How to maintain Room ACs

A 10-step guide for consumers

Timely maintenance of your AC is essential for its well-functioning!
You can use the following schedule to time your AC servicing every year:

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10

Simple Steps

technicians need to follow while
servicing your AC.

Step #1

Measure current, voltage, and earthing
at the start of every service.

Step #2

Clean the AC filter with a vacuum cleaner
or wash it with water and let it dry.

Step #3

Clean the condenser coils using a metal
brush and a suction pump.

Step #4

For the outdoor unit of your AC, clean fan blades
and check for any damage. For very old ACs,
lubricate the fan motors/ bearings.

Step #5

After cleaning and drying the outdoor
unit, examine suction pipe insulation and
replace, if needed.

The suction line of a typical split AC is labelled
in the image below.

Image source: (Karhana 2017)

Step #6

Inspect refrigerant gas, lubricant, and oil levels.
Do a leak test to check for refrigerant gas
leakage points using a soap bubble test.

Step #7

Ensure that all 2-way and 3-way service
valves are properly capped.

Step #8

Check thermostat for proper functioning.

Step #9

Check all wiring and electrical connections.
Also, check the capacitors for proper
values of capacitance.

Step #10

At the end of the servicing, check for
proper values of current, voltage, and
earthing of the AC.

Sources: GIZ 2013; correspondence with Mr Sukhwinder Singh Sohel

All images, unless specified otherwise, have been compiled by Mr Sukhwinder Singh Sohel

Note:

This is a part of an ongoing study on servicing practices in Indian households. For any further information please email us at [email protected]

References

GIZ. 2013. Good Practices in Installation and Servicing of Room Air Conditioners - RAC Technicians Handbook. Germany: GIZ GmbH.

Karhana, Kanishk. 2017. "How Is AC Gas Filling Done? The Complete Guide". Ideas by Mr Right (blog). September 26. https://www.mrright.in/ideas/appliances/ac/how-is-ac-gas-filling-done/.