Central melody conditioners have two separate components : the condenser and the evaporator . The condenser unit is unremarkably located outside the planetary house on a concrete slab . The evaporator coil is mount up in the plenum or main epithelial duct junction above the furnace .
Most central air conditioners are connected to a home ’s forced - air statistical distribution system . Thus , the same motor , blower , and ductwork used for heating are used to distribute nerveless air travel from the airwave conditioning system . When a primal air conditioner is operating , hot air inside the house flows to the furnace through the payoff - aviation duct . The blistering air is moved by the blower across the cool evaporator coil in the plenum and is then deliver through ducts to cool the house . When the air conditioner works but the house does n’t cool , the trouble is probably in the distribution arrangement .
Both the evaporator and the condenser are sealed . Therefore , a professional service person should be phone for almost any maintenance other than mundane cleaning . primal air conditioners should be professionally inspected and adjusted before the beginning of every cool off season . However , do n’t let your sustentation end with this annual checkup . While there are n’t many repairs you may make yourself , there are specific sustenance procedures you may accompany to keep your system operating at peak efficiency . circumspection : Before doing any oeuvre on an air conditioning system , ensure the king to the system , both to the capacitance and to the evaporator gathering , is turned off .
Before you start make , allow ’s attempt to peg down the orbit of the job . expect for the trouble you ’re having , and its solution , on the chart on the next pageboy . For more articles on home mending , check out the following golf links .
Troubleshooting Central Air Conditioners
primal melodic line conditions will need some professional maintenance , but there are many minor trouble that you may well sterilise yourself . If your primal a / c unit is n’t working right , look for the problem you ’re go through on this chart and see if it ’s a do - it - yourself problem .
A foul evaporator is a common problem . On the next Thomas Nelson Page you ’ll learn how to get at the evaporator and clean it decently .
Cleaning the Evaporator
The evaporator for the key air system of rules is located directly above the furnace in the plenum . The evaporator may not be approachable , but if it is , you should clean it once a year . If the plenum has foil - wrap insulation at its front , you could strip the evaporator ; if the plenum is a certain sheet metal boxwood , do not attempt to open it . Here ’s how to cleanse an accessible evaporator : gradation 1 : withdraw foil - wrapped insulation at front of plenum ; it ’s belike taped in place . take out tape carefully , because you ’ll have to replace it later . Behind insulation is access plate , which is reserve in place by several screws . dispatch piece of ass and lift off plate .
Cleaning the Condenser
In most air - conditioning organization , the condenser unit is site outside the house and is prone to pile up soil and debris from trees , lawn mowing , and airborne dust . The capacitor has a buff that go atmosphere across the condenser coil . You must make clean the coil on the intake side , so , before you turn off the power to the air conditioner , check to see which direction the air moves across the coils . Here ’s how to clean the condenser : What You ’ll NeedYou’ll want to have these shaft on hand to clean the optical condenser : Grass shear or prunersSpray bottleful of coil cleanerSoft brushFin combCarpenter ’s levelPry bar or piece of 2 - by-4Gravel or rocksStep 1 : Cut down any grass , weeds , or vine that have grow around condenser unit ; they could be stymy airflow .
Step 2 : Clean condenser with commercial-grade coil cleanser , usable at refrigerator supply stores . Instructions for use are included . Flush coil clean ( do not employ hosepipe ) ; let ironic . stair 3 : clear quintet with gentle brushing to remove pile up dirt . You may have to off protective grille to reach them . Do not clean fins with garden hose , as weewee could turn crap into mud and compact it between fins . sportsmanlike Phoebe very cautiously : They ’re made of light - gauge aluminum and are easily damaged . If fivesome are crumpled , straighten them with tailfin comb , sold at most appliance parts stores . A fin combing is designed to skid into spaces between fins . practice it cautiously to avoid prejudicious fin . footmark 4 : Check concrete launchpad on which condenser rests to ensure it ’s level . Set carpenters ' grade front to back and side to side on top of whole . If pad has settled , raise inking pad with pry legal profession or musical composition of 2 x 4 , then force gravel or rock music under concrete to pull down it .
During the fall and wintertime , outside condenser units should be protected from the element to forestall leafage blockage and ice equipment casualty . Cover the condenser whole with a commercial condenser cover made to fit the shape of the unit of measurement or apply heavy charge card sheeting batten down with inflexible electric cord .
If you ’ve cleaned everything you’re able to and you ’re still not generate coolheaded air , the problem could be the refrigerant . Learn what to do in that case on the next page .
Handling the Refrigerant
The coolant used in most atmosphere conditioning systems is a refrigerant holler Freon . If the system does not contain the right amount of Freon , fiddling or no cooling will take post . If you suspect a Freon problem , call a professional avail person to recharge the organisation . Caution : Do not attempt to institutionalise your system ’s refrigerating lines .
Here ’s how you could repair the organization ’s coolant short letter . prove the lines race from the condenser outside the evaporator inside the house . If the insulation is damaged or wear out , it will cut down on the chill efficiency of the unit and , therefore , should be replaced .
Now that you have it off when you do and do n’t demand to call for professional aid , you ’ll be able to make some mend on your own . Using the tips in this clause , you ’ll be able to get save a few bucks and get the cool air pumping preferably .
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