A professional air-conditioner service or checkup can cost you a lot of money, but you can keep that cash in your pocket by doing some simple maintenance of your own at the beginning and the end of the air-conditioning season. Follow these do-it-yourself servicing steps to stay cool all spring and summer long. First, switch off the main electricity current to the air conditioner and locate the capacitor. You can easily locate the capacitor by following the directions provided by your air conditioner's manufacturer. The condenser fan will probably be covered with dust, so you should clean it with a brush thoroughly. Although an air-conditioning servicing expert could charge you around $700 to repair the condenser, you can begin by removing the cover grill and detach the setscrew holding the fan in place. Then, remove the fan to gain access to the oil parts. Lubricate the fan motor with oil specified by the manufacturer. Clean the condenser coils using a garden hose. Remove the coil guard before spraying the inside unit.

This will prevent the accumulation of water-soaked debris inside the fins. If the fins are bent, straighten them with a fin comb. You can also clean the fins with the fin comb. If you need new refrigerant, you should consider hiring a professional. While you can change it yourself, it’s important you know how to ensure that no harmful gases are leaked into the atmosphere during the process.costs of new air conditioner unit If the filter is beyond repair, you should change it. 2 ton ac unit for mobile homeHowever, if it’s just dirty, you can easily clean it. how to hard start an ac unitFailure to clean the filter or change it can lead to developing fungi and bacteria that shouldn’t be inhaled. To clean the filter, remove the casing that encompasses the air-filter.

Remove the filter and clean it with a cloth. You can then clean the filter with non-abrasive soap and water. Repeat this procedure once every two weeks to enhance the life of the air-filter. Ensure that it is completely dry before reattaching it to the unit. If your filter is too dirty, you can purchase a plastic electrostatic-mesh filter from a local supplier for about $7. Cut the new filter with a pair of scissors. Rinse it with clean water, and then allow it to dry off completely. Then, install the filter by slipping it into place where the old one was. Clean the air ducts regularly with a vacuum cleaner. This will help to remove debris or dust particles that get sucked into the ducts. Check various parts such as fuses, breakers, and the thermostat on a regular basis. Ensure that all the connections are in place, and continue to check the heat side of your HVAC, too, for optimum performance.Error 404: File Not Found The requested page is not found. This may happen due to the following reasons:

Page or file is outdated, renamed, moved, or does not exist. Please contact your webmaster if you are not sure what goes wrong. © Copyright 1999-2013, Parallels All rights reserved This page is autogenerated by Parallels® H-SphereWhy Perform Air Conditioner or Heating Self Maintenance? - With the proper self maintenance your air conditioner, furnace, ventilator or humidifier will work more economically and be more dependable for years to come. With a few easy and routine procedures you can keep your unit at peak performance and get the maximum amount of comfort from your HVAC system. Remember that self maintenance is no substitute for professional maintenance but can add greatly to the efficiency of routine professional maintenance. Click here for more on professional maintenance. Important - Please read our disclaimer and the following safety procedures before you attempt any maintenance work yourself. 1) Disconnect All Power Sources - Please be sure to disconnect all electrical power to the unit before you remove any of the access panels or attempt to perform any maintenance procedures.

Always remember that there may be more than one power connection switch. If you are unsure about this do not attempt to perform any procedure. Instead get a professional to assist you. 2) Beware of Sharp Edges - Be very careful when you handle parts or reach into units. Many of the metal parts and housings have very sharp edges which can cause severe injury. 3) Follow All Safety Procedures - Follow all safety precautions suggested by the manufacturer of the equipment. 4) Use common sense - If something seems dangerous don't do it. Instead consult a professional. Now that we have warned you of what to look out for let's move on. Proper Self Maintenance Saves you Money and Provides More Comfort - With the proper self maintenance your air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and humidifier systems will be more efficient reducing the strain on the unit saving you money on energy costs and repairs. They will also be more dependable providing excellent service for years to come.

With a few easy and routine procedures you can help your service professional keep your unit at peak performance and get the maximum amount of comfort from your system for the lowest cost. Air Conditioning Maintenance - Find out everything you need to know about maintaining your own air conditioning unit including when to call in a professional for help. Heater Maintenance - Find out what you need to do to maintaining your own heating unit including what services should be done by a professional. Humidifier Maintenance - Proper maintenance of your humidifier is important to keep it running smoothly. Find out what you need to do to maintain your system here. Ventilator Maintenance - Proper maintenance of your ventilator system is important to keep it running smoothly. Find out what you need to know here. Professional Maintenance - Find out what you need to know about professional maintenance of your HVAC system here.Edit ArticleHow to Clean Air Conditioner Coils

Cleaning your air conditioner's condenser coils regularly will let your air conditioner run cooler with less energy and make you feel more comfortable. The best time to clean your air conditioner is in the spring, just before you anticipate using it for the first time in the year. Here are the steps to follow to clean your air conditioner coils. Disconnect power to the air conditioner. Trim away any plant growth around the air conditioner. Detach the outer case or access panels. Remove the top of the air conditioner. Clean and lubricate the fan assembly. Brush away surface dirt from the air conditioner coils. Spray-clean away trapped dirt from the coils. You can do this with just water, or if the dirt is considerable, a biodegradable foaming cleaner mixed with water. Spray the cleaner from the outside in and let it soak in for 10 to 15 minutes. You may wish to re-apply the cleaner and let the second application soak for another 5 minutes. Before you spray the air conditioner, cover any electric wires or motors with plastic.