Air conditioner service with indoor unit removal

All air conditioners must periodically be cleaned of the dust and debris that builds up during operation. While the user can’t see it, air conditioner components become significantly contaminated over time. When the air conditioner isn’t cleaned, its condition declines and load on the compressor increases, which reduces its working efficiency. Over time, there is a real risk that the air conditioner will break down.

Air conditioner cleaning is performed by specialized companies whose specialists perform a range of maintenance services. If contamination is minimal and elaborate cleaning isn’t needed, disassembly of the indoor unit may not be required. But, what if dust and mildew buildup is significant enough to substantially affect the air conditioner system’s function? In this case, the indoor unit must be removed and disassembled.

In order to remove the indoor unit for maintenance, the refrigerant (freon) must be extracted from the system lines and evaporator. Then, the indoor unit is disconnected from the refrigeration and electrical lines and completely removed from its place of installation.

In the next step, the air conditioner is disassembled, the electrical components, including the control panel, detached, and air and zone dampers and electronic impeller removed. All the components, with the exception of the electronic ones, are cleaned and flushed using a special cleaning solution.

After all the parts have dried completely, the air conditioner must be reassembled and reinstalled. After the indoor unit evaporator is connected to the refrigeration lines, all the moisture is extracted using a vacuum pump. If this is not done, the moisture contained in the air in the lines will chemically react with freon and oil to form acids, which, in short order, will cause irreparable damage to the compressor and lead to breakdown.

After vacuum pumping and restarting the air conditioner, the operating parameters, including freon boiling temperature and pressure and load in the electrical network, are checked. If required, the air conditioner can be replenished with freon or completely recharged by first extracting the freon from the compressor.

While performing this task, technicians should be attentive and avoid making mistakes, especially when disassembling and reassembling the indoor unit. Experience shows that models from major brands easily tolerate these procedures being performed, even multiple times. However, cheaper Chinese-made air conditioners are not designed to be disassembled and reassembled often.

But it’s best never to reach the point where radical measures such as indoor unit removal are needed. Specialists recommend performing maintenance according to an established schedule and employing EPA-certified specialists with a high level of training. In addition to ensuring your air conditioner remains in good condition and functions effectively, this kind of responsible approach will also save you a lot of money, time, and stress.