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 vital than ever to arrange your self for the summer season season. When sweltering warmth turns into a risk, a window air conditioner will help you retain your cool. Your trusty window AC unit can final upward of 10 years. However you may solely get that sort of efficiency with common, correct upkeep.
As with most home equipment round your private home, you must repeatedly care to your AC unit to maintain it in tip-top form. For those who comply with the ideas under, you possibly can hold your air conditioner in optimum situation for so long as potential. And here is the most effective half: These solutions 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 suitable AC mannequin to your room
When deciding on a window AC unit, that you must account for the scale of your room first. For those who 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 wish to study an air conditioner’s British thermal unit capability (often known 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 no less than 10,000 BTUs.
Conversely, you can get monetary savings buying a much less highly effective mannequin in case you have a smaller room. Simply remember that the AC you are shopping for is an funding, and when 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 most effective 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 a substitute, in case you have a window in your room that has shade, set up it there. In flip, you may lengthen the lifetime of your air conditioner, because it will not overheat from the daylight.
3. Maintain the filter clear
The filter collects particles like mud, hair and extra. If you use your air conditioner repeatedly, you have to to scrub the filter as soon as a month.
To scrub the filter, flip off the unit and unplug it. Subsequent, take away the filter from the entrance panel. For those who discover numerous mud, hair or different particles, you should use the attachment from a vacuum cleaner to offer the filter a deeper clear.
You can too clear the filter utilizing cleaning soap and heat water. As soon as the filter dries, reinstall it. A superb rule of thumb is to exchange your filter as soon as every six weeks to six months, relying on how typically you employ your air conditioner, what number of pets you might have and how much filter you employ.
It would seem to be a problem to exchange 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 hold you cool, it additionally forces the unit to work more durable to realize this setting. Turning the air conditioner off whenever you depart maximizes its effectivity and prolongs its operational life span.
A sensible various 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 through distant entry in your cellphone and computerized on/off scheduling.
5. Maintain 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 may result in mildew development within the unit.
With this in thoughts, you must clear the fins no less than annually. To take action, flip off your air conditioner and unplug it. Subsequent, that you must take away the housing screws. You may 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.
Presently, you wish to make certain 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. Conserving your drain clear reduces the probability of moisture buildup, which may shorten the lifetime of your AC.
The following pointers will help you delay the lifetime of your window unit. Ensure that to do that upkeep (other than changing your filters extra repeatedly) no less than annually. Ideally, check out these upkeep suggestions earlier than the climate heats up so you are not caught making final minute repairs with out air con. You can additionally enlist the assistance of knowledgeable to test your air conditioner for you.
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