To ensure that various equipment can safely perform the functions assigned to it, it is necessary to monitor its condition. And how to achieve this? Only by regular maintenance. Air conditioning systems are no exception to this rule. How does this process take place?
General information
To ensure reliable operation of ACS (air conditioning systems) you need:
- carry out maintenance and scheduled repairs by qualified personnel;
- periodically test and, if necessary, adjust for a sanitary and hygienic effect;
- carry out periodic monitoring of the state of the air environment in the serviced premises.
It is desirable that installation, maintenance and repair be carried out by persons who have an official license. Although this is not always possible. In addition, the availability of the necessary document is not always a guarantee of high professionalism of employees. To correct the situation, an instruction is being developedmaintenance of air conditioning systems. It can be used by any skilled person. After all, working with air conditioners does not require licensing, since there is no need to carry out alterations, reconstruction and major repairs.
Though not everything is so simple. After all, installation and repair are subject to licensing, since the installation or removal of any machines leads to changes in the architecture of the premises. The necessary documents should be obtained from the Gosstroy of the Russian Federation on a personal request. Although quite often one can meet with complaints that this is more of a bureaucratic measure than one for which there is a real need.
Time regulations
Any action according to existing instructions must be completed within a limited time. Regulations are drawn up by manufacturers, taking into account recommendations in relation to a particular technique. On average, if normal operating conditions are observed, then you have to spend:
- Visual inspection of the existing device for mechanical damage - 5 min.
- Check power supply - 3 min.
- Checking system indications and operating modes - 5 min.
- Comparison of temperature parameters and the norm written in the device passport - 5 min.
- Checking the performance of the drainage system - 7 min.
- Search for freon leaks - 5 min.
- Cleaning heat exchangers, fans, external panels of system units and mechanical filters - 40 min.
As you can see, the standardmaintenance of ventilation and air conditioning systems lasts about an hour. The increase or decrease in time depends on what the customer wants to do, as well as on the system used. It should be noted that not the entire list of works is presented in the regulations. This means that the established norms can vary greatly.
What is VRF air conditioning service?
In addition to the above, it is also necessary to carry out:
- Diagnosis of operating currents of electric motors;
- Checking the he alth of fans and compressors;
- Inspection of anti-vibration mounts;
- Checking the tightness of thermal insulation.
When maintenance of ventilation and air conditioning systems is carried out and malfunctions are detected, but it is necessary to carry out repair and restoration work. Some of them can be done on the spot. For other cases, the device is dismantled and taken to a specialized service center.
How much does it all cost?
The answer to this question directly depends on the amount of work and the frequency of their implementation. For example, you can provide annual, seasonal, quarterly, or monthly maintenance. What is worth paying attention to? If we are talking about household air conditioners used in spring and summer, then annual maintenance is best for them. But if the system is used for twelve months to ensure the desired climate, then it is better to check twice a year. When is the speechcomes to (semi) industrial installations, the best solution is to contract with a specialized company to carry out quarterly/monthly maintenance.
What will affect the final price and frequency? Maintenance and repair of the air conditioning system in terms of cost depends on the location, the heat load received, the location of the device. So, if we are talking about a crowded office with a large number of computers and office equipment that are located near a busy highway, then it is best to bet on service once every three months. But for the technical premises of service, manufacturing enterprises, warehouses and other similar facilities, regular cleaning and checking the correctness of the parameters should be carried out once a month.
If a repair and maintenance contract is concluded, then it must be remembered that if a certain unit fails, there is a right to demand free repairs. You only need to pay for consumables and spare parts. And in the end, the power of the equipment and its purpose does not affect the final price. So, semi-industrial devices cost twice as much as household models. And an increase in power by 5 kW contributes to an increase in the initial amount by a third. In addition, it must be borne in mind that the work of industrial climbers is paid separately.
Scheduled and capital works
Best of all, if the malfunction is not allowed. The following planned works help with this:
- Diagnosis.
- Preventive work.
- Troubleshooting and adjusting the device.
- Emergency repair.
- Consulting support.
But this is not always enough. If there are significant problems in the system, such as the failure of individual units and components, then there is a need for capital intervention. In this case, it implies the preliminary dismantling of ventilation and its subsequent shipment to a specialized workshop or manufacturer. It is there that the operability of the system is restored and the technical components are changed, the repair of which is not possible. It is possible to dismantle not the entire device, but only individual components and assemblies with their subsequent shipment.
What is the repair and restoration work?
Installation and maintenance of air conditioning systems are not limited to just one inspection of the functionality of the equipment. When a certain malfunction is detected, the device needs to be repaired. There is also a time limit here. The list of possible repair and restoration services is truly huge. Its reduction in full can stretch for the entire article. But you can’t ignore:
- Replacing the capacitor - 150 min.
- Compressor replacement in the presence of electrical or mechanical damage - 250 min.
- Indoor unit fan impeller replacement - 120 min.
- Replacing the outdoor unit fan motor - 120min.
- Four way valve replacement - 100 min
- Drainage piping repair - 15 mins
- Temperature sensor replacement - 30 min.
- Rerolling - 10 min.
The list is far from complete. Service maintenance of air conditioning systems includes over a hundred different items. And in most cases, it is necessary to take into account the power of the device.
What equipment is used in the work?
Prevention and repair require the availability and use of special materials and devices. In a standard situation, maintenance of air conditioning systems involves the use of:
- Manometers.
- Steam generator.
- High pressure washers.
- Scales and Freon bottle.
- Clamp meter.
- Swedish key.
- Rag.
- Chemical solution for indoor unit evaporator treatment.
Also, depending on the identified malfunctions, other tools can be used:
- To replace the board, you will need a multimeter and a screwdriver that measure current resistance and voltage.
- If the fan motor is faulty, then a key and a test capacitor are additionally needed.
- In case of problems with compressors, you will need a clamp meter, pressure gauge, freon, vacuum pump, burner, solder, pipe cutter, nitrogen.
When work is in progress - maintenance of air conditioning systems andventilation, it is clear that professional equipment cannot be replaced with improvised means. It is advisable to entrust it to specialists who have an electrical safety group of at least the third. It should also be remembered that all activities must be carried out in accordance with the operational and technical documentation. Now let's pay attention to the process itself.
Working with home air conditioners
In order to have fewer problems, you need to provide quality early care. With some basic knowledge, this can be done with your own hands using brains and instructions.
First of all, attention should be paid to cleaning the filters. They act as a barrier that captures the smallest particles of dirt and dust that are in the air. This type of cleaning is considered the most important, so it is considered as the main one. It needs to be done frequently. Preferably several times a week. For example - when cleaning the entire home. Although the exact number can vary greatly depending on a number of factors.
The most important among them is the intensity of use of the device. As a rule, cleaning is carried out using a vacuum cleaner, cloths or rinsing (in case of excessive contamination). But at the same time, safety requirements must be observed. First of all, you should abandon the use of various detergents, in particular, and household chemicals in general. This is due to the fact that their use can be detrimental.influence on the filter and the indoor unit of the air conditioner. In addition, the air that will be supplied to the room can be polluted with various chemicals. Secondly, rough rubbing of the filters often leads to their breakage. And this turns into additional expenses.
Finally, it is worth noting that improper and untimely service, due to which the air conditioner fails, will void the warranty.
What other things to consider?
Different models have a different location of the heat exchanger (which is the most common radiator and requires regular maintenance). In some devices, it can be found under the opening cover. In others, access to the heat exchanger will only be possible by passing through the air filter (for example, in dual air purification systems). If it is very dirty, you can use a vacuum cleaner, which is quite capable of dealing with a small blockage.
Although if heavy use has resulted in significant dust build-up, you should know that the best HVAC maintenance would be left to professionals who can steam clean. Also, for the efficient operation of the device, one should not forget about cleaning the air conditioning unit. For this, the same vacuum cleaner is used. If it has enough power, it will help to suck up a huge layer of dirt and dust from the radiator and external filters.
Use of information provided
You can clean air conditioners yourself. Certainly not a factthat in this case a professional level of specialized services will be achieved, but, nevertheless, this will keep it in working condition. To carry out all the required operations, turn off the power to the system and turn it on only after half an hour after the service has been completed.
Certain difficulties arise when the outdoor unit is placed at a high altitude. In such cases, one cannot do without the help of competent specialists with a tower and climbing equipment. If a decision is made to act independently, then it must be remembered that caution and accuracy are the key to long-term operation of equipment. As well as the he alth and even the safety of the life of the person himself.
Conclusion
Here we have considered what constitutes the maintenance of air conditioning systems. There is more than one option for cleaning them - both on their own and with the involvement of professionals. Always remember that the best problem is the one that has been avoided. And prevention is best here. After all, paying for the services of specialists costs money, which, as you know, is not lying on the road.
In addition, it is also necessary to take into account the fact that even the most prompt response turns into a temporary suspension of the air conditioning system. And this means that activities will not have to be carried out in the best conditions or they will have to be stopped altogether (especially true for industrial installations).
