In addition to causing throat irritation, mouldy air can also cause coughing, wheezing, and congestion. If you are feeling any of these symptoms, it may be time you checked the filters in your AC unit.
Dirty filters restrict the flow of cold air which can cause it to build up inside the air conditioner. The final result could be the formation of ice on the coils. Anyone in your home suffer from allergies or asthma? A dirty filter can make their symptoms much worse.
Experts in air conditioning advise that even if there is nothing wrong with your air conditioning unit, you still need to have it cleaned at least once every 12 months to make sure that your air conditioner is working at its peak efficiency during the season when you need it the most.
By taking a hose with moderate water pressure, and spraying the unit from the inside out, you can effectively remove grime and buildup from the fins of your unit. It's important to note, if you're not comfortable performing this step, don't hesitate to enlist the help of an HVAC professional.
To clean the window air conditioner without removing it, use the vacuum with the soft brush attachment, and carefully vacuum out any dust balls or other stuff you see in the unit. Then, mix together your water and two drops of dish detergent. Next, spray this inside the machine and wipe the areas down.
Q: Does cleaning the AC filter make it colder? In a sense, yes. A clogged AC filter can trap cold air inside the air conditioning unit, preventing it from circulating through the ductwork and into the home. Replacing the filter improves that air flow, thereby allowing colder air to make its way inside.
Typically, homeowners can expect to pay between $270 and $1,000 on average for air duct cleaning. However, this cost can be influenced by a number of factors such as the size and accessibility of ductwork, the condition and the cleaning method.
An aircon technician will disassemble some parts of the unit like the fan coil, air filter, and water tray to clean the unit. This ensures that dust and debris that has accumulated on the inner parts of the unit is thoroughly cleaned. This cleaning process usually takes about 25 to 30 minutes per aircon.
Ideally, cleaning the outdoor unit should take about an hour. Bur feel free to take your time if you are new at this. 2-3 hours isn't a big deal when you are saving hundreds and thousand from AC services & repair for the long run.
An extremely dirty evaporator coil can cause your AC to breakdown completely. This happens when condensation forms on the dirt and then freezes during the AC's operation. The buildup of frost stops the heat transfer with the air in your home, which causes the air conditioner to stop cooling air at all.
The components of an AC unit can harbor a lot of bacteria and dust, which can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. The International Journal of Epidemiology found that people who live in homes with central air conditioning are more likely to develop respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis.
A well-maintained air conditioning (AC) unit itself will not cause sickness. However pathogens, poor ventilation, dust, a poorly-maintained unit, fumes, or fabric fibres in the air may result in suffering from 'sick building syndrome'. Respiratory illnesses such as asthma may be triggered by these conditions.
Spraying water on your air conditioner can help it run more efficiently if you remove enough dust, dirt and debris to help improve airflow and prevent it from overheating. It's certainly not going to damage your AC unit to do so. It's a good idea to spray off the condenser coils in particular a couple times a year.
Q: How long before I can turn on AC after coil cleaning? Make sure the air conditioner is completely dry before attempting to use it. Wait about 30 to 60 minutes before turning on the AC after cleaning the coils.
It's normal for an AC to run for multiple hours per day. However, there is a difference between keeping your AC on throughout the day and the compressor running all day. Once your space reaches your desired temperature, your AC system, or more specifically, the compressor, should stop running automatically.
Clean existing air filter (as needed) Bearing – inspect for wear and lubricate. Inspect indoor coil. Condensate Drain – flush and treat with anti-algae. Inspect Condenser Coil.
Filters inside air conditioners are designed to catch dust (and sometimes other pollutants such as pollen and bacteria), but if not cleaned regularly they can clog up and collect moisture and even mould. Regularly cleaning your air conditioner will also mean better energy efficiency and lower running costs.
General Maintenance/Cleaner
Starting hourly rate of $30-35 per hour (depending on experience) with an increase after 3 months. Our company provides general maintenance and cleaning (not domestic cleans) to Residential Aged Care…
A dirty filter restricts the air flow into your HVAC systems air handler. This restricted air flow places additional strain on the air handler fan motor and could, over time, burn out the motor and cause your system to overheat and ultimately fail.
The short answer: You can get away with running your AC without a filter for a short amount of time without hurting your system. That being said, running your AC without a filter for longer than 6-8 hours can cause serious damage to your AC system and significantly lower the quality of the air in your home.
The good news is that you absolutely can spray water on your air conditioner if it needs a cleaning, and nothing bad will happen. Spraying water on your AC's condenser also helps it run more efficiently. In fact, your condenser needs a regular spritzing in order to keep doing a good job.
Air conditioners dry your indoor air, which can create respiratory distress (including coughs). One way to reduce dryness in your home air, of course, is to run your air conditioner less often – either by shutting it manually or using a programmable thermostat.