home. Window units that are not properly sealed let in outside air, undermining the work of the unit. Your AC unit may have to run more and work harder to keep your house at the desired temperature. How Can You Protect Yourself Against AC Air Pollution? There are many small steps you can take to protect yourself and your family against air contamination caused by a dirty air conditioning unit. Often, it's simply a matter of thinking about it and remembering to act before the summer gets underway.