Final summer season was one of many hottest summers in recorded historical past, and this summer season is on monitor to be a real scorcher as nicely. It is extra essential than ever to arrange your self for the summer season season. When sweltering warmth turns into a menace, a window air conditioner might help you retain your cool. Your trusty window AC unit can final upward of 10 years. However you will solely get that sort of efficiency with common, correct upkeep.
As with most home equipment round your property, you need to often care to your AC unit to maintain it in tip-top form. In the event you comply with the information under, you may maintain your air conditioner in optimum situation for so long as potential. And this is the perfect half: These recommendations are all comparatively easy and will not break the financial institution.
For extra, discover CNET’s window AC unit buying guide and this comparison between window AC units and portable AC units.
1. Select the appropriate AC mannequin to your room
When deciding on a window AC unit, you’ll want to account for the scale of your room first. In the event you select a much less highly effective mannequin to chill a big space, it forces the unit to work more durable to chill the room, leading to a shorter operational life span.
Subsequently, when deciding on the suitable mannequin, you need to study an air conditioner’s British thermal unit capability (also referred to as BTUs). The extra BTUs a unit has, the extra highly effective it’s. As a information, you want 20 BTUs for every square foot of the room you need to cool. Within the case of a 500-square-foot room, you would want an air conditioner able to delivering not less than 10,000 BTUs.
Conversely, you possibly can lower your expenses buying a much less highly effective mannequin you probably have a smaller room. Simply remember that the AC you are shopping for is an funding, and in case you improve the scale of your dwelling house, you are in all probability going to want a extra highly effective mannequin.
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2. Discover the perfect location to your AC unit
When organising your AC unit, keep away from placing it in direct sunlight if potential. Working in direct daylight will drive it to work more durable. As an alternative, you probably have a window in your room that has shade, set up it there. In flip, you will prolong the lifetime of your air conditioner, because it will not overheat from the daylight.
3. Hold the filter clear
The filter collects particles like mud, hair and extra. Once you use your air conditioner often, you’ll need to clean the filter as soon as a month.
To wash the filter, flip off the unit and unplug it. Subsequent, take away the filter from the entrance panel. In the event you discover a whole lot of mud, hair or different particles, you should utilize the attachment from a vacuum cleaner to provide the filter a deeper clear.
It’s also possible to clear the filter utilizing cleaning soap and heat water. As soon as the filter dries, reinstall it. A very good rule of thumb is to interchange your filter as soon as every six weeks to six months, relying on how typically you utilize your air conditioner, what number of pets you’ve and how much filter you utilize.
It would seem to be a trouble to interchange the filter so typically, however it’s in your greatest pursuits to take action; outfitting your AC with a clear filter saves you a significant amount of money in the long term.
4. Maximize effectivity
Having the air on full blast on a regular basis shortens your AC’s lifespan. Whereas it does maintain you cool, it additionally forces the unit to work more durable to attain this setting. Turning the air conditioner off whenever you depart maximizes its effectivity and prolongs its operational life span.
A wise different is to make use of the eco-settings (in case your system comes with one) or use a smart plug to handle your AC unit extra carefully by way of distant entry in your telephone and automated on/off scheduling.
5. Hold the fins clear and aligned
Your window air conditioner has aluminum fins that cowl the coils. Over time, mud, dust and different particles can construct on them. With out common cleansing, it might result in mildew development within the unit.
With this in thoughts, it is best to clear the fins not less than annually. To take action, flip off your air conditioner and unplug it. Subsequent, you’ll want to take away the housing screws. You possibly can clear the fins with a mixture of heat water and dish cleaning soap. Take away any particles you discover with a brush. You also needs to rinse the remaining suds off the fins.
Right now, you need to make sure that the fins are in good condition. Those on the back coil can be prone to bending. And if they’re bent, they drive your AC unit to work more durable. To straighten them, use a fin comb.
Learn extra: How to Clean Your Window Air Conditioner
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6. Examine and clear the drain
When utilizing your air conditioner, you also needs to examine its drain as soon as a month for any clogs. To take away them, use a stiff wire. Protecting your drain clear reduces the probability of moisture buildup, which may shorten the lifetime of your AC.
The following pointers might help you extend the lifetime of your window unit. Be certain to do that upkeep (other than changing your filters extra often) not less than annually. Ideally, check out these upkeep ideas earlier than the climate heats up so you are not caught making final minute repairs with out air-con. You possibly can additionally enlist the assistance of knowledgeable to verify your air conditioner for you.
