Want to learn how you can do your own aircon chemical wash? Nowadays, air-conditioners rank as the preferred cooling system for homes and commercial buildings because of their ability to create a temperature environment that is comfortable for everyone. Its popularity is due largely to the fact that it can cover a wide area and can also cool large numbers of spaces at once. Most times, people ignore the importance of constant proper care and maintenance for this equipment due to its complex nature and find out later on that they have made a wrong choice in not doing so.
The majority of aircon servicing companies charge heavily on their clients when providing such service, which only makes the problem worse, especially when one’s pocket is already feeling light after purchasing such an expensive unit. This doesn’t necessarily say anything about whether or not a person can still maintain his/her aircon in a way that it will continue functioning properly. Anyone can do maintenance on their own, provided they have the right tools and materials for this task.
Firstly, the owner of any residential or commercial building should not allow an aircon servicing company to clean his/her air-conditioner without verifying whether or not such a company is qualified to perform such service. One should also know that cleaning the unit does not necessarily mean removing dirt from it but means enhancing its performance through chemical treatment. Most times, people are confused between a simple dusting and a thorough proper cleaning which only leads to further damage of one’s equipment instead of saving cash spent on hiring a professional cleaner to do it for you.
Aircon Chemical Wash Procedures
- Purge refrigerant lines and open valves into a container and read oil levels before service begins. Drain any chemicals used in the machine.
- Follow pressure-relief procedures before opening valves to prevent surge or vacuum damage.
- Add fluid to the system, then open all valves slowly, one after another, to make sure you do not trap air anywhere inside the lines. Then check for aircon leaks by putting soapy water on hoses and connections and looking for bubbles.
- After thoroughly spraying the chemical throughout the unit with an atomizer attached to a hose connected to a tank of solvent, purge any remaining residue from the unit using pressurized air until dry. This is usually done through an air filter that can be removed from your ACR system. Before this final use of pressurized air, turn off valves at each end of the system so that the air does not escape and leave you with a potentially serious problem.
The chemical solution is sprayed in the air-conditioner system using an atomizer, allowing it to dissolve the dirt on the components of your AC. The mist can be several inches wide or even larger when you add more solvent. The spray gets spread around by the movement of air inside the unit until it eventually covers all surfaces in several inches depth.
Removing Aircon Filters
The filters that are usually removed from your air-conditioner after chemical washing has been done go through three different stages before being replaced. The first stage involves the removal of particles larger than 1 micron in size through a high-efficiency vacuum method while keeping other contaminations, such as dust mites, removed during the next two stages, which are conducted only after the chemicals have been thoroughly washed away from inside your aircon.
How To Identify The Chemicals In Your Aircon System
It is possible to identify the chemicals in your system by looking at the container they came in (if you still have it) or using other clues available near where you normally get service done on your ACR unit. You should take samples of each chemical and bring them to a refrigeration specialist for proper identification. This will help ensure that the correct product is used when servicing your air-conditioning equipment, which can prevent contamination problems later on.
Chemical cleaning liquids usually come in two classes – acidic or caustic/alkaline cleaners, both of which are capable of damaging metal components if not properly handled. While acid cleaners are generally more effective than alkaline cleaners at dissolving dirt, they will eat away any metal in the system. Alkaline cleaners require purging after use to remove traces of chemicals, and it is generally not recommended for air-conditioning systems with copper tubing.
