There is a lot of information, articles and videos on this issue on the Internet, we will try to summarize with you a little and look from the technical side at the process of cleaning and servicing a split system (air conditioner) both with our own hands and when calling specialists.

To begin with, I would like to answer a question that worries everyone and everything.

How often should you clean your air conditioner? There is no definite answer; it depends on the operating conditions and habitat. Air conditioning in an apartment is one thing, and air conditioning in a Bar, Cafe or Food Unit is another thing. Let's assume that we have a normal household air conditioner in an apartment, standard power 7-12 kbti.

We answer: The air conditioner needs to be cleaned and serviced annually!

What is proper air conditioner cleaning?

The second question is what is meant by cleaning the split system (air conditioner). Cleaning the filters of the indoor unit can also be called cleaning, but such “cleaning” is of little use. Cleaning an air conditioner (split system) is, first of all, cleaning the heat exchangers (evaporator and condenser) of the indoor and outdoor units, cleaning the fan, cleaning the squirrel wheel, cleaning the drainage system.

How to properly clean split system filters?

Cleaning split system filters should be taken by default; filters must be cleaned every two to three weeks. This sweet girl will show you how to do it correctly.

Well, how to clean the split so that it can be of real use?

It is difficult to do this without a steam cleaner and a high-pressure washer, but you can do it with improvised means; it is advisable to do such cleaning before each summer season.

How to disassemble and clean your home air conditioner yourself

I found a very good video on the Internet on how to properly clean the indoor unit of a split system yourself, watch:

What is the difference between cleaning and servicing an air conditioner (split)?

Maintenance is carried out by specialists using a steam cleaner and a washer, which, in principle, you can do yourself, but the key difference between maintenance and cleaning of the split system is that specialists measure the freon pressure in the system, and, if necessary, refill the required amount of freon to split cooled at an acceptable level. Diagnostics of electrical and installation connections is carried out automatically. In other words, cleaning the split system is part of the work on servicing air conditioners. I found a decent video, good guys, they explain everything in detail, watch it:

After watching these videos and reading the article, I think you all have become a little clearer about what kind of animal “cleaning air conditioners” is and “what they eat it with.” And you will decide what to do, clean your split yourself, or call specialists. But I would like to summarize all of the above:

1) You can clean the air conditioner filters yourself every 2-3 weeks

2) Cleaning of the indoor unit (condenser, squirrel wheel, drainage) must be carried out monthly on your own or by calling specialists

3) Maintenance(comprehensive cleaning of the internal and external units, refilling with freon) must be carried out once every two to three years calling the specialists

Numbers and prices

The average cost of cleaning a split system in Krasnodar is 1300-1500 rubles per season. This includes cleaning the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioner, with disassembly. With a steam cleaner and a sink, sometimes just with a steam cleaner. IN good services, during the high season there is usually a queue of at least 2-3 days. There may be more, but depending on your luck.

The annual loss of freon (microcracks and microleaks) set by the manufacturer is 5-7%.

Refilling with freon, if necessary, is not included in the cost of cleaning, and can cost 500-1000 rubles additionally, depending on the amount of freon.

how to remove the casing from a samsung air conditioner | Topic author: Vladislav

how to open the air conditioner to get to the fan I found the bottom 2 screws, what needs to be done to open

Vadim Unscrew two or three screws under the horizontal blind.

Then carefully move the bottom of the body aside. Try to ensure that the blinds fit through the slot. There are three hooks on top that will unhook themselves. After removing the case, carefully remove the thermal resistor from the slot.
Then, on the left side, unscrew one screw holding the drainage tray, carefully slide it off the hooks and let it hang on the drainage hose.
The fan will be freely accessible.
Be careful when assembling. Don't break the hooks.

Nikita hits the floor with all his might

Victoria Download the instructions for it - there's a breakdown in pictures. At least that's how it works on my HITACHI.

Yuri It is removed from the case. very tight.

Tags: How to remove the cover of the internal unit of a Samsung air conditioner

Disassembling and cleaning the indoor unit of the Panasonic P.S. split system. Don't forget to lubricate the impeller bearing...

Servicing the indoor unit of the air conditioner…

Hi all! At the request of my friends and accomplices in general, I want to write a post about the service of air conditioners, because this is already relevant in this moment(I hope the moderators will be understanding)! The fact is that consumers are often misled by offering them service maintenance air conditioning every year!!! This does not need to be done, because everything depends on the degree of pollution of the room itself where the air conditioner is located!
How to understand that cleaning is already inevitable? Let's take a look at the process of cleaning the indoor unit, perhaps you can perform this operation yourself:
So we have a regular internal block:

Below, so as not to stain the repair, we glue the film onto ordinary masking tape:

Open the lid, remove the mesh filters and rinse them under running water (this can be done at any frequency, but at least once every 2 months!)

Now we remove the entire upper part of the case, along with the cover...

We unfasten the bathtub (through it the condensate enters the street)…

and then enjoy the terrible spectacle! Here we can already understand what we breathe including a clogged air conditioner...

We turn on the remote control to 22-25 degrees (don’t turn it on minimum... never in the heat, not a single air conditioner will give you 16-17 degrees!!! You’ll stupidly ruin it!) and enjoy the coolness!

... I'll tell you about the outdoor unit later! I would like to inform you that I have been involved in air conditioning and ventilation since 2000 and am ready to help with advice and business in this area!!! So ask away! I’ll answer later, in the evening I’ll answer everyone, because there’s a lot of work right now... I’m running away) Have a good day everyone!

Do-it-yourself split system cleaning

How to properly remove an air conditioner from a wall with your own hands

disassembled indoor unit. How to remove the air conditioning compressor and the outdoor unit itself with your own hands... Remove the protective cover from the housing; ...

Sooner or later, every owner of a home air conditioner has encountered the problem of air conditioning and unpleasant odors. Accordingly, before fixing this problem, he had a question about how to disassemble the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

In order to get an answer to this question, it is worth understanding what the internal air conditioning system is.

How does an air conditioner work and what does it consist of?

There are several types of air conditioners on the market. At first glance, it seems that they are all completely different. But it is not so. The principle of operation is similar for all of them. The simplest and budget options Window and mobile air conditioners are considered. Both options consist of only one block.

A window air conditioner is mounted in a window opening, and a mobile air conditioner can operate in any place where there is an open window or a slightly open door to route the hose outside.

A more complex unit is a split system. Installing them requires certain knowledge and skills. It consists of two blocks: internal and external.

Composition of the outdoor unit:

• A compressor designed to maintain the flow of compressed gas - freon.
• A four-way valve is responsible for distributing freon during cooling or heating.
• Fan.
• Blowing condenser.
• Radiator. It cools and condenses freon gas
• Freon system filters, whose task is to protect the entry of foreign particles into the compressor
• The fitting connection to which they are connected copper tubes for vault with internal block

Indoor unit composition:

1. Front Panel.
2. Deep cleaning filter.
3. Radiator.
4. Evaporating and heating freon.
5. Horizontal blinds.
6. Indicator panel.
7. Fine filter.
8. Fan.
9. Vertical blinds designed to adjust the direction of air flow masses.
10. Condensate tray. From there, condensate is discharged through a drain hose.
11. Control board.
12. Union connection.

How to disassemble an air conditioner

If, when you turn on the air conditioning system, the flow of cooling air carries with it a sour, stagnant, moldy smell, then you should think about cleaning it. To do this, you need to rinse the outdoor and indoor units of the split system.

In order to solve such a problem, you can use two methods: attract a specialist, but this is a very expensive method, or disassemble the internal unit of the air conditioner with your own hands to perform cleaning work.

The latter method is more preferable, as it will save a significant amount Money, and acquired useful experience will come in handy in the future.

Guide to self-disassembly of the air conditioner

This method of disassembling a home air conditioner is universal; it is also suitable for disassembling the vast majority of brands that exist today.

In order to begin disassembling the block, you should stock up on the necessary tools. To work you will need:

• “Minus” and “plus” screwdrivers of different diameters.
• Set of hexagons.
• Thin soldering iron.
• Special disinfectant for air conditioning systems.
• Brush with elongated bristles

You need to know that in order to disassemble and clean the unit, you do not need to dismantle the unit from the wall, drain the freon and open the copper route.

First you need to disconnect the device from the power supply. After this, the protective filtration located in the block is removed. You can read how to remove it correctly in the instruction manual that came with the air conditioner. The whole process is described there in very detail and clearly.

After which, the outer panel is removed from the block. And then two bolts are unscrewed, which are closed with fuses, and the frame pulls in its direction. It is secured on the top side with two latches.

The entire panel that was on the top side will be covered in mold and dirt. It needs to be sent to the wash immediately.

Using a little force, a blade is pulled out of the grooves, which is responsible for directing the air masses.

Then the lower area of ​​the indoor unit of the unit is removed from the valve mounts, where the drainage hose and the wire supplying the air conditioner are disconnected.

If there are basic knowledge in electronics and radio engineering, then you don’t have to write it down, but when reassembling it, refer to the one drawn on the back side of the block, to detailed diagram connections.

Next, the fastening brackets are pressed out, and the housing of the electrical unit and transformer is removed. To dismantle the drain and outlet hose, you should very carefully and slowly squeeze out the three supporting fasteners. The opening, which serves to blow air masses out of the block, will also, like the blade part, be covered with mold, which causes the spread of such a nasty aroma.

After that, you should unscrew the supporting bolts of the electronic motor of the split system and lift the radiator with great care, after which you can remove the motor support. Next, the blades and the engine located in the cell are removed. In order to eliminate the possibility of the radiator accidentally falling, it can be placed back.

Then it is necessary to remove the thermal lock located on the mounting bolt of the friction wheel with the rim of the electric motor. But you need to keep in mind that it will be difficult to disassemble these things yourself. In order to avoid accidental combustion of the rubber part that transmits energy, it is necessary to very carefully heat the bolt head using a thin soldering iron, and during the soldering process you need to try to unscrew it. After successfully separating the blades from the motor part, all moldy and dusty parts are placed in the sink.

In order to rinse thoroughly, remove all foreign odors and disinfect all removed elements, it is worth purchasing a special product for air conditioners. It does an excellent job of removing fungi, mustiness, mold and germs.

When starting cleansing, you first need to shake the can. The product is sprayed over the entire surface that requires cleaning. Wait twenty minutes. Then use a long-haired brush to scrub through the contaminated areas. And washed with water. The air conditioner is assembled in the reverse order.

How often does the air conditioner need to be cleaned?

Everyone understands that the time for complete filtration greatly depends on the cleanliness of the room. If the environment in the room is polluted, then the air conditioner will also require frequent cleaning. In order to understand whether the air conditioner needs cleaning work, you can carry out an experiment. To do this, you should disassemble the device; if the filter is already completely clogged, then next time you need to do this a little earlier, and if the filter is still clean, then the procedure can be postponed until later. Also on some modern models, you can determine the level of filter contamination using an indicator that provides information about the current level of contamination.

In some living quarters, where perfect order reigns, daily cleaning is carried out wet cleaning– filters are changed only once a year. But this, of course, is an exceptional moment.

Ideally, the air conditioner requires cleaning every two weeks. Proper and regular maintenance of the device will ensure a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere in the house.

Conclusion

Thus, it is clear how to disassemble the indoor unit of the air conditioner, and there is absolutely nothing complicated about it.

You just have to have a little patience free time and let nothing distract you.

Disassembling on your own will help in preserving family budget and will give you new experience that will be very useful in the future. Air conditioners need to be cleaned periodically and calling a technician every time is not only expensive, but also not always convenient. As a rule, you have to wait for specialists and adjust to their arrival time.

And the ability to tinker and understand technology also brings moral satisfaction.

If you notice that the cold air coming out of the split system has an unpleasant sweetish smell of rot, this means that the unit urgently needs preventive cleaning

In addition to the unpleasant odor, clogging of the internal components of the air conditioner leads to faster wear of the power system of the device, increased energy consumption and, most unpleasantly, can cause whole line allergic respiratory diseases.

Of course, you can have a service technician perform this procedure, especially if the air conditioner is still under warranty. But if you have been using a split system for a long time and do not intend to pay a lot of money for something that you can easily handle on your own, then you should know the procedure for disassembling the air conditioner for its preventive cleaning.

In fact, today there are quite a lot of companies producing split systems, but they all assume a more or less unified system for constructing indoor units. Therefore, even if you encounter some design differences, the basic disassembly technique will remain the same.

How to disassemble the indoor unit of a split system for maintenance

The first step is to prepare a set of screwdrivers of various sizes and work area configurations. Also, do not forget to put boxes next to you for collecting fasteners, as well as a functional and electrical diagram of the air conditioner (in some models electrical diagram applied to the inside of the top cover of the unit). To clean the internal elements of the split system you will need a vacuum cleaner, detergents and clean rags.

1. Turn off the power to the air conditioner . This is the first thing to do in order to comply with electrical safety rules. Do not turn off the air conditioner using the remote control button, but simply remove the plug from the socket.
2. Remove the top cover of the unit . Unscrew several bolts (two or three) covered with decorative plugs and remove the top cover of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. The lid, which is coated on the inside with a layer of dirt and mold, should be washed in the bathroom using a brush and detergent.
3. Remove the air filters . Remove plastic coarse air filters. They can be mounted both on the block cover and inside it. We also wash the filters under a strong stream of water, helping ourselves with a brush.
4. Remove the airflow guides . Bending slightly, remove the special blinds from the grooves that direct the flow of cold air into the room. They, too, most likely need intensive washing.
5. Disconnect the bottom cover of the indoor unit, drain pipe and power cord of the split system . Carefully press out the three latches, and then disconnect the drain pan along with the outlet hose from the internal block of the split system.
6. Disconnect the wiring terminal blocks, remove the electronic control unit and transformer . To remove the control unit from the split system, carefully press out the side fasteners and then pull the device towards you. Don't forget to unscrew the ground wires before doing this.
7. Remove the fan motor. We unscrew the bolts securing the electric motor to the chassis, lift the evaporator and remove the motor together with the rotary fan.
8. Separate the motor from the fan . First, you will have to carefully heat the head of the bolt with a soldering iron to unlock the thermal lock on the engine pulley. Once the fan blades are removed from the pulley, they can be thoroughly washed in the bathtub.

Assembling the indoor unit of the split system should be done in the reverse order.

Antibacterial treatment and cleaning of the existing split system must be performed annually. Let us clarify: we are talking about internal modules used in your home, and office units need to be washed even more often. Maintenance of the external unit is carried out as it gets dirty, but at least once every 2 years. Let's figure out how you can clean your home air conditioner without calling a service technician, that is, with your own hands.

Why servicing more often is beneficial

Unlike old climate control equipment, modern split systems are capable of not only cooling, but also heating the air. Therefore, owners of apartments and private houses often use them until the street temperature drops below -5 °C. Accordingly, the main elements of the air conditioner - filters, heat exchangers and fans - become dirty twice as fast. There are other compelling arguments in favor of timely maintenance:

1. To your health. It is exposed to the harmful effects of fungi and mold that settle and actively multiply inside an overly dusty unit. The sign is an unpleasant musty smell.
2. Dirt accumulated in the external and internal radiator prevents the normal passage of air flow, which reduces the efficiency of the entire installation. With a constant output of heat or cold, more electricity is consumed.
3. Seasonal washing is one thing, and cleaning and antibacterial treatment of a heavily contaminated indoor module is quite another. You will do the first yourself, but for the second you will have to call a specialist with specialized equipment (high pressure washer, steam generator), which will cost you a pretty penny.

Note. Decline Any efficiency refrigeration machine leads to increased load on the compressor - the most expensive part. It turns out that heat exchangers clogged with dirt bring the time of repair, or even replacement, closer.

There is no point in developing the topic of harmful microorganisms living inside dirty air conditioners and harming people’s health, since this fact has long been known to everyone. But it would be useful to find out how much it costs in your region for professional cleaning of split systems with. After all, if the evaporator has not been washed for several years, then calling a specialist becomes inevitable.

Comparative example. The cost of comprehensive cleaning of household air conditioning systems with a power of up to 5 kW lies in the range of 2-3 thousand rubles. (35-53 USD). These are Moscow prices; in the regions they may be lower. If you wash the split with your own hands, then you can easily do it in 5, maximum – 10 cu. e., which you will spend to buy the cleaner. Agree, independent prevention is much more profitable than after-sales service.

Simple foam rinsing

This method of removing dirt from an indoor unit is very simple and accessible to everyone, including housewives. It is performed using detergents sold in aerosol cans (Liqui Moly, Plak, Bizol and the like). The technology is like this:

1. Disconnect the device from the power supply, open the lid and remove the filters. Rinse them running water and leave to dry.
2. Apply foam from the bottle onto the evaporator fins and wait for the time specified in the instructions (from 10 to 30 minutes).
3. Install the filters and turn on the split system in heating or ventilation mode (depending on the recommendations on the can) and let it work for half an hour. Ventilate the room.

How to foam clean an air conditioner at home is clearly demonstrated in the video:

Unfortunately, this method cannot be called effective, because it only allows you to flush the heat exchanger. The fan turbine, drainage basin and hidden cavities of the device remain dirty. Therefore, next we propose to consider how to properly clean the split system units, having first disassembled them.

How to disassemble and wash the indoor unit

The cleaning process is proposed to be considered using the example of a Korean Daewoo split with a power of 18 kBTU or 5.3 kW. What you will need for work:

• flat and Phillips screwdrivers;
• alkaline-based cleaner Carlyclean or similar in a container with a hand sprayer;
• a special polyethylene cover with a water drain, made to fit the dimensions of the indoor unit;
• latex gloves;
• another hand-held sprayer to rinse off the cleaner.

For reference. A single dose of Carlyclean can be ordered at any specialized online store at a price of about 3 USD. e. They also sell covers that protect walls from drips (cost is about 2 USD). If you wish, you can solder such a device yourself from plastic film.

To thoroughly clean and disinfect all parts of the internal module, you need to disassemble it in the following order:

Note. Split systems from other manufacturers are disassembled in approximately the same order. Differences occur in the methods of attaching the panels, the number of blinds and the placement of the display.

If you are servicing your home air conditioner for the first time, the disassembly procedure will take approximately 1.5-2 hours. This gives you access to the fan turbine and the cavity behind it, which also needs to be cleaned. Then everything is simple: pull the cover over the module, sliding its edges between the wall and the body, then start cleaning the “split”:

1. Wear rubber gloves and thoroughly apply cleaning fluid to the heat exchanger, fan drum and internal cavities. At the same time, rotate the turbine with your free hand.
2. After 5-10 minutes, take a water sprayer and wash off the product along with the dirt. You need to spray until clean water runs out of the block.
3. Wait until all the water has drained from the indoor unit, then remove the cover and let the unit dry.
4. Wash the removed panel, bath and filters and dry them. At the same time, try not to wet the foam seals. After drying, the air conditioner can be assembled.

Advice. It is better to start assembly the next day so that all the parts have time to dry thoroughly. Our video will tell you how to properly disassemble and clean the internal unit of a split system:

Instructions for cleaning the outdoor unit

The main difficulty in servicing the external unit is its location. If it is installed on the wall of a high-rise building on the side of a window opening, then it is better to avoid cleaning it yourself, unless you live on the first floor. It is safer to work when the capacitor is placed in the following places:

• on not glassed balcony or loggias;
• on the wall of a private house where you can attach a ladder;
• under the apartment window.

The disassembly and cleaning procedure itself is quite simple and is performed in the following sequence:

For reference. The electronics and compressor installed in the external unit are separated from the condenser by a partition, so you can safely apply the product and rinse it off with water.

It is also better to postpone turning on the cooler for a day so that the seals have time to dry. How to clean the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is shown in the video:

Conclusion

The described self-cleaning technology is suitable for split systems that have not become heavily clogged with dirt. After watching the video, you will see how easy it is to wash the parts of a cooler that has been in use for 1-2 years since the last service. If, upon opening, you find a decent layer of dirt, then it is better to contact a service workshop for the first time. Its specialists will thoroughly clean the air conditioner and perform antibacterial steam treatment, and you will take care of further cleaning.

Nowadays, many owners of houses and apartments equip their homes with climate control equipment, which is capable of maintaining a comfortable indoor microclimate. One of the most popular devices designed for these purposes is an air conditioner. Modern models can have not only one function - air cooling, but also be “all-season”, multifunctional, that is, at any time of the year they can maintain a normal temperature set by the user in the rooms.

However, the microclimate will actually be comfortable, and the use of air conditioning will not harm the owners if certain important conditions are met. In particular, such devices require certain care, so they are usually serviced professional craftsmen. For this purpose, agreements are often concluded with the company that carried out the work for further service maintenance. They also resort to one-time calls to specialists - there are many advertisements with similar content in the advertising press.

But such a service is not cheap, so many device owners are interested in the possibility of caring for them on their own. One of the important points in servicing air conditioning equipment is keeping all its components, especially filter units, clean. Therefore, the question arises: how possible is it to clean the air conditioner with your own hands? Yes, it's completely doable! And if you understand at least a little about the design of the device and know how such a process is carried out, then, indeed, you can put it in order yourself.

Why is air conditioner cleaning necessary?

Is regular cleaning of climate control equipment really necessary? Maybe this is just another “money scam” on the part of manufacturers and service companies? No, everything is much more serious!

Devices that cool or heat air drive it through filtering devices installed in them, since it is unrealistic to completely get rid of dust in rooms. Accordingly, quite soon the filters collect a large number of dirt and dust.

Therefore, if you do not periodically clean the air conditioner, the following problems will certainly arise:

• There will be a clear decline functionality device, that is, a significant decrease in efficiency due to difficulty passing air through the filters.
• If the air conditioner is not cleaned or is not cleaned regularly, the heat exchanger with the freon inside it will begin to overheat, which will increase the load on the compressor, and as a result, rapid wear of the device.

• High humidity and dust deposits inside and outside the filters contribute to the active proliferation of dust mites and various bacteria. Among pathogenic microorganisms, the most dangerous is legionella, which causes a severe lung disease - legionellosis (also called “Pittsburgh pneumonia”). Along with air flows passing through contaminated filters, fungal and mold spores can spread throughout the premises, which can easily provoke allergic reactions, lead to asthmatic attacks and dermatitis.
• An unpleasant smell in the room is probably the most minor nuisance of all that is caused by air conditioner contamination.

It should be noted that air conditioners that are installed in multi-storey buildings on the top floors are less susceptible to rapid clogging, since high altitude Concentrates several times less dust than in the lower layers of air. But this does not mean that they will not have to be cleaned - there may simply be less dirt deposits.

Much more often it will be necessary to clean and disinfect devices installed in houses located near highways, in industrial areas of the city and in areas under construction, since the air there is most polluted.

Another negative phenomenon for climate control equipment is poplar and other plant fluff, which can literally clog air conditioner filters in a short time. Therefore, if the area where the house is located is planted with poplars or other trees (shrubs) with a similar form of flowering, then you need to monitor the climate control devices with special care.

The air conditioner, as a rule, begins to “declare” that it requires maintenance if it is not cleaned on time. So, such manifestations can be:

• Permanent or temporary noise or crackling noise when the device is turned on.
• Unpleasant smell of dampness or dampness.
• A clear decrease in the cooling capacity of the air conditioner.
• The device began to consume too much electricity with the same or even reduced output - this can be noticed by taking readings from the meter.
• While the air conditioner was running, the indoor unit began to leak.

Prices for popular air conditioners

If at least one of the above signs appears, this indicates that the device requires urgent maintenance, otherwise the air conditioner may soon fail.

It is best to prevent such a situation, since it can result in the replacement of individual parts or structural units that have failed due to the banal carelessness of the owners, which leads to significant costs.

• It is imperative to clean the device filters in the spring, before intensive work in the summer.
• Prevention should also be carried out in the fall, before the cold period, when the air conditioner is switched to room heating mode.
• Unscheduled prevention is urgent, in any case, if the above-mentioned signs appear.

Thanks to timely preventive maintenance, the air conditioner will work without problems throughout its entire lifespan, which is usually 8÷12 years or even more.

Cleaning the indoor unit of a split system

Design of the indoor unit of the air conditioner

To figure out where to start with preventative work, and what exactly should be subjected to the most thorough cleaning, you need to at least get a little familiar with the design of the device. Most often in Lately Split systems are used, and the indoor air conditioner unit that is most accessible to the user primarily affects the microclimate in the room. Let's start with it.

So, the internal block consists of the following components and parts:

1 – Front panel of the device – This is a plastic case with a grille. Through it, air from the room, naturally with transferred dust, enters into the device for cooling (or heating). The panel can be easily removed for maintenance if necessary. For this purpose, a system of locks (latches) is provided.

2 – Coarse filter is a fine-mesh polymer mesh that is designed for collecting large dust particles from the air, fluff, animal hair fibers and other similar suspensions. Such a filter requires cleaning, or at least monitoring, at least twice a month. In innovative models, some manufacturers provide automatic cleaning of this filter. The coarse pre-filter is located immediately behind the front panel of the device.

3 – Fine filter. Usually, not one, but several filters are installed in a cascade, which can clean the air from various contaminants. Each of them has its own structural features:

• Carbon filter containing Activated carbon, and designed to remove unpleasant odors and neutralize harmful substances. This type of filter is not cleaned, but is completely replaced, on average every 4–5 months.
• Zeolite filter made from porous mineral - zeolite. This filter option is capable of absorbing chemical compounds from the air, which include heavy metals, so it is more effective than carbon. In addition, unlike a carbon filter, a zeolite filter can be washed with water and can be used for up to five years with regular maintenance.
• Electrostatic The filter cleans the air of fine dust by creating an electrostatic field. Dust particles passing through it become electrified and settle on oppositely charged plates. The service life of this filter is unlimited, and it is cleaned when it becomes dirty.
• Plasma filter works on approximately the same principle as electrostatic. In it, under the influence of electrical voltage, a low temperature plasma is formed that can destroy harmful substances and small dust particles, simultaneously giving them a negative charge, due to which they settle on a positively charged plate. The plasma filter is also designed to remove odors and smoke. The service life of this filter is unlimited, and it is cleaned as it becomes dirty.
• UV filter necessarily includes an LED of a certain spectrum of light, which is capable of disinfecting the air in the room, destroying viruses and bacteria. Ultraviolet light, in addition, can prevent the growth and spread of mold and mildew inside the air conditioner. This option can be used independently or in combination with a photocatalytic filter.
• Photocatalytic filter is a porous substance with titanium dioxide coating. This filter adsorbs on its surface all air pollutants passing through it, including toxic substances, unpleasant odors, fungal spores, etc. Being exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which is included in the complex photocatalytic filter, all toxic substances break down into water and carbon dioxide. This type of filter does an excellent job of removing both inorganic and organic air pollutants. The service life of this filter is limited only by the “lifetime” of the ultraviolet lamp.
• Antibacterial filter. Designed to neutralize various pathogenic microflora - microbes and viruses. It contains such natural active ingredients as:

- catechin - an antiseptic found in apples and green tea;

— Wassabi is a plant with antibacterial properties.

Prices for filters for air conditioners

air conditioner filter

• Antioxidant filter is made on the basis of flavonoids, which help convert free radicals into inactive chemical compounds.

4 – Fan, providing air circulation through the air conditioner. As a rule, the fan can have three to four rotation speeds.

5 – Evaporator. This is, at its core, a radiator in which freon evaporates, due to which the air passing through it is cooled.

6 – Horizontal blinds regulating the direction of air flow vertically. They are controlled remotely, from a remote control, through an electric drive installed in the air conditioner housing.

7 – Indicator panel located on the surface of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Using LEDs or a digital display, it shows the operating modes of the device, including the set temperature.

8 – Vertical blinds regulate air flows in horizontal directions. They can be moved manually or remotely, depending on the equipment of the device.

In addition to the above-mentioned structural elements, it necessarily contains others not shown in the figure:

9 – Condensate tray. This part is located under the evaporator, and it serves to collect water, which is then discharged through the drain hose from the air conditioner to the outside.

10 - Control electronic board. A central microprocessor is installed on it, with the help of which the device is controlled. The board is usually located to the right of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Usually a terminal group is located near it - for connecting the air conditioner to the electrical network and for electrical switching of the indoor unit with the external one.

11 – Union connections located on the lower rear part of the indoor unit. Copper tubes connected to them serve to connect the outdoor and indoor units - this creates a closed loop for the circulation of refrigerant.

Several preparatory operations

Due to the fact that a split system air conditioner consists of two units, external and internal, their cleaning also differs somewhat from each other, which is important to consider when starting its prevention. We will focus on the external block below, but for now we continue to consider the internal one.

• Before starting any maintenance work, you must protect your hands and Airways, since we must not forget that in the air conditioner housing there is a breeding ground for viruses and dangerous bacteria that got there along with dust from the air. They can easily enter the body, which can lead to serious illness, even for a person with excellent immunity.
• Next, the air conditioner must be disconnected from the power supply. It would seem that this action is understandable for everyone, but sometimes they forget about it, and remember only at the moment when the first electric shock occurs. It’s good if it’s light, only in the form of tingling….
• Then, it is recommended to cover the area of ​​the floor under the air conditioner. plastic film, which is best simply thrown away after cleaning the device. It is especially important to protect the floor surface if the air conditioner has been running for a long time without maintenance and a large amount of dirt has accumulated in it.

Procedure for general cleaning of the indoor unit

Sometimes it is necessary to clean only the filters of the device, since they become dirty first. I must say that washing them yourself is not at all difficult. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out this procedure almost weekly, making it a rule to perform these simple steps before starting to clean your apartment or house. Naturally, such frequent maintenance is necessary if the device is used constantly.

If the air conditioning equipment is cleaned regularly, the house is kept clean, and thanks to this dust does not have time to clog all the pores of the fine filters and coarse filter cells, then it is enough to dry clean with a vacuum cleaner.

If the air conditioner filters are heavily clogged, they will have to be washed additionally with special detergents and then with water.

Detergents are purchased in specialized stores of climate control equipment or in service centers for its maintenance.

Illustration	Brief description of the operation performed
	So, the first step is to open the front cover of the air conditioner, on which the protective grille is located. This process is simple, especially since all owners need to do it quite often, checking the degree of contamination of the device. Next, carefully remove the coarse filters. They can also be secured in different ways. So, in some models they can be removed without even opening or dismantling the front panel.
	Then the cover covering the fasteners is removed. IN various designs this panel can be secured in different ways - in some models it is enough to simply remove it from the latches, while in others it has to be unscrewed.
	In this model, the plastic housing of the indoor unit is secured with screws located at the bottom of the structure. They are closed with protective plates that must first be opened. For convenience, you can use a regular screwdriver - use it to pick up the closing screws of the lid, and then unscrew the fasteners themselves. The work must be done carefully, as plastic parts- quite fragile. After unscrewing the fastenings, it is also necessary to remove the indicator panel connected to the electrical part of the air conditioner from the housing. This element, along with the wires, must be temporarily placed to the electrical unit.
	After unscrewing the screws, the plastic housing of the air conditioner is removed. It is also attached differently in different models, so after unscrewing the screws on one side, you should not yank the case. You need to carefully pull it towards you, and if it does not come off, you will have to look for places where it is additionally secured. Next, fine filters should be removed from the air conditioner.
	The next step is to protect the electrical unit of the device from splashes of disinfectants and detergents, as well as jets of water. Ordinary hospital shoe covers are perfect for this purpose - thanks to the elastic band on them, they will fit tightly to the device, and the protection will not fall off during work.
	Now the time has come preparatory work for cleaning. For this purpose, you can use a large, durable plastic bag, but this “device” will not be able to guarantee reliable protection of room surfaces from contact with detergents along with dirt from the air conditioner. In specialized stores or on online trading platforms, you can purchase a kit specifically designed to protect floors and walls during cleaning of climate control equipment. This set is more convenient, since it contains almost all the necessary elements both for attaching it and for draining dirty water into a bucket.
	The service package includes a large specially shaped cellophane bag with a funnel in the lower central part, onto which a plastic spout is attached for easy fixation of the outlet hose. In addition, it contains a polyethylene apron installed between the wall and the bottom of the air conditioner, holders like stationery ones, with the help of which the stiffening ribs inserted into the edges of the bag are fixed, and a tape for hanging it under the air conditioner. Unfortunately, the kit does not include elements that act as stiffeners, as well as a hose for draining dirty water. Therefore, you will have to take care of these details yourself. To do this, you will need thin plastic or metal tubes, or even ordinary wooden glazing beads, which are used to fasten window glass. The length of these rigid inserts should be: 600 mm - 2 pcs. and 1200 mm - 2 pcs. The section of the hose must correspond to the diameter of the spout attached to the plastic bag - so that it fits tightly to the drain spout.
	The bag has channels along its edges into which you need to install stiffening ribs and secure them using office holders. A belt is attached to one side of the bag, with which the bag will be hung on the air conditioner. When ready for use, this device looks approximately as shown in the illustration.
	Next, take an apron - this is an ordinary polyethylene sheet, which is slipped under the body of the device and secured to the wall using masking tape. It will protect the wall from dirty pieces of wet dust. Then, the package with stiffening ribs is suspended under the air conditioner, the belt is put on top of the device body. After this, a hose is put on the plastic spout, the second end of which is lowered into an ordinary plastic bucket standing on the floor.
	Further, if, after opening the indoor unit of the air conditioner, thick layers of dust are found, they can be removed with a soft brush or collected with a vacuum cleaner. After such superficial removal of accumulated deposits, it will be easier to wash the structural parts from more deeply embedded dirt.
	Having removed the external dust, you can proceed to preparing a cleaning disinfectant solution. It is made from products specially designed for cleaning air conditioners. The solution is mixed in accordance with the proportions indicated on the packaging of detergents. To apply the solution you will need a spray bottle in which the jet can be adjusted according to the spray diameter.
	The next step is to apply the finished solution to all elements of the indoor unit. Particular care must be taken to spray the fan and radiator of the device. A huge amount of dust collects on the impeller blades of the roller fan, which eats into the surface of the material from which it is made. Therefore, thoroughly clean this part of the air conditioner from dirt without special means It just won't work. The radiator is equipped with numerous heat exchange plates, between which dust also accumulates, and removing it with plain water is quite difficult, so you also cannot do without special equipment. The disinfectant cleaning solution must cover all parts of the structure, since if unwashed areas remain, they will later become a favorable place for new layers of dirt to attach.
	Application of detergents is usually carried out in two stages. Liquid detergent disinfectant is sprayed first (in in this case this is "Alfadez"), and then the detergent "Winns 30202", which is sold in cylinders and produces abundant foam, which helps to better soften and peel off dirt. After the detergents are applied to the surfaces of the indoor unit, they must be left for some time, about 20-25 minutes, so that the solutions corrode the outer and inner dirty layers. When the foam settles, you can check how easily the dirt will be removed.
	After the foam has settled, you can begin flushing the split system with water supplied under high pressure in a thin stream. When washing yourself, you can use the same spray bottle, but this will require quite a lot of time and a large amount of water.
	When flushing the system, dirt will flow along the bottom of the air conditioner housing into a plastic bag suspended underneath it, and from there into a bucket. It is important to ensure that the container does not overfill, as dirty water and disinfectants can seriously damage the flooring.
	Flushing the internal block of the split system begins from its rear part. Then the radiator is thoroughly washed, after which it needs to be cleaned again inner part, since dirt from the heat exchanger grille may end up on the surface of the fan blades.
	While the indoor unit is soaking under the influence of detergents, you can clean the parts of the plastic housing removed from the structure. They are also sprayed with disinfectants and detergents. If necessary, dirt on them can be rubbed with a soft brush, and then these structural elements are washed under running water.
	In addition to the hard parts of the housing, it is also necessary to wash the coarse air filters. First, they also need to be sprayed with detergents. Then they are left for a while until the dirt is removed from them, and then washed under running water.
	The filter is washed, but not wiped - the water should drain from it spontaneously, and it should dry naturally. When washing the filter, you cannot use conventional detergents, as they can negatively affect not only the filter itself, but also the internal unit of the air conditioner. In addition, we should not forget that the molecules of solutions household chemicals will subsequently enter the air of residential premises.
	It is more difficult with fine filters, since among them there are options that cannot be washed, and dry cleaning will not bring results, and therefore they will have to be replaced with new ones. So, I would like to remind you that replaceable filters include carbon, antibacterial, antioxidant, and vitamin ones. Filters that can be washed include electrostatic, photocatalytic, plasma and zeolite. New replacement filters are usually sold at air conditioner service centers or at service centers of manufacturing companies.
	When all the insides of the unit and all the parts removed from it have dried well, you can remove the hanging bag and shoe covers from the electrical unit and reassemble the air conditioner in the reverse order. The fine filters (new or washed) are returned to their place, then the washed housing is fixed, the indicator panel is attached to it, and lastly the coarse filters are installed.
	Now that the work on cleaning the air conditioner has been completed, you can turn it on, check its functionality and proceed to normal operation, until the next maintenance.

Cleaning the air conditioner drain system

One of the common problems that air conditioner owners face is water leaking onto the floor or walls from the indoor unit. Most often, leaks occur for the following reasons:

• Due to contamination of the drainage system of the device, when condensate cannot pass through the clogged tube, and therefore begins to flow from the indoor unit into the room. In this case drainage system needs to be cleaned. Clogging of the drainage occurs due to the fact that the air conditioner units were not cleaned in time - the dust turned into dirt and clogged the tube.
• If the amount of freon (refrigerant) in the system is reduced, then the temperature of the evaporator also becomes lower, so ice forms on it and water does not pass into the pan, and also flows onto the floors of the room.
• If the air conditioner does not have a pressure regulator, then when the outside temperature drops, the pressure drops and in the system, as a result which also reduces the temperature in the evaporator. However, it should be noted that pressure regulators are usually installed in all modern air conditioner models.
• Freezing of the drain pipe - this occurs if the air conditioner is used in winter period for cooling rooms.
• Another reason for stagnation in the drainage is wasps or other flying insects, which quite often clog the edge of the pipe located on the street.

If the drain pipe is clogged, then before you start cleaning it, you must wash the drain pan, as well as other elements of the air conditioning system. Work to clean the drainage is carried out with the device disconnected from the network and is carried out in the following order:

• The first step is to remove the coarse filters.
• Next, the lower narrow panel is dismantled, hiding the fastenings of the housing to the air conditioner.
• Then the drain pan is removed - in each design this operation is carried out differently, but it is not difficult, and it is quite possible to figure it out on the spot. It is necessary to remove this structural element in order to clean it from dirt, and also in order to get to the hole into which water flows from the pan and to which a drainage tube is attached.

• The next step is to disconnect the drain tube from the air conditioner and attach the compressor hose to it ( hand pump), a steam generator or a vacuum cleaner with a blowing function.

• Another cleaning option could be mechanical method. To do this, take a long one, enough hard, but at the same time a flexible wire (something like a television cable works well), which is inserted into a disconnected drainage tube or directly through a hole in the tray. It is pushed through the entire drainage system. Thus, it should appear from a pipe facing the street through which the condensate leaves.
• However, these are not all the actions necessary in this process, since it must be taken into account that the plug from the tube was removed, but the dirt still remained in it along the drains. When the air conditioner operates, new dust will easily adhere to these remaining dirt, and the plug will be restored. Therefore, the tube must be rinsed thoroughly. This can be done using a pump or a homemade device consisting of plastic bottle and a piece of silicone hose placed around its neck.

• To flush the drainage tube, it is recommended to use chlorhexidine, which is an excellent antiseptic and is sold at the pharmacy. Rinsing will require approximately 400 ml of liquid.

• If flushing is carried out through the drainage hole, that is, without removing the tube from it, then the flushing liquid can be poured through it. The bottle with chlorhexidine has a spout, which allows you to carry out this procedure without the use of improvised means. After 15–20 minutes, the system must be additionally purged using a vacuum cleaner or pump. After cleaning the system, it is recommended to check it immediately. To do this, one and a half liters is poured into it again using one of the methods described above. ordinary water, which should flow freely through the pipe on the street.

If the air conditioner is equipped with a drain pump, that is, condensate is not discharged to the street, leakage may occur for the following reasons:

• Failure of the pump - it may not work at full capacity or even burn out. In any case, the device must be checked, and for this it will have to be removed.
• If the float chamber is clogged and the float is fixed in one position, the pump will stop draining water.
• The float or proximity sensor does not work.
• The air outlet tube is pinched.
• Insufficient contact of the pump power terminals.

To find the cause of problems in models that have drainage pump, you will have to invite a specialist to repair climate control equipment. It is not recommended to meddle with this system yourself.

Automatic air conditioner cleaning system

Some modern models air conditioners are equipped with an automatic cleaning system. The principle of operation is quite simple - with a certain frequency the device switches to “idle” operation, and the air passing through the filters dries all parts of the structure.

In addition to the usual automatic cleaning, some models are equipped with ionic air purification. Thanks to the latter, dust particles are ionized and therefore easily fall into the dust collector. In another version of the device, water ionized dust is used to protect against unpleasant odors - this is a system of complete ionization and filtration.

In addition, such air conditioners are usually equipped with sensors that can monitor the composition of the air. If necessary, they command the automatic cleaning system to turn on.

These features of the air conditioner extend its service life and make it easier to maintain. However, you should not think that you will not have to clean the device manually or call a specialist for this purpose, since automatic system will not be able to remove and wash its filters, and this must be done, one way or another.

Find out and also read the criteria for evaluating devices in a special article on our portal.

Cleaning the external unit of the split system

Design of the external unit of the air conditioner

Now, having figured out how to clean the internal unit of a split system, you need to consider how preventative work is carried out on its external part.

Unlike the internal unit, the external unit is washed once a year, but this is still necessary, since it becomes clogged not only with dust, but also with leaves, poplar fluff, small twigs and other debris. From this it becomes clear that it is absolutely impossible not to clean this part of the air conditioner. It is most difficult to take preventive measures if the device is installed on the upper floors multi-storey buildings, in this case, you cannot do without specialists.

The design of the external unit consists of the following blocks and parts:

1 – Fan, occupies most of the body of the external unit of the air conditioner. Its functions are to blow the heat exchanger-condenser.

2 – Capacitor located along the inner walls of the case, near the fan. It is a collection of copper tubes, inside of which freon is pumped, which is cooled by a running fan.

3 – Compressor ensures circulation of freon through the common closed circuit of the air conditioner. This device comes in two types - piston and spiral. The piston version of the compressor is more affordable, but less reliable, unlike a piston device. This factor is especially important given the conditions of low winter temperatures.

4 – Control board, but it is only available in inverter-type air conditioners. In others climate control devices all electronics are located in the internal housing, since external natural factors can negatively affect electronic components.

5 – Four-way valve installed only in reversible air conditioner models, that is, capable of not only cooling, but also heating rooms. This control unit is necessary to change the direction of freon movement when switching the device to heating mode. After this, in fact, the outdoor and indoor units change their functions - the outdoor unit begins to work for cooling, and the indoor unit begins to work for heating the air pumped through it.

6 – Union connections there are both on the indoor and outdoor units, since it is to them that the copper tubes are connected, connecting the air conditioning department into one common system refrigerant circulation.

7 – Filter to clean the refrigerant, it is installed in front of the compressor and protects it from small particles and copper chips, which often remain in the circuit during installation of the air conditioner.

8 – Protective cover covering electrical cable terminals and fitting connections. However, in some models such a cover is provided only for electrical connections, while the fittings remain open.

Cleaning the external unit of the air conditioner

Cleaning the external unit of the air conditioner can be done with your own hands only if it is installed in a private house, and you can safely work from a stepladder, or on the balcony of a high-rise building. Independent work at heights without special equipment, a safety net or experience – it is strictly prohibited!

Prices for LG air conditioners

LG air conditioner

The cleaning process is carried out in stages, in the following order:

• The first step is to completely de-energize the device.
• Next, the front panel of the external unit is dismantled. Having removed it, the owner would probably immediately will see the entire volume upcoming works.
• First, all large debris found in the housing is removed - it is this that slows down the operation of the air conditioner. Large debris can usually be removed by hand and no tools are required for this process.
• The next step is to remove dust layers from hard to reach places housings. For this purpose, brushes of different widths and a hand-held vacuum cleaner are used.

• The fan blades can also be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and, if necessary, wiped with a damp cloth. Wet cleaning must be done carefully so that water does not get on the electrical contacts. If you have to use a large amount of water to wash the fan, then the electrical unit should be covered with plastic wrap.
• The capacitor has smooth smooth surfaces, so cleaning it will not be difficult - this can be done with regular damp cloth or a sponge.
• Before replacing the front panel, it should also be thoroughly washed and dried.
• The electrical unit of the device should not be touched. Its repair and prevention should be carried out by specialists.
• The air conditioner can only be turned on after it has completely dried.

Find out how to make it, and also check out several simple models with step-by-step instructions in a special article on our portal.

At the end of the topic I would like to give a few useful tips, which will help you avoid making mistakes when operating and cleaning climate control devices.

Haier air conditioner prices

Haier air conditioner

• When purchasing an air conditioner, it is recommended to conclude a contract for service maintenance device. During the warranty period, it can be carried out free of charge.
• Timely preventative maintenance will extend the trouble-free operation of the air conditioner and eliminate many problems.
• It is recommended to entrust the first cleaning and disinfection of the air conditioner to specialists from the service department. At the same time, it is worth carefully monitoring how they carry out preventive measures, so that you can then use their experience when performing independent work.
• If the air conditioner begins to malfunction, then you should not think that the malfunction will go away on its own. It is necessary to disconnect it from the power supply and call a technician for diagnostics and possible repairs.
• If you decide to clean it yourself, you must use special detergents and disinfectants. In addition, to clean the radiator of the indoor unit it is convenient to use comb brushes, which are designed specifically for this purpose.

• Air conditioner cleaning will be better if you use a steam cleaner. A jet of hot steam not only removes dirt, but also carries out preventive disinfection of structural parts.
• Assembly and connection to the network can be done only after all parts of the air conditioner have completely dried.
• You cannot start the air conditioner when it is internal surfaces and the fan are coated with detergents. Doing this is extremely dangerous, as water can get into the electrical unit of the device, which will cause a short circuit in the network. In addition, dirt accumulated on the fan blades will scatter throughout the room, ending up on the surfaces of the walls, ceiling, floor, furniture and other interior items.
• In order for the device to serve for a long time, you must follow all the rules for its operation specified by the manufacturer in the instructions.

So, from all that has been said above, it becomes clear that it is quite possible to carry out work on cleaning climate control equipment yourself, if you know the design of the device and the procedure for carrying out this process. If the owner can carry out air conditioner maintenance on his own once and understands all the nuances, he will no longer have to call a specialist for this purpose, since a specialist will only be needed to solve more serious problems.

And, probably, an interested reader will find a video story useful, in which an amateur master shows how he cleans his air conditioner on his own.