Pakistani summers push air conditioners to their limit. A few hours of pre-season maintenance in March or early April saves you from emergency repairs in May. Heres the checklist every homeowner and technician should follow.
1. Clean the filters
Dirty filters cut cooling capacity by 20% or more. Wash mesh filters with water and mild detergent. Replace HEPA filters annually.
2. Check capacitor health
Test the run capacitors microfarad value. Replace if more than 10% off-spec.
3. Coil cleaning
Use a coil cleaner spray on both indoor and outdoor coils. Outdoor coils especially collect dust and pollen.
4. Gas pressure
Connect manifold gauges. Suction pressure should read 60–70 psi for R22 systems, 110–125 psi for R410A. Low pressure means a leak.
5. Electricals
Inspect contactors for pitting, capacitor terminals for corrosion, and wire connections for burn marks.
6. Condensate drain
Pour a cup of water through the drain pan to verify it flows freely. Blockages cause water damage.
7. Test cooling
Measure the temperature drop across the indoor coil — should be 15–20°F lower than incoming air. Less than that indicates a charge or airflow problem.