Elite Upkeep - December 2024 Pro-Active Approach to Home Care - Air Conditioner -

Arguably the most cherished appliance in your Curacao home is the wall-mounted air conditioner. This isn’t something you want breaking down on a 35C/95F night and certainly not when you’re having guests. With the winds picking up and the temperature cooling, now is a great time to pay those air conditioners some attention.  

While it’s recommended that you have a professional service each unit every 6 months, there are measures you can take yourself in-between visits to ensure the unit’s operability, efficiency and performance. 

• The simplest task is the first - remove all visible dust, dirt and debris from around the unit (internal & external).  Open to the elements, external obstructions are common.  Make sure there are no bird nests or trapped debris in any of the air inlets impacting heat transfer and the unit’s ability to cool.  

• Internally, wipe down the horizontal louver and the air outlet.   

• Opening the cover of the inside unit will reveal what’s likely a very dirty air filter. Buildup reduces airflow and impacts efficiency.  Give the filter a quick vacuum and if necessary give it a rinse.  Let it dry fully before returning it.

You might be asking - what is it exactly that the professionals do when they service the unit?  Dave Firing of Firing Klimaattechniek  (https://www.facebook.com/Firing.klimaattechniek) offered this checklist of what their semi-annual service consists of and why it’s so important:

•  Complete internal & external unit cleaning.  

•  Filter vacuuming and wash

•  Cleaning of Blower Fan

•  Cleaning of the very delicate condenser coils and coil fins

•  Full examination of condenser 

•  Checking of refrigerant levels 

•  Inspection of electrical connections 

•  Thorough cleaning of the water catch basin and condensate drain pipe

If you take care of your air conditioner, it will thank you with comfort and performance along with efficiency and high air quality. A well-maintained unit will also keep those energy bills in check. 

The absence of care on the other hand will result in an uptick in your energy bill as it will have to work harder to produce cold air. Furthermore, you’ll see a reduction in air quality, a potential build-up of moisture that could result in mold & mildew growth, clogs that will lead to the unit dripping/leaking inside the home, an overall reduction in performance and the need to reduce temperature that contributes to wear & tear, overheating, and potential breakdown, malfunction and ultimately the need for replacement. 

This is an appliance you want to pay attention to!