An air conditioner will help to create a sanctuary in your home even on scorching summer days, without which your place may feel like an oven. Here are some tips for both the installation and maintenance of a split-system unit.
Placement of Components: Indoor Unit
As the name implies, a split system unit consists of two parts: an indoor evaporator unit and an outdoor compressor. They're linked by refrigerant-filled coils that operate in a closed circuit. The indoor coils absorb heat, and the outdoor coils release it.
It's important where you place both the indoor and outdoor components during the installation. The inside unit will blow out the cool air. Because cool air naturally drops and hot air rises, try to avoid installing the unit in a low spot on the wall near ground level. If you do this, the cool air will hover around the flooring, but it won't cool the entire room.
You can force the room's air to circulate, however, if you do the opposite and put the air conditioner in a higher wall position. The cool air that's blown out will then sink, and the relatively warmer air will float upward, so your home will experience more consistent all-around temperatures. Of course, the possible wall placement will depend on the room layout.
Positioning of the Outdoor Component
It's also important where you position the outdoor compressor part of the system, though, for reasons other than room air circulation. A big fan blows over the hot coils that travel through the outdoor compressor. The fan blows the heat the coils are releasing into the yard. This fan can be noisy, so you'll want to install it where it won't cause a disturbance to you or your neighbours. Additionally, ensure that the unit has adequate airflow so that the heat can disperse.
Maintenance Tasks That Save Energy: Coils and Filters
Once you have your split system installed to your best advantage, you'll need to maintain it to keep it efficient. One particular element that requires care is the cold refrigerant-filled coils in the indoor evaporator unit. The system pulls air across these coils to cool it down before blowing it back into the room. Dusty coils, as you can imagine, won't cool the air as efficiently as clean ones, and you may respond by turning up the air conditioner to keep cool. Thus, cleaning these coils is a crucial routine maintenance task.
The indoor part of the air conditioning also has a filter that traps dust so it doesn't blow back into your house. Over time, the filter can become dirty and clogged, so the air struggles to pass through it. Such a blockage causes the air conditioner to be less efficient, and it may compel you to turn up the fan to make up for the restricted airflow. The result is a harder-working system with a similar cooling effect. Thus, it's important that the filter is regularly cleaned or replaced.
For more information, reach out to air conditioning services near you.
