Split system maintenance: do-it-yourself cleaning, repair and refueling of climate equipment

Express oil analysis

Few people know, but in the process of prevention, you can do an express analysis of the oil that circulates in the freon circuit along with the refrigerant.

If we consider the process as a whole, first a little oil is taken from the compressor, then it is checked and compared with known pure oil.

Next, a test is performed for the presence of acid in the composition. To get a sample, do the following:

• Turn off the air conditioner and wait 10 or more minutes for the oil to drain from the walls of the pipes.
• Connect a one-fourth ball valve to the service outlet.
• Put a rubber tube on the faucet, the second end of which is lowered into the container.
• Drain a small amount of oil and let it stand until the foam goes away.
• Pour the collected composition into a clean container.

The resulting oil must be compared with a known pure liquid. The criteria for comparison are smell and shade.

If the oil is dark and stinks, this indicates that the compressor is frequently overheating. Such a fluid no longer performs its functions and needs to be replaced. If you do not do the work on time, the device will fail.

The presence of a greenish color indicates the appearance of "copper" salts, which is explained by the appearance of moisture in the circuit. An acid test is recommended for accurate diagnosis.

If the "diagnosis" is confirmed, the device requires prophylaxis. This cannot be done at home - you need to take the device to the workshop.

If the test results are positive, the liquid is returned back:

• Pour the oil into a clean tall glass.
• Mark the level.
• Dip the free end of the tube into it (it was connected earlier).
• Open the valve and wait a while.
• Add as much oil as is in the glass.
• Start the air conditioner and enter the cooling mode, then close the liquid port. After some time, the pressure in the tube will decrease.
• Open the valve of the port to suck oil into the air conditioner. As soon as the level reaches the mark made, turn off the tap and turn off the climate system. At the same time open the liquid port.

Cleaning the outdoor unit

The external block is washed independently if it is located in an accessible place.Otherwise, you need to call the high-altitudes. The outdoor unit is cleaned once per season. Lack of service at least once a year reduces the performance of the air conditioner.

When cleaning the outdoor unit, all electrical components must be protected from moisture.

The procedure for cleaning the air conditioner with your own hands:

Switch off the equipment, pull out the plug from the socket.
Use a damp cloth to clean the outer surfaces of the outdoor unit.
Remove the protective grill and vacuum all accessible parts very carefully, as they are covered with a protective layer. If it is damaged, rust will begin to form and the equipment will quickly become unusable.
Using a hose connected to a faucet, rinse the insides under pressure.
Assemble and bolt the outer grille.

When working with an external device, you need to pay attention to the condition of the copper pipes. If they freeze (there is frost), then there is a freon leak, and you need to call specialists for repairs and refueling

Refrigerant losses of up to 8% per year are normal. Normally, there should be no signs of ice.

Split system maintenance - basic recommendations

Using practical recommendations, each owner of a ventilation device will know how to service the air conditioner himself?

Regular maintenance of air conditioners consists in cleaning the ventilation structures in the external and internal blocks of the device.

The internal and external blocks of the device work on the principle of a vacuum cleaner, a huge amount of dirty air passes through them. After some time, the dust that has settled on the filters and drainage completely clogs them, which leads to malfunctions in the split system.Therefore, it is recommended to regularly clean each unit of the ventilation system.

The reason for the poor performance of ventilation equipment may be an insufficient amount of freon (coolant), as a result of which the compressor is under strong pressure and the productivity of the air conditioning system is sharply reduced. Full maintenance of split systems should be carried out at least three times a year.

During operation, the owner needs to pay attention to the correct operation of the device. If the device does not cool (heat) the room well, then it's time to clean or check it;
Checking the split system is also necessary if warm air comes out of the device during operation, or there are signs of freezing of the radiator of the indoor unit

The need for service is also evidenced by an unpleasant odor emanating from the device during its operation;
To prevent malfunctions in the air conditioning system, you must maintain the recommended temperature. It is worth noting that most air conditioners cannot function properly at too low temperatures. Remember that ventilation equipment fails faster if it works at maximum mode;
It is imperative to regularly clean the filter of the indoor unit. Thanks to this element, the fan heatsink is reliably protected from dust. If the operation of air conditioning equipment is carried out in dusty rooms, then experts recommend installing gaskets in the indoor unit that provide high-quality filtration;
To effectively clean the filter, it is necessary to rinse it under a small stream of warm water.Masters recommend this procedure regularly;

If the device has been used incorrectly, fluid may leak from the drainage system. Improper use often leads to a deterioration in heat transfer and the appearance of frost on its surface. For this reason, it is necessary to constantly ensure that the operation of the air conditioner is carried out only with a filter;
A preventive check of the air conditioner is carried out twice a year, in a specialized service department. It includes full service of internal and external blocks of the device.

Note that full maintenance of the split system is possible only in a special service center. The owner of the air conditioner can only wash and clean some parts and structures of the ventilation device.

Prevention period

The frequency of cleaning the device depends on its purpose. For example, the filter elements of air conditioners for home use are recommended to be cleaned every six months. If we are talking about office equipment, the frequency of work is once every three months.

If the split system is installed in a cafeteria, retail space or other public facilities, cleaning is carried out once a month.

The need for prevention is easy to determine by the smell that appears after turning on the equipment. An unpleasant "aroma" indicates the appearance of bacteria inside and the need to remove them.

Masters note that in the process of maintenance, mucus and various fungi are often found inside.

That is why it is so important not to delay the repair and call the master to carry out the work.

The outdoor unit of the split system also needs proper care!

The main nuances of cleaning the external unit:

You can still clean this element of the air conditioner with the same vacuum cleaner, but it should be understood that it must be with sufficient power so that dust from all parts is pulled together as efficiently as possible

If the cleaning equipment used does not have such characteristics, then it is better not to be lazy and perform manual cleaning and washing.
If the outdoor unit is located high enough, then you should very carefully unscrew the protection grill and gently wipe the inside of the air conditioner. In this case, one vacuum cleaner will not be enough.
Also clean the outer split system unit you can also use soapy water and a soft sponge

In this case, you will need to follow the safety rules: before starting cleaning, the device must be de-energized without fail, and it will be possible to turn it on only 30 minutes after the end of the entire procedure.

Refueling the air conditioning system

Owners of air conditioners can independently perform another type of work related to the maintenance of such devices - charging refrigerant. To perform the procedure, you will need a little experience, a refrigerant cylinder, a vacuum pump.

Refueling of the air conditioner is carried out after purging the ventilation system with nitrogen (this allows the structure to be dried). With the initial correct installation of the device, the refrigerant will be located in the external unit, and in this case, purge can be carried out not with nitrogen, but with freon itself.

All air and moisture is removed from the system using a vacuum pump. After that, check all the functional elements of the air conditioner for leaks.Next, the system is charged with refrigerant, which must have the highest safety. Immediately after refueling, the air conditioner is turned on and checked. The absence of frost on taps and parts indicates that refueling has been carried out correctly and the air conditioner is functioning normally.

Often, owners of modern split systems are interested in how often to service the air conditioner? It all depends on the intensity of use of the device. Filters and other elements of the indoor unit should be cleaned at least once every two weeks, and the outdoor unit can be cleaned 1-2 times a year.

Service maintenance of a cassette split system 30 BTU (8.8-10.4 kW.)

• Elimination of minor malfunctions that do not require disassembly of equipment
• Cleaning the outdoor unit condenser
• Cleaning the evaporator of the indoor unit
• Filter cleaning, disinfection
• Cleaning and disinfection of the drainage system
• Checking the condition of the compressor under load (the presence of extraneous noise, vibration, temperature.)
• Monitoring the operation of the outdoor unit fan motor, if necessary, cleaning and balancing the impeller
• Monitoring the condition of electrical circuits, checking connections, if necessary, cleaning and broaching
• Check the tightness of the refrigeration circuit, top up if necessary. (The cost of works includes refilling with refrigerant up to 300 gr.)
• Checking the operation of the remote control
• Control measurements of temperature at the outlet of the indoor unit
• Testing the operation of the system as a whole, in all modes
• Show full list

Service and Warranty

Users are often confused about terminology related to troubleshooting and preventive maintenance of air conditioners.To avoid this, the following concepts should be clearly defined:

• what is included in the maintenance of air conditioners: control over the main parameters of the system's performance, carried out at regular intervals, refrigerant charging;
• what is included in the warranty repair: elimination of defects and various malfunctions that arose due to the fault of the manufacturer or the installer.

Periodic control is usually carried out by an official service center for servicing air conditioners. The organization must be authorized by the manufacturer. It may be the responsibility of the user to carry out such periodic maintenance. So, the warranty for Mitsubishi Electric equipment is valid only when passing the service. This must be done within two years of purchase. This once again confirms that the price of service maintenance of air conditioners is quite justified. Typically, these costs are less than the cost of paid repairs.

Preparation for the procedure

Before you start cleaning the indoor unit, you must perform the following steps:

• All work must be carried out in a protective mask (respirator) and gloves. Such measures are needed to prevent harmful pathogens from entering the human lungs, as well as to protect the skin.
• You need to start work with the main step - disconnect the device from the network. Many people forget that such a simple action is designed to protect the master from accidental electric shock.
• Before disassembling the air conditioner, it is recommended to protect the place of work with plastic wrap. During the cleaning process, a lot of dust and dirt will fall from the units, in which a huge number of microbes accumulate. After completing the work, the film can be rolled up and thrown into the trash.

How to avoid equipment breakdowns?

Climate control equipment is a complex piece of equipment that needs regular technical maintenance.

To avoid frequent breakdowns, you need to follow the basic rules for operating split systems:

1. Clean filters regularly.
2. Do not turn on the heating mode when the outside air temperature is lower than specified by the manufacturer.
3. Once a year, check the freon pressure in the system and, if necessary, fill it.
4. Once a year, carry out a complete cleaning of the two units of the system. For industrial premises, cleaning should be carried out at least twice a year.

If it is not possible to carry out comprehensive maintenance of equipment, then you need to independently clean the heat exchanger, which is located in the indoor unit, at least once a year.

To get acquainted with the features of independent maintenance of split systems, please follow this link.

Also, an important aspect that affects the duration of the trouble-free operation of climate equipment is its installation. Installation should only be carried out by specialists. If the installation has been done incorrectly, it may cause unacceptable vibrations and mechanical damage.

Articles

• Subtleties of installation of air conditioners (split systems)
• How air conditioner works
• Full maintenance
• Air conditioner drain pump problems
• Problems with the drainage system of the air conditioner
• Freon (refrigerant) leaks in air conditioners
• Damage to the freon line of the air conditioner
• Dirty heat exchanger of the external unit of the split system (condenser)
• Dirty heat exchanger of the indoor unit of the split system (evaporator)
• Dirty fan of the indoor unit of the split system (turbine)
• Malfunctions of switching and control boards of the air conditioner
• Cleaning mobile air conditioners
• Cleaning window air conditioners
• Cleaning cassette air conditioners
• Cleaning of channel conditioners
• Cleaning floor and ceiling air conditioners

Split system maintenance - basic recommendations

Using practical recommendations, each owner of a ventilation device will know how to service the air conditioner himself?

Regular maintenance of air conditioners consists in cleaning the ventilation structures in the external and internal blocks of the device.

The internal and external blocks of the device work on the principle of a vacuum cleaner, a huge amount of dirty air passes through them. After some time, the dust that has settled on the filters and drainage completely clogs them, which leads to malfunctions in the split system. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly clean each unit of the ventilation system.

The reason for the poor performance of ventilation equipment may be an insufficient amount of freon (coolant), as a result of which the compressor is under strong pressure and the productivity of the air conditioning system is sharply reduced. Full maintenance of split systems should be carried out at least three times a year.

During operation, the owner needs to pay attention to the correct operation of the device. If the device does not cool (heat) the room well, then it's time to clean or check it;
Checking the split system is also necessary if warm air comes out of the device during operation, or there are signs of freezing of the radiator of the indoor unit

The need for service is also evidenced by an unpleasant odor emanating from the device during its operation;
To prevent malfunctions in the air conditioning system, you must maintain the recommended temperature. It is worth noting that most air conditioners cannot function properly at too low temperatures. Remember that ventilation equipment fails faster if it works at maximum mode;
It is imperative to regularly clean the filter of the indoor unit. Thanks to this element, the fan heatsink is reliably protected from dust. If the operation of air conditioning equipment is carried out in dusty rooms, then experts recommend installing gaskets in the indoor unit that provide high-quality filtration;
To effectively clean the filter, it is necessary to rinse it under a small stream of warm water. Masters recommend this procedure regularly;
If the device has been used incorrectly, fluid may leak from the drainage system. Improper use often leads to a deterioration in heat transfer and the appearance of frost on its surface. For this reason, it is necessary to constantly ensure that the operation of the air conditioner is carried out only with a filter;
A preventive check of the air conditioner is carried out twice a year, in a specialized service department. It includes full service of internal and external blocks of the device.

Note that full maintenance of the split system is possible only in a special service center. The owner of the air conditioner can only wash and clean some parts and structures of the ventilation device.

Service maintenance of channel split system 12 BTU (3.0-4.9 kW.)

• Elimination of minor malfunctions that do not require disassembly of equipment
• Cleaning the outdoor unit condenser
• Cleaning the evaporator of the indoor unit
• Filter cleaning, disinfection
• Cleaning and disinfection of the drainage system
• Checking the condition of the compressor under load (the presence of extraneous noise, vibration, temperature.)
• Check the tightness of the refrigeration circuit, top up if necessary. (The cost of works includes refilling with refrigerant up to 300 gr.)
• Monitoring the operation of the outdoor unit fan motor, if necessary, cleaning and balancing the impeller
• Monitoring the condition of electrical circuits, checking connections, if necessary, cleaning and broaching
• Checking the operation of the remote control
• Control measurements of temperature at the outlet of the indoor unit
• Testing the operation of the system as a whole, in all modes
• Show full list

Service maintenance of channel split system 7-9 BTU (2.0-2.9 kW.)

• Elimination of minor malfunctions that do not require disassembly of equipment
• Cleaning the outdoor unit condenser
• Cleaning the evaporator of the indoor unit
• Filter cleaning, disinfection
• Cleaning and disinfection of the drainage system
• Checking the condition of the compressor under load (the presence of extraneous noise, vibration, temperature.)
• Check the tightness of the refrigeration circuit, top up if necessary. (The cost of works includes refilling with refrigerant up to 300 gr.)
• Monitoring the operation of the outdoor unit fan motor, if necessary, cleaning and balancing the impeller
• Monitoring the condition of electrical circuits, checking connections, if necessary, cleaning and broaching
• Checking the operation of the remote control
• Control measurements of temperature at the outlet of the indoor unit
• Testing the operation of the system as a whole, in all modes
• Show full list

How to clean the outdoor unit of a split system?

Maintenance of ventilation systems includes the procedure for cleaning the external ventilation unit. Under the condition of intensive use of the device, cleaning of the outer part of the housing should be carried out at least 1-2 times a year. Cleaning of the external ventilation unit is carried out using a high power vacuum cleaner. If the air conditioner is located at a low height, you can unscrew the housing cover yourself, vacuum it and wipe it with a damp, clean cloth. A few minutes before cleaning, the air conditioner must be disconnected from the power supply. You can turn on the device in the network after cleaning no earlier than half an hour.

What are the steps in air conditioner maintenance?

A complete maintenance of air conditioning systems consists of several successive stages. Let's talk about what is included in the maintenance of the air conditioner.

• Cleaning filters and external decorative panel;
• Cleaning the heat exchanger;
• Cleaning the drainage system, checking the efficiency of the drainage;
• Checking the balancing of the impeller of the air conditioning system;
• Fan cleaning;
• Careful check of the correct functioning of the operating modes of the air conditioner;
• Control over the operation of the evaporator;
• Cleaning of condenser fins, air intake grille;
• Checking the ventilation bearings;
• Cleaning the ventilation blades;
• Body cleaning;
• Refilling with refrigerant (if necessary);
• Diagnosis of defects in the air conditioning system.

Diagnostics and refueling

Before cleaning the split system, the master will turn it on to see if the indoor unit is working? does the compressor start? is the fan spinning? This is an initial inspection, because, you see, it would be foolish to clean out the air conditioner, which, due to its malfunction, should be written off ...
When all the dirt is removed and cannot affect the thermodynamics, it is time for instrumental diagnostics. To do this, use a thermometer, a manometric station and a tester with a current measurement function. drop air temperature on heat exchanger inlet and outlet will show the cooling efficiency. Low current and pressure indicate a lack of freon, increased current indicates compressor wear.
The master will see if there is any freezing, and, if necessary, add freon to the system. Refueling is included in the cost of service, but it should be borne in mind that if there is no freon at all, it is necessary to find the leak and fix it. This work is not included in preventive maintenance and is a repair, therefore it is paid separately. If the freon leak is insignificant, within the limits of natural loss, a simple refueling will be enough. You won't have to pay for it separately.

Features of air conditioning maintenance: filter cleaning

Cleaning the air conditioner always starts with washing the air filters.These elements are designed to trap dirty particles from the air and prevent them from entering the home. Experts recommend cleaning the filters of ventilation equipment at least once a week.

In fact, this requirement varies depending on how often the device is used. To clean the filters, a vacuum cleaner is most often used, but if it is very dirty, it is allowed to wash them with a stream of warm water. During cleaning, the filter must not be rubbed strongly - it may break.

Do not use any chemicals to clean the air filters.

Split system design

Before you learn how to maintain, repair and refuel climate equipment, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of its design.

A split system is a fairly complex piece of equipment. It is divided into two main elements:

• outdoor unit;
• indoor block.

The body of each of the blocks contains certain nodes. The external part of the split system contains a fan, a condenser, a compressor, a four-way valve, filters and a piping system. Internal - fan, evaporator and air filter. Freon circulates between the blocks.

As a rule, there are no problems with new split systems. But, if they are not serviced after the first season, then malfunctions will not keep you waiting.

It moves through the pipeline system. During the operation of equipment, it happens in two physical states: liquid and gaseous. For each of the states of freon, a specific pipeline is intended. They differ in internal and external diameter.

If the operation of at least one element of the system is disrupted, this leads to tangible malfunctions of the equipment.To avoid significant breakdowns, owners of such equipment are advised to service it at least once a year.

If the equipment is located on an industrial site, then the minimum number of routine inspections should be twice a year.

It is worth noting that the brands of freon that currently exist are absolutely safe for humans. Except for R22 refrigerant. It is no longer used in modern technology.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

We recommend that you find out the comment of the indoor unit cleaning specialist from the following video:

Self-repair of climate control equipment is quite real. The main thing is that it does not harm health and does not damage the equipment even more.

If you have the skills, experience and tools, then you can fix most of the existing breakdowns. But in case of complex malfunctions, it is recommended to contact specialized specialists.

Do you have a problem with the split system, but you can't figure out the cause of it? Ask your questions to our experts and other site visitors - we will try to help you figure out the cause of the malfunction.

If you want to supplement the above list of faults or add recommendations for their elimination, please write this information in the comments block.