You can visually check whether all the parameters of the air conditioner are observed. The correct operation of the outdoor and indoor units is primarily assessed by the installation standards.
How to check the quality of the air conditioner installation
Before checking the operation of the air conditioner, you must make sure that the outdoor unit is correctly installed. During operation, it vibrates all the time, so a strong and even wall is selected for fastening. The block is mounted by level. Leave 10 cm between the module and the wall, otherwise the unit may overheat in hot seasons. The brackets are attached with anchor bolts.
A visor is installed on top to protect it from precipitation and ice.
The drain pipe should be tilted so that condensation does not accumulate and pour out into the apartment. If it is planned to turn on the equipment in cold weather, the drainage must be heated to prevent ice plugs from forming.
External equipment is mounted relative to the internal one at a distance of no more than 3 meters. Each model has its own recommendations, so the masters check the instructions. The outdoor unit must be freely accessible so that it can be cleaned if necessary after the season of operation.
An important stage in checking the installation of the air conditioner: fastening the copper lines. It is strictly forbidden to cut the tubes with a hacksaw. Small chips can damage the compressor, therefore only special tools are used. Tubes are fastened with a roller, otherwise their performance is not guaranteed.
The front panel of the indoor unit must be open. Furniture or walls can be located at a distance of 2.5 meters, so as not to interfere with the movement of air masses.
Checking the air conditioner for leaks
At the end of the installation, the system is evacuated. Air and moisture are pumped out of the tubes, which will not come out on their own, then freon is pumped in. If you neglect this stage, malfunctions and even breakdown of the compressor - the most expensive component - can occur. Some masters suggest bleeding air and purging the system with freon. This method works on a number of models, but not all. Vacuuming is the best method to remove moisture and air residues from the lines.
It is better to check and clarify the actions of the assembly team during the work, because in the event of a breakdown it will be more difficult to prove the mistakes of the masters.
Before checking the operation of the air conditioner and the first start, you need to determine the height difference between the blocks. Look for manufacturer's recommendations in the purchase annotation.
How to check the performance of the air conditioner before the start of the season
Before the summer season, after a 6 - 7 month break, the air conditioner is checked. This must be done in the following order:
- open the front panel and inspect the filter - if it was not cleaned before winter, it is taken out, washed, then dried;
- assess the condition of internal parts; vacuum cleaning may be required;
- close the windows and doors in the air-conditioned room and turn on to the minimum temperature;
- after 10 minutes, check with a thermometer how much the room has cooled. The difference between outdoor temperature and room temperature must be at least 8 degrees.
If the parameters are normal, the cooling is working - you can start operating the device daily.
It happens that after winter the device does not work properly. First, they look for the problem in the internal equipment, then move on to the external one. To check the air conditioner with your own hands, you need tools, knowledge of the principles of operation of climatic technology and skills in working with split systems. In the absence of one of the conditions, it is better to call a master, who will determine the cause of the weakening of power and eliminate the breakdown.
Checking upon purchase
It is advisable to buy climate control equipment from a trusted company that has been operating in the market for these services for at least three years. The lack of a service center is a big minus, since in the event of a breakdown, you will have to look for masters, and they are busy serving their customers during the season.
Before buying, you should decide what functions the device should have in addition to cooling.
Store employees should ask about the area of the premises, the presence of household appliances that generate heat, the number of people, and the time the house was built.
You cannot check whether the device is working or not in the store. All possible nuances should be clarified before installation.
Checking the performance of a used air conditioner
Older models are sold in good condition if they are cared for regularly. But it so happens that a defective model was bought that works below the declared power or with failures that the masters could not fix.
To find out if the air conditioner is working, connect both units to each other. It is not necessary to hang them on the wall - it is enough to connect the copper pipes of the two units and connect the electrical wires. The operation of the device is evaluated according to the noise level of operation, the cooling time of the room, and the operation of all functions. It is better to entrust the verification procedure to a master who understands climatic technology and will give his opinion.
Check the air conditioner upon purchase according to the following parameters:
- electricity consumption;
- system pressure (gauge manifold);
- compressor temperature;
- current.
Verification tools are available in the specialist's arsenal. If you save on purchase, it is advisable not to save on checking.
