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Before all owners of a home split system, sooner or later, the question arises ( by the way, how to determine the onset of "that" time, we will also analyze): "How to flush the conditioner?" Many people answer it simply - to call a specialized master and let the person earn a couple of thousand of their hard-earned money. But this is far from the only solution to this issue! After reading this article, you will see that self-rinsing of the air conditioner is not much more difficult than defrosting the refrigerator or cleaning the vacuum cleaner.

The dust that accumulates in your air can cause not only deterioration in the quality of its operation, but also cause damage. The fact that the split system needs cleaning is indicated by the following:

• The microclimate in the room has deteriorated significantly - people who are allergic to dust will notice this especially acutely. This happens due to the fact that the system inflates the particles of dirt accumulated in it throughout the room.
• The device has become much slower to cool the air in the room - from the fact that the dust enveloped the heat exchanger.
• One feels how hard it is for the air conditioner to work - it can hum, creak, drive the air out with a lot of noise.

Untimely cleaning or its absence will lead to serious problems in the operation of the device:

• contamination of the indoor module;
• reduction of airflow to the radiator;
• difficult cleaning of heavily soiled filters;
• contamination of the drainage system, the inevitable consequence of which is the leakage of freon.

Advice! The filter can be washed no more than 8 times, after which it must be replaced! Exposure to water degrades the throughput of the element, which can lead to deterioration of the performance of the entire air conditioner as a whole.

Sharp " symptoms»

Now let's present the signs by which one can judge that the air conditioner needs immediate cleaning:

• Unpleasant smell like mold. Basically, this is mold! Various microorganisms begin to multiply in the dust accumulations inside the device. The worst consequence of this is that the air conditioner inflates themselves and their spores in the room air. When a certain amount of these organisms enters the respiratory system of a person, over time, he may develop allergies, bronchial asthma and numerous dermatitis.
• The device consumes much more power for operation than before.
• The power of the split system with the previous factor not only did not increase, but remained the same or even decreased.
• Traces of glaciation are visible on the connecting fittings and lines.

Advice! If you notice traces of rust on the heat exchanger-evaporator, then this is a reason to contact the service center - soon a freon leak is possible.

Periodicity

Various elements of the split system need cleaning at different intervals:

• Filters: at least once a week with heavy use. If your dwelling is on the lower floors, or the outdoor unit faces a busy highway, then the element should be cleaned during daily operation of the device at least 3 times a week.
• The rest of the elements of the indoor module - twice a year. It is advisable to do this in the spring, before the start of the hot season, and in the fall, when you stop using the split system.
• It is preferable to clean the outdoor unit at least once a year. Ideally, however, twice, also in spring and autumn.

Cleaning

First of all, we will analyze the stages of cleaning the split system.

Step-by-step cleansing

Consider in the table step-by-step cleaning of the device - how to wash the air conditioner.

Preparatory stage	1. It will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the operating instructions of the device - perhaps there you will see a visual algorithm for cleaning your particular air conditioner. But the main thing is that you need to find out the type of filter of the split system, and how you can clean or replace it. 2. If the device has not been cleaned for a long time, be sure to cover the space near it with newspapers, large polyethylene or old cloth, as dust can literally fall out of the system. 3. Be sure to disconnect the air conditioner from the power supply before flushing the air conditioning system!
Cleaning ( replacement) filter	1. Open or temporarily dismantle the cover " Condera". This is done in a similar way for all devices - pull the part towards you, grabbing its right and left sides with your hands, and then push it up a bit. 2. Remove the special protective grill that protects the filter from damage and fixes it securely. Grasp the bottom of it and pull it up slightly. Feeling the pliability of the part, lower it down and then towards yourself. 3. Now you need to carefully remove the grill with the filter. 4. Clean it thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner or dry brush. 5. The next step is to rinse the filter in cold running water. If it is very dirty, then it is worth soaking it for a while in a soapy solution, and only then rinse it under the pressure of water. Aggressive cleaning agents are not advisable! 6. Dry the element naturally, without any exposure to heat. Otherwise, it can easily deform. 7. Only mesh filters can be cleaned. Pocket will only have to be replaced with new ones. 8. After the filter is completely dry, reassemble all the components in the reverse order, plug the power cord into the outlet - the device is ready for use.
Cleaning the heat exchanger-evaporator of the indoor module - structures that are tubes in which freon evaporates. This process significantly cools the indoor module itself, as well as the air flows passing through it.	The evaporator heat exchanger is an important part of your split system. Therefore, it should also be free of dust and ideally absolutely clean. How to flush the radiator of the air conditioner yourself? Cleaning it is absolutely simple: 1. Disconnect the air conditioner from the power supply. 2. Open its cover and remove the protective grill - exactly as advised by the instructions of the manufacturer of the device. 3. The heat exchanger, the space between the tubes can be blown out of dust with a vacuum cleaner, and also cleaned with a narrow brush. Avoid metal and hard brushes - they can damage the element, which will cause freon to leak. 4. If the dust has combined with condensation and turned into a kind of mud film, then only a steam cleaner can remove it. 5. Reassemble the components in reverse order. That's all there is to say about how to clean an air conditioner radiator.
Cleaning the outdoor unit	Approach this procedure with caution! We urge you to refuse it if you live in a multi-storey building - the risk is not worth paying for the work of a team of specialists. In other cases, cleaning can be done according to the following algorithm: 1. Unplug the device from the wall outlet. 2. Use a damp cloth and brush to remove any dirt accumulated on the surface of the case. 3. Connect a long hose to a water tap or use a special car wash device that releases a jet of water under pressure - you need to thoroughly rinse its contents without opening the case of the outdoor unit. A steam cleaner is also good at such washing. 4. Remove excess water with a cloth and allow the device to dry thoroughly. 5. After all procedures, the air conditioner is ready for use again!
Cleaning the drainage system	A drainage system contaminated with dust, grease, dirt, and sometimes even mold and fungus is fraught with the fact that water from it begins to flow not outside the wall, but inside the room. And the mold tends to grow on the drain pan, and then on the heat exchanger and on the inner walls of the air conditioner. Cleaning it is no more difficult than how to flush the evaporator of an air conditioner: 1. Dilute soapy water or dishwashing liquid. 2. Using a small brush, brush the inside of the tube thoroughly. 3. The final step will be to wash the drain pan with the same soapy solution.

The only necessary procedure, which we do not advise you to carry out on your own, when you need to wash the air conditioner yourself, is rinsing the fan of the indoor module - a kind of roller with peculiar " membranes". It is needed so that the cooled air is dispersed throughout the room.

If the dust clogs his membranes clean, he simply won't be able to do its job and your air conditioner will become useless. The procedure for cleaning it is very specific for a layman, and if you do not have the proper skills, you can easily break an element.

But if you are confident in your abilities, then we offer you the simplest and most effective method for flushing the fan of a split system:

1. Protect the wall and floor near the fan from flying cleaning products with large polyethylene, old oilcloth or other waterproof material.
2. Unplug the device from the mains, open the cover of the air conditioner, remove all removable interfering elements.
3. How to rinse the conditioner yourself further? Dilute the soap solution and apply it with a sponge to the partitions- " membranes»Fan. Leave them to soak for a while.
4. Connect the fan to the power supply and turn on "light mode". The air will pass through the partitions of the fan and blow off soaked debris and pieces of dust and dirt with it.
5. After a few minutes, when everything you can fly out, turn off the air conditioner again, unplug it from the outlet.
6. Do-it-yourself mechanical cleaning time - with a brush or a small brush dipped in soapy water, complete the work behind the air currents.
7. Wait for the fan to dry out, then reassemble the components in reverse order, close the cover - the device can be used!

The video in this article will demonstrate the process of cleaning the air conditioner.

Alternative cleaning

Time does not stand still, so we will introduce you to revolutionary new ways, suggesting how to rinse your home air conditioner:

• Foam spray washing. Through a narrow tube, the agent is poured into the deflectors of the system. Then 15 minutes is given for its distribution among the elements. Then the cold airing is turned on - the air conditioner works in this way for up to 5 minutes. And then - the "condo" is cleaned: the evaporator is washed out, microorganisms are destroyed.
• Aerosol cleaning. The device is turned on at minimum speed, and the spray is sprayed specifically on " honeycomb»Evaporator, smoothly and evenly. After you have sprayed all the products, you must turn on the warm mode. So the split system should work for another 10 minutes. As a result, we get a thorough cleaning of the evaporator and air ducts, as well as their disinfection.
• Remedy from WYNN's (pictured). You must select a mode in which the fan runs at full capacity and the cooling system does not function. Then " piss off»Substance into the vent using the entire can. After 15 minutes, the air conditioner will be ready for normal operation.

Cleaning spray. Suitable for car air conditioners How to wash the air conditioner - do not forget about regular peroxide
Foam cleaner Special disinfectant
Organic Cleaning Remedy from WYNN's

• Cleaning is only half of the guarantee of a trouble-free operation of an air conditioner. It is also important to use it correctly and carefully - be sure to close the windows when the device is in operation, give time to "rest", turn it on / off only using the remote control or special buttons on the case, and not pulling the cord out of the socket.
• Before all cleaning procedures, be sure to unplug the device!
• Clean the device with soft tools - brushes and brushes, soft cloth, napkin.
• To prevent mold and mildew from forming inside the device, it must be disinfected at least twice a year. For these purposes, a special liquid for washing air conditioners is produced. However, an equivalent replacement for it will be a regular hand sanitizer spray or other spray disinfectant solution with an indispensable alcohol content. Ideally, spray at least 500 ml of solution at a time. To do this, open the cover of the air conditioner, remove the protective grilles and filters. Turn on the device by selecting the highest blowdown, but the lowest temperature. See where the air is sucked in - this is the area where you need to spray the liquid. Let the device work in this way for ten minutes. Do not worry if an unpleasant smell comes from it during this time. Then disable " condo», If necessary, wipe it with a soft cloth, put all the elements back in place and close the cover.
• Better, as they say, " see once than hear a hundred times". Invite specialists to work you do not understand. Observe their actions carefully, do not hesitate to ask questions. This is what will help you to carry out subsequent cleaning on your own.

That's all we wanted to tell you about washing air conditioners. When developing a certain skill, this is a fairly simple procedure. However, in order to start it, you need to have a clear example of correct actions before your eyes.

Any climatic equipment during its operation drives through itself an infinite amount of air, which contains mechanical inclusions of various fractions, dust, bacteria and fungal spores, as well as down and hair of domestic animals. So all this would remain in the air, if the filter elements are not installed in the air conditioner, which periodically need to be replaced or cleaned. Depending on the design of the air conditioner, its capacity and purpose, the filters need to be cleaned at different times recommended by the manufacturer, and in some cases based on the "clinical" performance of the air conditioner.

When and why do you need to clean climate technology

As a rule, the situation when you have to clean a household split system is extremely rare: you need everything, but how to clean it, independently or with the help of a wizard, or call a specialized team from a cleaning company for such a case - this is the question that worries the user most often. This article is intended to answer several common questions related to cleaning air conditioners, what you can do on your own, and where professional intervention is required.

First of all, you need to answer the question: "Why do you need to clean the split system with your own hands"? Of course, for these purposes, you can call a specialist and pay him several hard earned thousand, but why pay for something that is no more difficult to accomplish than cleaning, for example, a vacuum cleaner. Few people call a specially trained person for this.

In the air conditioner, which has not undergone the prophylaxis procedure for a long time, a lot of dust has accumulated inside, which will certainly lead to problems, namely:

• Significant deterioration of the indoor climate. Dust that has settled on the air conditioner devices will spread throughout the room, which can cause allergic attacks in people in the room. You can read how to check the air in the apartment in the article.
• Difficulty in the operation of this climatic device. The thing is that the accumulated dust and dirt in the filter elements will impede the free passage of air flows.
• Significant decline. These are the consequences of dust build-up on the heat exchanger.
• The increased risk of failure of the split system due to an increase in air resistance and, as a result, an increased load on the fan motor.

"Clinical" indicators of the air conditioner indicating cleaning

One of the most striking manifestations of the long absence of air conditioner prophylaxis is the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the internal module. First of all, this speaks of the colonies of fungi and mold that have developed in the device. And with each activation of the air conditioner, millions of spores scatter around the apartment and inevitably enter the human respiratory system, leading to terrible diseases such as asthma, allergies and various types of dermatitis.

If there is a moldy smell, it is necessary to immediately clean the inside of the air conditioner and its filter elements. If you tighten up with cleaning, then the likelihood of the subsequent increases. In addition to the smell, there are several more signs of the need to clean the split system:

• Reducing the power of the device.
• Increased energy consumption.
• Icing of pipelines and fittings.

We clean up our climate technology step by step

Do-it-yourself air conditioner cleaning consists of three stages:

• cleaning or replacing the air conditioner filter;
• cleaning the "insides" of the indoor module;
• preventive cleaning of the outdoor unit.

Before carrying out any work, the climate system must be completely disconnected from the mains... In order to effectively clean the filter elements in the internal block of the split system, you need to carry out a number of sequential operations that are proposed in this article:

Advice:
Do not perform more than 8 washes of one filter element, as water violates its throughput, which affects the efficiency of the entire climate system.

How to clean the indoor unit of a split system yourself

Very often the question: "How to clean the air conditioner at home" should be understood as follows: "How to clean the indoor unit of the air conditioner with your own hands."

In addition to replacing and cleaning the filters of the internal module of the split system, you can independently clean the heat exchanger-evaporator from dust accumulated in it. It is an essential part of any climate system and must be kept perfectly clean for the unit to function well.

It is assembled from tubes in which the freon evaporation process takes place, as a result of which the evaporator is cooled. The air flows "wash" the heat exchanger and cool themselves. In order to clean the air conditioner evaporator, you need:

1. De-energize the climate system.
2. Remove the protective grille according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Using a vacuum cleaner and a thin brush, clean the heat exchanger and the space between the pipes and shut-off valves from dust.
   

   Important!
   If there are traces of metal corrosion on the surface of the heat exchanger, then you should urgently contact the service center to avoid freon leakage.

4. Reassemble the device in reverse order.

Advice:
When cleaning the evaporator of the air conditioner, do not use a hard brush or metal objects that can damage the freon line and heat exchanger.

Sometimes it is required to clean the fan of the indoor unit from dust and fat deposits, but it is strongly not recommended to do this procedure on your own. The best option would be to call a service professional.

Cleaning the compressor block of the split system

It should be immediately clear that the design of the split system assumes the location of the external block of the split system outside the room, so professionals should be engaged in disassembling and cleaning it. The only thing that needs to be done is flushing the air conditioner, or rather its external unit. For this you need:

1. De-energize the climatic device and remove the plug from the socket.
2. Use a soft brush and cloth to remove dust and dirt from the unit body.
3. By connecting the hose to the water supply network or car wash, direct the jet directly into the device and try to rinse the contents as thoroughly as possible without opening the case of the external unit of the climate system.
4. After finishing cleaning, remove excess water and device case.

Now you have learned how to clean the air conditioner yourself. If such simple procedures are carried out in a timely and thorough manner, then the service life of the climate system can be significantly extended.

Nowadays, many owners of houses and apartments equip their homes with climatic technology that is able to maintain a comfortable indoor climate. One of the most popular appliances for this purpose is the 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, maintain a normal temperature set by the user in the rooms.

However, the microclimate will actually be comfortable and the use of the air conditioner will not harm the owners if certain important conditions are met. In particular, such devices require some maintenance, so they are usually serviced by professional craftsmen. For this, contracts are often concluded with the company that carried out, for the further service maintenance... They also resort to one-time calls of the masters - there are a lot of ads of such content in the advertising press.

But such a service is not cheap, so many owners of devices are interested in the possibility of self-care for them. One of the important points in the maintenance of climatic equipment is to keep all its units, in particular, the filter blocks, clean. Therefore, the question arises as to how much it is possible to clean the air conditioner with your own hands? Yes, it's 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 the air conditioner cleaning necessary?

Is it really necessary to regularly clean climate equipment? 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 the air drive it through the filtering devices installed in them, since it is unrealistic to completely get rid of dust in the premises. Accordingly, quite soon a large amount of dirt and dust collects in the filters.

Therefore, if you do not periodically clean the air conditioner, then 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 in passing air through the filters.
• If the air conditioner is not cleaned or performed irregularly, the heat exchanger with the freon inside it will start to overheat, which will increase the load on the compressor, and as a result, the device will wear out quickly.

• High humidity and dust deposits inside and outside the filters contribute to the active reproduction of dust mites and various bacteria. Among pathogenic microorganisms, the most dangerous is Legionella, which causes a serious lung disease - Legionellosis (it is also called "Pittsburgh pneumonia"). Together with the streams of air passing through dirty filters, spores of fungi and mold can spread through the premises, which can easily provoke allergic reactions, lead to asthmatic attacks and dermatitis.
• An unpleasant smell in the room is probably the smallest nuisance of all that contamination of the air conditioner entails.

It should be noted that air conditioners, which are installed in multi-storey buildings on the upper floors, are less susceptible to rapid clogging, since at high altitudes less dust is concentrated at times than in the lower layers of the 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 zones of the city and in areas under construction, since the air there is the most polluted.

Another negative phenomenon for climatic technology is poplar and other plant fluff, which is capable of literally tightly clogging the 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 climatic devices should be monitored with special care.

The air conditioner, as a rule, itself begins to "declare" that it needs prophylaxis if it was not cleaned in time. So, such manifestations can be:

• Continuous or temporary noise or crackling noise when turning on the device.
• Unpleasant smell of dampness or decay.
• A clear decrease in the refrigeration capacity of the air conditioner.
• The device began to consume too much electricity with the same or even reduced efficiency - this can be seen by taking readings from the meter.
• The indoor unit began to leak while the air conditioner was operating.

Prices for popular air conditioners

If at least one of the above signs appears, then this indicates that the device needs urgent prevention, 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 blocks that have failed due to the banal carelessness of the owners, which leads to significant costs.

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

Thanks to timely preventive work, the air conditioner will work out all its resource, which is usually 8-12 years and even more, without any problems.

Cleaning the indoor unit of the split system

The design of the indoor unit of the air conditioner

To figure out where to start preventive maintenance, and what exactly should be subjected to the most thorough cleaning, it is necessary at least a little to familiarize yourself with the design of the device. Split systems are most often used recently, and primarily affects the microclimate in the room, the indoor unit of the air conditioner most accessible to the user. Let's start with him.

So, the indoor unit consists of the following units and parts:

1 - Front panel of the device - it is a plastic case with a grill. Through it, air from the room enters the interior of the device for cooling (or heating), of course, with carried dust. The panel can be easily removed - if necessary, carry out maintenance work. For this, a system of locks (latches) is provided.

2 - Coarse filter Is a fine-mesh polymer mesh, which is designed for collecting large dust particles from the air, fluff, lint of animal hair and other similar suspensions. Such a filter requires cleaning, or at least control, at least twice a month. In innovative models, some manufacturers provide automatic cleaning of this filter. The coarse pre-filter is located just 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 its own structural features:

• Charcoal filter containing activated carbon and designed to remove unpleasant odors and neutralize harmful substances. This type of filter is not cleaned, but replaced completely, on average every 4 ÷ 5 months.
• Zeolite filter made of porous mineral - zeolite... This version of the filter 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 lends itself to washing with water and can, with regular maintenance, be used for up to five years.
• Electrostatic the filter removes fine dust from the air 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 as it gets dirty.
• Plasma filter works on approximately the same principle as electrostatic. In it, under the influence of an electric voltage, a plasma of low temperature is formed, capable of destroying harmful substances and small dust particles, at the same time 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 gets dirty.
• UV filter necessarily turns on an LED of a certain spectrum of luminescence, which is capable of disinfecting the air in a room, destroying viruses and bacteria. Ultraviolet light is also able to prevent the growth and spread of mold and mildew inside the air conditioner. This option can be used alone or in combination with a photocatalytic filter.
• Photocatalytic filter is a porous substance with titanium dioxide coated. This filter adsorbs on its surface all air pollutants passing through it, including toxic substances, unpleasant odors, fungal spores, etc. Getting under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, which is included in the complex photocatalytic filter, all toxic substances decompose to water and carbon dioxide. This type of filter copes well with both inorganic and organic air pollutants. The service life of this filter is limited only by the life of the UV 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;

- wasabi is a plant with antibacterial properties.

Prices for air conditioner filters

air conditioner filter

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

4 - Fan that circulates air through the air conditioner. As a rule, the fan can have three to four rotational speeds.

5 - Evaporator. This is, in essence, a radiator in which freon evaporates, due to which the air passing through it is cooled.

6 - Horizontal blinds, regulating the direction of the air flows along the vertical. They are controlled remotely, from the control panel, 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. On it, using LEDs or a digital display, the operating modes of the device are shown, 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 aforementioned structural elements, it must contain others that are 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 mains and for electrical switching of the indoor unit with the external one.

11 - Fitting connections located on the lower rear of the indoor unit. Copper pipes connected to them serve to connect the outdoor and indoor units - this creates a closed circuit for the circulation of the refrigerant.

Several preparatory operations

Due to the fact that the split-system air conditioner consists of two units, external and internal, their cleaning is also somewhat different from each other, which is important to consider when starting its prevention. On the outer block, attention will be sharpened lower, but for now we continue to consider the inner one.

• Before starting to carry out preventive work, it is necessary to protect your hands and respiratory tract, since you must not forget that in the air conditioner case there is a breeding ground for viruses and dangerous bacteria that got there along with dust from the air. They can easily enter the body, which threatens serious diseases, even for a person with excellent immunity.
• Further, the air conditioner must be disconnected from the mains. 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 will be good if it is light, only in the form of a tingle….
• Then, it is recommended to cover the area of ​​the floor under the air conditioner with plastic wrap, which is best just thrown away after cleaning the device. It is especially important to protect the floor surface if the air conditioner has been operating 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 only necessary to clean the filters of the device, as they are the first to get dirty. I must say that rinsing them yourself is not difficult at all. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out this procedure almost weekly, making it a rule to perform these simple actions before starting cleaning an apartment or house. Naturally, such frequent prophylaxis is necessary if the device is used constantly.

If the cleaning of the climatic equipment is carried out regularly, the house is kept clean, and due to this, the dust does not have time to clog all the pores of the fine filters and coarse cells, then it is enough to dry clean with a vacuum cleaner.

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

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

Illustration	Brief description of the performed operation
	So, the first step is to open the front cover of the air conditioner, which has a protective grill. This process is simple, especially since all owners need to do it quite often, checking the degree of contamination of the device. Further, the coarse filters are carefully removed. They can also be fixed in different ways. So, in some models, they can be removed without even opening or dismantling the front panel.
	Then the cover is removed to cover the fasteners. In various designs, this panel can be fixed 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 case of the indoor unit is fixed with screws located at the bottom of the structure. They are covered with protective plates, which must first be opened. For convenience, you can use a regular screwdriver - it picks up the cover screws, and then unscrews the fasteners themselves. The work must be done carefully, since plastic parts are quite fragile. Having unscrewed the fasteners, it is also necessary to dismantle the indicator panel from the case, which is connected to the electrical part of the air conditioner. This element, together with the wires, must be temporarily placed to the electrical unit.
	After unscrewing the screws, the plastic case of the air conditioner is removed. In different models, it is also attached in different ways, therefore, having unscrewed the screws on one side, you should not jerk the case. It is necessary to gently pull it towards you, and if it cannot be removed, then you will have to look for places where it is additionally fixed. Further, fine filters should be removed from the air conditioner.
	The next step is to ensure that the electrical unit of the device is protected from splashes of disinfectants and detergents, as well as jets of water. For this purpose, ordinary hospital shoe covers are perfect - thanks to the elastic band located on them, they will fit snugly to the device, and the protection will not fall off during operation.
	Now it's time for the preparatory work for cleaning. For this purpose, you can use a large, durable plastic bag, but this "device" will not be able to guarantee reliable protection of the surfaces of the room from the ingress of detergents along with dirt from the air conditioner. In specialized stores or on online shopping sites, you can purchase a kit specially designed to protect the floor and walls during cleaning of climatic equipment. Such a set is more convenient, since it provides almost all the necessary elements both for fixing it and for draining dirty water into a bucket.
	The service package includes a large specially shaped plastic bag with a funnel in the lower central part, on which a plastic spout is fixed for easy fixing of the drain hose. In addition, it contains a polyethylene apron installed between the wall and the lower part of the air conditioner, holders like stationery, with the help of which the stiffeners inserted into the edges of the bag are fixed, 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. This will require thin plastic or metal tubes, or even ordinary wooden glazing beads, which are used to fix window panes. The length of these rigid inserts must be: 600 mm - 2 pcs. and 1200 mm - 2 pcs. The section of the hose should correspond to the diameter of the spout fixed to the plastic bag so that it fits snugly against the drain spout.
	There are channels in the bag along its edges, into which you need to install stiffeners and fix them using stationery holders. A strap is attached to one side of the bag, with the help of which the bag will be hung on the air conditioner. In its ready-to-use form, this device looks something like the one shown in the illustration.
	Next, an apron is taken - this is an ordinary plastic sheet, which is slipped under the body of the device and is fixed on the wall with masking tape. It will protect the wall from dirty lumps of wet dust. Then, a bag with stiffening ribs is suspended under the air conditioner, the belt is put on top of the device body. After that, a hose is put on the plastic spout, the other end of which is lowered into an ordinary plastic bucket on the floor.
	Further, if after opening the indoor unit of the air conditioner, thick dust layers are found, they can be removed with a soft brush or collected with a vacuum cleaner. After such a superficial removal of accumulated deposits, it will be easier to flush the structural parts from more deeply ingrained dirt.
	After removing the external dust, you can proceed to the preparation of a cleaning disinfectant solution. It is made from products specially designed for cleaning the air conditioner. The solution is mixed in accordance with the proportions indicated on the packaging of the detergents. To apply the solution, you will need a spray gun, in which the jet can be adjusted to the spray diameter.
	The next step is the ready-made solution is applied to all elements of the indoor unit. It is especially necessary to spray the fan and radiator of the device. A huge amount of dust is collected 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 qualitatively 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 it is rather difficult to remove it with plain water, so you cannot do without special equipment. A disinfecting cleaning solution should cover all structural details, since if unwashed areas remain, they will later become a favorable place for fixing new deposits of dirt.
	Detergents are usually applied in two stages. The first spray is liquid disinfectant detergent (in this case, Alphadez), followed by Winns 30202, which is sold in cylinders and produces a copious foam that helps to soften and loosen dirt. After the detergents are applied to the surface of the indoor unit, they must be left for a while, about 20-25 minutes, so that the solutions will corrode the external and internal dirty layers. When the foam has settled, a test check can be made to see how easily the dirt will be removed.
	After the foam has settled, you can start flushing the split system with water supplied under high pressure with a thin stream. For self-rinsing, you can use the same spray bottle, but this will take a lot of time and a lot of water.
	When flushing the system, dirt along the bottom of the air conditioner case will drain into a plastic bag suspended under it, and from there into a bucket. It is important to ensure that the container does not overflow, as dirty water and disinfectants can seriously damage the floor covering.
	Flushing of the indoor unit of the split system begins from its rear. Then the radiator is thoroughly rinsed, after which the inside must be cleaned again, since dirt from the heat exchanger grill may end up on the surface of the fan blades.
	While the indoor unit is soaked by detergents, you can clean the parts of the plastic case removed from the structure. They are also sprayed with disinfectants and detergents. If necessary, the dirt on them can be rubbed with a soft brush, and then these structural elements are washed under running water.
	In addition to the hard parts of the case, 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 separated from them, and then washed under running water.
	The filter is washed, but not wiped off - the water should drain from it spontaneously, and it should dry out naturally. When washing the filter, do not use ordinary detergents, as they can negatively affect not only the filter itself, but also the indoor unit of the air conditioner. In addition, do not forget that the molecules of solutions of 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 filters. Filters that can be washed include electrostatic, photocatalytic, plasma and zeolite. New replacement filters are usually sold in air conditioner service centers or service centers of manufacturing companies.
	When all the insides of the unit and all the parts removed from it are well dry, you can remove the suspended package and shoe covers from the electrical unit, and reassemble the air conditioner in the reverse order. Fine filters (new or washed) are returned to their place, then the washed case is fixed, the indicator panel is fixed to it, and the coarse filters are installed last.
	Now that the cleaning work of the air conditioner is completed, you can plug it in, check the operability and proceed to normal operation, until the next maintenance.

Cleaning the drainage system of the air conditioner

One of the most common problems faced by air conditioner owners is water leakage to 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 appliance, when condensation cannot pass through the clogged pipe, and therefore begins to drain from the indoor unit into the room. In this case, the drainage system must be cleaned. The clogging of the drainage occurs due to the fact that the cleaning of the air conditioner units was not performed in time - the dust turned into dirt and clogged the tube.
• If the amount of freon (refrigerant) is reduced in the system, then the temperature of the evaporator also becomes lower, so ice forms on it and water does not pass into the sump, and also flows down to the floors of the room.
• If the air conditioner does not have a pressure regulator, then when the temperature on the street drops, the pressure drops and in the system, as a result which also lowers 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 happens if the air conditioner is used in winter to cool the premises.
• Another cause of drainage stagnation is wasps or other flying insects, which quite often clog the edge of a pipe outside.

If the drain pipe is clogged, then before starting to clean it, it is imperative to flush the drain pan, as well as other elements of the air conditioning system. Drainage cleaning work is carried out with the device turned off from the network and is carried out in the following order:

• The first step is to remove the coarse filters.
• Further, the lower narrow panel is dismantled, hiding the attachment of the case to the air conditioner.
• Then the drain pan is removed - in each structure 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 of dirt, as well as in order to get to the hole into which water flows from the sump, and to which the drain pipe is connected.

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

• Another option for cleaning 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 will work well), which is inserted into the drainage tube disconnected or directly through the hole in the tray. It is pushed through the entire drainage system. Thus, it must emerge from a pipe overlooking the street, through which condensate escapes.
• However, these are not all the actions necessary in this process, since it must be borne in mind that the cork has been removed from the tube, but there is still dirt in it along the stacks. New dust will easily adhere to these residues of dirt during operation of the air conditioner, and the plug will recover. Therefore, the tube must be thoroughly rinsed. This can be done using a pump or a homemade device consisting of a plastic bottle and a piece of silicone hose put on its neck.

• It is recommended to use chlorhexidine to flush the drainage tube, which is an excellent antiseptic and is sold at the pharmacy. Flushing requires approximately 400 ml of fluid.

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

In the event that the air conditioner is equipped with a drain pump, that is, the condensate is not drained outside, leakage may occur for the following reasons:

• Failure of the pump - it may not work at full capacity or even 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 locked in one position, the pump will stop draining water.
• Float or proximity sensor does not work.
• The air exhaust pipe is pinched.
• Insufficient contact of the pump power terminals.

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

Automatic air conditioning cleaning system

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

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

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

These functions of the air conditioner prolong the life of the air conditioner and make it easier to care for. However, you should not think that you will not have to manually clean the device or call a wizard for this purpose, since the automatic system will not be able to remove and rinse its filters, and this is necessary, one way or another.

Find out, as well as familiarize yourself with the criteria for evaluating devices, in a special article on our portal.

Cleaning the external block of the split system

The design of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

Now, having figured out how to clean the internal block of the split system, you need to consider how the preventive work of its external part is carried out.

Unlike the inner one, the outer block is washed once a year, but it is still necessary to do this, 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. The most difficult thing is to carry out preventive measures if the device is installed on the upper floors of multi-storey buildings, in this case, you cannot do without specialists.

The structure of the outdoor unit consists of the following blocks and parts:

1 – Fan, occupies most of the case of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. Its functions are to blow off the heat exchanger-condenser.

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

3 – Compressor provides circulation of freon along the general closed circuit of the air conditioner. This device is of two types - piston and spiral. The piston version of the compressor is more affordable, but less reliable, in contrast to the piston device. This factor is especially important, given the conditions of winter low temperatures.

4 - Control board, but it is only available in inverter air conditioners. In other climatic devices, all electronics are located in the inner case, since external natural factors can negatively affect the electronic components.

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

6 - Fitting connections there are both on the indoor and outdoor units, since it is to them that copper pipes are connected, connecting for the air conditioning department into one common refrigerant circulation system.

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

8 - the Protective cover covering the terminals of electrical cables and fittings. However, in some models, such a cover is provided only for electrical connections, while the fittings remain open.

Cleaning the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

Cleaning the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be done by hand only if it is installed in a private house, and it is safe to work from a ladder, or on the balcony of a high-rise building. Independent work at height without special equipment, insurance system and experience is strictly prohibited!

LG air conditioners prices

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 outdoor unit is dismantled. Taking it off, the owner will surely immediately will see the entire volume upcoming works.
• First, all large debris found in the case is removed - it is he who slows down the operation of the air conditioner. Large debris is usually removed by hand and no tools are required for this process.
• The next step is to remove dust layers from hard-to-reach areas of the case. For this purpose, brushes of different widths and a handheld vacuum cleaner are used.

• The fan blades can also be vacuum cleaned and, if necessary, wiped with a damp cloth. Wet cleaning should be done carefully so that no water gets on the 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 condenser has smooth smooth surfaces, so it is not difficult to clean it - it can be done with a regular damp cloth or sponge.
• Before replacing the front panel, it should also be thoroughly rinsed and dried.
• Do not touch the electrical unit of the device. Its repair and prevention should be carried out by specialists.
• The air conditioner can be turned on only after it has completely dried.

Find out how to do it, as well as 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 some useful tips that will help you not to make mistakes when operating and cleaning climatic devices.

Haier air conditioner prices

Haier air conditioner

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

• The cleaning of the air conditioner will be better if you use a steam cleaner for it. A jet of hot steam not only removes dirt, but also carries out preventive disinfection of construction parts.
• Assembly and connection to the network can be done only after all parts of the air conditioner are completely dry.
• Do not start the air conditioner when detergents are applied to its internal surfaces and the fan. It is extremely dangerous to do this, as water can get into the electrical unit of the device, which will cause a short circuit in the network. In addition, the dirt accumulated on the fan blades will scatter throughout the room, hitting the surfaces of walls, ceilings, floors, furniture and other interior items.
• In order for the device to serve for a long time, it is necessary to follow all the rules of 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 climatic equipment on your own, if you know the design of the device and the procedure for carrying out this process. If the owner can carry out the preventive maintenance of the air conditioner on his own once and understands all the nuances, he will no longer have to call a master for this purpose, since a specialist will only be needed to solve more serious problems.

And, probably, the interested reader will benefit from a video plot in which an amateur craftsman shows how he cleans his air conditioner on his own.

Cleaning a window air conditioner

Cleanliness is the key to a healthy life. This expression is known to everyone. As for air conditioners, they also need timely cleaning. Regular cleaning of this unit will improve your health by removing dust and mold from the air conditioner.

You will need a lot of patience to clean your window air conditioner. If you do not have this, then leave this lesson to specialists. If you do decide to do this work yourself, stock up on the following tools: a tin can, a vacuum cleaner, a long-handled brush, a rag, oil, a set of various screwdrivers, and, of course, a new filter (if you are using the disposable option).

Cleaning steps

1. Remove the filter from the front grill. 2. Remove the front grilles on the main body of the air conditioner. 3. Carefully remove the metal cover of the air conditioner. 4. If the fan motor has oil holes, fill them with oil. 5. In order to remove dust and dirt from the surface of the evaporator, use a special brush with a long handle. 6. Try to straighten the curved plates. 7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the back plates (condenser coils). 8. Wipe off dirt and dust from both fan fins using a wet cloth. 9. Vacuum all surfaces. The front and rear grill of the air conditioner must also be vacuumed. Be sure to also vacuum under the metal cover of the device. If it has ventilation holes, they must also be completely cleaned. 10. Drain the remaining water in the base and let it dry for several hours. When the air conditioner is completely dry, turn it on and make sure you did everything correctly. Then, after assembly, turn on the air conditioner again and check if it works properly. This is to make sure that replacing the cover does not affect anything.

Try to carry out the cleaning procedure at least once a year. By doing this, you will extend the life of your air conditioner, and also make the air in your room much cleaner and fresher.

A window air conditioner will work more efficiently if it is cleaned periodically. Dust and dirt that constantly builds up inside the unit impairs heat transfer, resulting in less cooling efficiency and higher electricity consumption. Follow these steps to thoroughly clean your window air conditioner.

You will need:

• Screwdriver
• Dishwashing liquid
• Vacuum cleaner
• Radiator louvre alignment comb
• Rag
• Stiff bristled brush
• Wire

Cleaning a window air conditioner:

1. Disconnect the device from the AC power.
2. Remove the front panel by unscrewing the bolts or removing it from the latches (depending on the design of the air conditioner).
3. Take out the filter. If it is removable or very dirty, it is best to replace it. If the filter can be washed, rinse it in warm water and dishwashing liquid. If the filter cannot be washed, vacuum it thoroughly.
4. Vacuum all surfaces and parts of the air conditioner that you can reach with the narrow nozzle of the vacuum cleaner.
5. Let the filter dry completely before replacing it.
6. If some of the metal fins (fins) of the heat exchanger are bent, straighten them using a fins alignment comb, available from a hardware store or hardware store.
7. From outside, clean the window air conditioner from dust and dirt on the outside of the unit or grill. This will help keep the air conditioner filter clean for as long as possible.
8. Unscrew one of the outer panels of the air conditioner and remove any leaves and other debris that have accumulated inside the unit.
9. If you can get to the metal fan blades, wipe them with a damp cloth.
10. Make sure the holes in the pan and drain tubes are free of debris. If they are clogged, use a piece of wire to clean them out.

• The filter should be cleaned in the spring and then every month of using the air conditioner.
• It is better to clean the metal plates of the heat exchanger with water.
• Be careful when vacuuming the metal fins of the heat exchanger. They can be easily deformed.
• Older air conditioners may need to be lubricated. Read the manual for your window air conditioner, it should tell you what to lubricate and how often. If you cannot find the manual, search the internet for information. Most new devices no longer require lubrication.