Air conditioning repair and maintenance

The split air conditioner is one of the most used devices in the air conditioning of homes and offices, since it is silent, consumes less energy and does not cost too much money. However, like any other device, it can present different types of faults that cause a malfunction.

To repair a split air conditioner, it is first necessary to understand how it works. The Anglo-Saxon adjective split means divided in Castilian, therefore it is a device made up of two units; an internal one, which is installed inside the house and an external one, which is outside the house. However, both devices are connected to each other by copper pipes through which the refrigerant gas circulates, as well as an electrical interconnection that allows control of the external unit from the internal unit. In this sense, we must know that failures that occur in one of these parts can affect the other. Let’s look at some of the most common air conditioning failures. 

1. The air conditioner takes a long time to cool down

It is one of the symptoms that something is not working well, however, it is among the common air conditioning faults and the good thing is that it is usually easy to solve. This is usually because the air filters are clogged with dirt, so it is necessary to open the lid and remove the filters to wash them with soapy tap water. Then, you have to let them dry and take them back to their place. To prevent this problem, it is recommended to do maintenance 1 or 2 times a year.

2. The indoor unit expels water

If the indoor unit emits drops, it may be precisely because there is no water coming out of the air conditioner in the outdoor unit, which is normal operation. In this sense, it is possible that the drain hose is clogged due to the accumulation of dirt , therefore the water that should go outside returns inside.

To solve this problem, it is necessary to disconnect the air conditioner from the electrical current and remove the front part to access the pipe. In this way, it is possible to spray clean water with a drip bottle, and then try to remove the dirt with a brush or brush. Finally, more water must be sprayed until it flows correctly to the outside, which means that the fault is resolved. 

3. The turbine does not work

This is a more complex breakdown, which in many cases requires the intervention of specialized technical personnel. However, to give you an idea of ​​the procedure, if the air conditioning turbine is not working, you have to check the bushings, the coil and the bearings, in order to determine the fault and change the parts if necessary, since It’s about the fan motor of the split  air conditioner.

4. Gas leak in the air conditioner

At this point it is important to note that an air conditioner should not need gas refilling, so there must be a leak. In this sense, to fix the air conditioning it is necessary to determine where it is leaking. This fault is usually solved by calling the technical service to put more gas, however, within a period of time the problem reappears, because the leak has not been repaired. In some cases it is preferable to change the copper pipes and fittings to ensure no gas leaks remain . 

5. Air does not come out of the turbine of the indoor unit

If everything seems fine but no air is coming out of the turbine, then this part needs service. In this sense, the indoor unit must be disassembled to access some small fins that the turbine has, since grease and dirt usually accumulate there. To remove the obstruction it is necessary to clean with a brush or a disused toothbrush. Of course, it is important to do this cleaning carefully, since this is a delicate piece that can be easily broken.

6. Compressor does not start

If you have verified that the device does not have any problem with the naked eye, but even so the compressor does not start, this means that the fault is electrical. Some regions of Europe have electricity restrictions due to high demand at certain times of the year, so it’s worth checking with your power company. Also, it is good to ask the neighbors to find out if it is a fault in the area where you live. Either way, it is quite possible that there is no need to perform any maintenance or repairs on the air conditioner. 

Air conditioning: When is it essential to call the technical service? 

If the air conditioning does not turn on, it is better not to venture to do a repair at home, since the reasons can be very diverse and we run the risk of making the fault worse. In this case, the repair of the air conditioning must be the result of a thorough review and a complete diagnosis . 

Another reason to call an expert is if there is a short circuit in the home that affects the air conditioner, or if the appliance itself has a serious electrical fault. Although this is very rare, it is worth mentioning that this device works with a considerable electrical voltage, so it can be dangerous if we touch any connection. If when you turn it on, the air conditioner does not work and smells burning, you must unplug it immediately and seek professional help. 

To conclude, it is important to mention that split air conditioners can present faults at different levels and each problem has a different solution, so it is good to dare to do minor maintenance, but you also have to know that we cannot always solve everything with our own hands. own hands.