With summer in full swing in the northern hemisphere, it is time to prep your air conditioners for the seasons ahead.

If you enjoy personally taking care of your appliances, here are a few points that will help you clean your AC better.

1.  Parts Need Cleaning Too

People often focus on the filters and the external unit when cleaning an AC. While these are important, you also need to look at the internal components of the AC. Over time, as dust and dirt accumulate on them, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to generate cooling.

This causes your AC to work harder to move around the cool air and costs you more money.

2.  Winter Service

These days people use ACs for cooling and heating. This means the AC is running all year round and is facing twice the stress it previously would. Regular maintenance should be carried out at the start of each season to ensure your AC is in top condition.

3.  Refrigerant Check

Just making sure the filters, condensers, and coils are clean is not enough. You need to have a pressure gauge with you to check the level of refrigerant in the system. Even though the AC might not show any signs of a problem, it may still be operating below its capacity because it is low on gas. This not only harms the internal components but also increases the electricity consumption.

4.  Health Hazards

Pressure washers are great for getting dirt off, but they aren’t that effective when it comes to removing fungi, mold, and other microorganisms. This is where an aircon chemical overhaul can be useful. Every part of the AC is serviced using a special chemical that will remove rust, dirt, debris, and those pesky microorganisms. Bacteria in the AC system can cause serious respiratory problems.

5.    Precaution

Cleaning out an AC is a pretty straightforward task but it is still risky. These are high voltage appliances and they are quite heavy. One careless maneuver could have serious consequences. Ideally, you should let a qualified professional handle the AC repair and maintenance work. If you must do it yourself, make sure you have all your safety gear on and make sure there is at least one other person with you. In case something does go wrong, you will have someone to help you out.

6.  Electrical Check

Sometimes the AC is having problems but the issue is not with the unit itself. Rather, it is a problem with the wiring or the electrical system that is powering the AC. Whenever you undertake an AC repair job, make sure you check the power connections and the condition of the wiring before putting your hands on the AC. This can be a life-saving step in case there is a broken wire or there is a live current in the system.

AC servicing can be quite expensive so you can save a decent amount of money if you learn to do it yourself. If you do want to wash your own ACs then invest in some tools, a pressure washer, and the right chemicals. There is only so much that water and soap can do. If you want your AC to perform at its best for several decades to come, then using the right equipment and the appropriate cleaning liquids is key.