Air conditioning is a very useful device. Thanks to him, car trips, especially over long distances, become more comfortable and convenient. Home devices create comfort in hot and hot days. But like any other device, they require regular maintenance and repair. Periodically cleaning and refueling the air conditioner is necessary. This service is provided in specialized services. But if you have certain knowledge and skills, all these procedures can be quickly performed by yourself.
Causes of odors from the air conditioner
The fact that the element needs cleaning can be reported by a characteristic odor from the air ducts. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. Most often, the air conditioner smells due to the formation of bacteria and mold on the evaporator. When the device cools the air, dust and dirt with the air settles on the evaporator, which is located in the heater block. Condensation also forms in the ducts. In addition to air ducts, condensation also appears on the evaporator itself, as well as inside it. Dampness is an excellent medium for the spread of various microorganisms, which are sources of odor.
Methods and types of cleaning work
The process of cleaning the air conditioner can be chemical or mechanical.
The simplest chemical treatment involves the use of cleansing aerosol or foam preparations. It must be borne in mind that the former are suitable only for disinfection. Cleaning itself should only be carried out using foam formulations. Mechanical processing is used in cases where work with the help of chemicals did not bring the expected result. The mechanical method is much more complicated. It involves dismantling the evaporator. Also, if necessary, it is possible to refuel the air conditioner, since it has been disassembled.
Chemical treatment and necessary preparations
There is a huge mass of manufacturers whose means can defeat colonies of bacteria and mold in climate systems and remove odors. Most often these are aerosols for disinfection or foam for cleaning air conditioners with a tube of a certain length.
When drugs are purchased, a cleansing process can be carried out. Processing the climate system from bacteria is as follows. If this is a car, the first thing they do is start the engine, then turn on the air conditioner and start the air recirculation mode at its full power. An aerosol can is installed near the passenger seat in front, where the air intake pipe is located. It remains only to start spraying the drug. All windows as well as doors must be closed. You also need to wait a certain time. Typically, the waiting time is indicated on the package.
Then the air conditioner is turned off, and the salon or room is thoroughly ventilated. In the case of foam, it is necessary to remove the cabin filter. In some car models, it is located just above the stove. Next, a sealing tube is put on the foam spray can. This is to prevent foam from entering the evaporator. Then with this composition it is necessary to fill all the ducts. In addition, the foam can be introduced through the drainage holes. Then, after the time specified in the instructions, they start the air conditioner and let it work for about 10 minutes in various modes. After this, thoroughly ventilate the cabin or room.
Mechanical cleaning
This procedure will require certain tools and materials. In the process, bleed the refrigerant and refuel the air conditioner of the car, each pipe and all washers are cleaned. The first step is to dismantle the dashboard to get to the evaporator. Then the refrigerant is pumped out of the system. Sometimes you have to remove the stove to get to the pipes of the evaporator of the air conditioner. Then, each sensor is disconnected, as well as the pipe going to the radiator on the heat exchanger, and this radiator is carefully removed. The element itself should be thoroughly washed with soapy water. Then it remains only to collect everything that has been disassembled and replace the oil in the compressor. You may need to refuel the air conditioner.
Why refuel the device?
This question is often asked by ordinary people who are not familiar with the device of this technique.
And right, why, because the manufacturer has already refueled the unit? For new air conditioners, an additional charge is not needed, but with time the refrigerant leaves. The cause of leaks can be improper installation, various mechanical damage to pipes or tubes. This is true not only for
automotive air conditioners, but also for household split systems. Often, due to malfunctions that lead to overheating of the compressor, anti-vibration elements and pipes through which refrigerant flows can be destroyed. Details rub against each other. Often they are rubbed through, and then the special gas goes simply into the air.
Consequences of a Freon Leak
When the amount of refrigerant is reduced or it is completely exhausted, the difference between the external and internal air is no longer felt when the device is running. Without filler, the unit will not be able to cool the air. Refueling the air conditioner will help to solve the problem. But first, you should look for the cause of the leak. If this is not done, then after some time the refrigerant will leave again and the climate system will stop working.
Work with the 410th freon
Freon of the R410A brand consists of two components.
Its physical characteristics are different from other refrigerants. The differences are in boiling point. Therefore, refueling the air conditioner with Freon 410 has its own characteristics. Unlike components of the R22 brand, which can be used both in liquid and in gaseous form, R410 is only charged in the liquid state. This is a guarantee of the ratio of the two components in the mixture in a proportion of one to one. That is how the refrigerant will have the best performance.
Do-it-yourself
air conditioning is done as follows. First of all, a special gauge manifold is connected to the service port of the device. Further, the refrigerant is completely discharged from the circuit. Then the circuit is evacuated and held in this state for some time. After that, the device is charged by weight.
Freon-410 refueling
Refueling the air conditioner with Freon-410 is not recommended. Manufacturers of HVAC equipment advise, if necessary, to bleed all the refrigerant completely and then re-pump the new one into the system. However, there is much debate on this subject. Some HVAC service companies offer refueling to minimize repair costs.
It is produced if the leak does not exceed 20 percent. The average person does not know this. And it is determined by the pressure in the circuit and the environment. It follows that it is better to entrust the maintenance of air conditioners to professionals. Refueling the car air conditioner, if it has the 410th freon, should also be carried out with the complete withdrawal of the old freon.
Summary
Modern climate technology can be serviced independently. However, it must be borne in mind that not all issues can be solved with one's own hands. For example, it is possible to clean and refuel the air conditioner if it is charged with a suitable refrigerant. But more serious tasks should be performed only by professionals.