How To Maintain A Portable Air Conditioner
Five Best Tips for Maintaining a Portable AC
Portable air conditioners require a fair bit of love and attention if you want them to successfully keep you cool during those hot sticky months. Through learning how to maintain a portable air conditioner within this guide, you’ll be at a far lower risk of having to break the bank on costly repairs (or – even worse – having to spend summer months with no air con!).
Read on to discover some top maintenance tips that your air conditioning unit and whole household will thank you for.
1. Clean The Exterior Frequently
Just like anything else in your home, your portable air conditioner will require a strict cleaning schedule. This is particularly the case if your unit is white as the buildup of dust and any other dirt will become very apparent.
To clean the exterior of your air conditioning unit, simply wipe it with a damp cloth. This is all that’s needed to do the trick – you’ll find that the unit maintains its bright colour for longer when cleaning with this simple method.
2. Clean The Filters Too!
While cleaning the exterior of your air conditioning unit is great for appearance purposes, the dirt accumulated on the outside will also give you an insight as to what the inside might be looking like. If the exterior is looking particularly dirty, then it’s a telltale sign to clean the interior before it damages the performance of the air conditioning.
This is particularly the case with the filters.
The filters are what ensures your portable air conditioner continues to blast out fresh cool air every time it’s in use. They are responsible for providing your environment with high-quality air, but when the filters become dirty or overused, you’ll immediately be able to tell.
If your filters are washable, then it’s wise to clean them every time you clean the exterior. This frequent routine will be sure to keep them working to the best of their potential. Simply soak them in warm water and use a soft brush to clean the fiddly spots.
If the filters are throw-away filters, then be sure to have enough supply to replace when the time comes.
3. Check The Condenser Coils When Cleaning The Unit
The condenser coil is responsible for keeping heat away from your conditioning unit. It is far more costly to replace than a filter is, making it all the more important to keep up with the coils maintenance!
The main thing to look out for when checking the condenser coils is a buildup of grease. It’s perfectly normal for coils to get greasy and gunky, but this buildup can cause permanent damage. For best results, use a coil cleaning solution to wipe away all of the unwanted dirt. Once again, do this frequently as part of your whole cleaning routine.
4. Straighten The Exhaust Hose As Much As Possible
Common air conditioner problems near enough always arise from the placement of the exhaust hose. Many people notice how flexible the hose is and decide to stretch it in all sorts of directions so that it looks ‘neater’ in their home. But, while this may be convenient for some, it actually seriously impacts the performance of your unit and the quality of the air.
As a general rule of thumb, the exhaust hose on your portable air conditioner needs to be as short and straight as possible. This helps to prevent unwanted moisture from building up. If moisture does build up, then it will soon start to ‘flood’ into the actual unit and cause a whole array of problems.
When your exhaust hose is kept short and straight, you’ll soon notice the difference in the air which your unit is generating. You can wave goodbye to murky air and say hello to a far fresher and cooler environment.
5. Keep The Room Clean
If you’re wondering why your portable air conditioner isn’t working to the best of its ability but you’ve found no issues with any of the above areas, then it’s time to think about the room it’s in.
If you place your air conditioning unit in rooms that naturally build up a lot of dust, it is highly likely that the unit will start to malfunction over time. While keeping up with a strict cleaning routine will help out in most areas, the long-term damage that a dusty room can have on the unit will be irreversible.
With this in mind, always make sure that the room your conditioning unit is in remains as clean as possible. If this isn’t doable, then consider moving it to another room which requires less maintenance.
Bonus Tip: Looking After The Unit All Year Round
Unless your home gets warmed by the sun all year round, it is unlikely that you will need your portable air conditioner unit during the colder months.
While some people keep the unit in the same place through all months, it is actually recommended to store it away properly when you know you won’t use it. Leaving your unit unused will only lead to an accumulation of dust, increasing the chances of it becoming faulty the next time you need it. If you wrap it up and store it in a cool and dry place, however, it won’t encounter anything that will damage it and negatively affect its performance.
When it comes to finding a good location to store your portable air conditioning unit, the following places are ideal:
- Closet
- Storage room
- Pantry
- Garage
If you struggle to find a good location for your unit during the colder months, just ensure that you thoroughly keep up with all of the maintenance tips listed in this guide.
Enjoy High-Quality Fresh Air!
So – there you have it. All of the tips needed to ensure that your portable air conditioning unit lasts for years to come! As you can see, none of these maintenance tips are particularly difficult and can, therefore, be incorporated into your normal cleaning routine without any trouble at all. Enjoy your high-quality cool air!