Window AC Air Conditioner Maintenance diagnostic chart AMERICAN SERVICE DEPT.
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Is there anything I need to do to my window AC before I start it for the summer?
Yes, Check and make sure the condenser and evaporator coils are both clean. You can use a garden hose to wash them out. Unplug it and remove it from the window to do this. Also take special care not to get the switches and the fan motor wet. Be sure to let everything dry out before plugging it back in.
Also oiling the fan motor if it has oil ports is required. Note: not all fan motors have oil ports. Some are sealed from the factory and cannot be oiled.
How do I oil the fan?
Remove the oil port caps, some are plastic, some are metal. Apply a few drops of oil. The oil is a light weight turbine type oil.
Note: not all fan motors have oil ports. Some are sealed from the factory and cannot be oiled.
How do I check the compressor?
Using a ohm meter, and the compressor is cool to the touch, and the ac is unplugged, Disconnect the wiring to the compressor and mark where the wires went. Ohm out the terminals from common to start and common to run. You should have continuity across both.
Check from each terminal, (with the wires disconnected) to ground or a piece of tubing coming out of the compressor. You should have no continuity. If you have continuity to ground the compressor is shorted to ground and will require replacement.
How do I check the overload?
With it disconnected check it for continuity.
Check the house fuses or the house breaker.
Exhaust vent control set at "Open" position.
Init front is blocked by draperies, furniture, etc.
Outside louvers blocked by bricks, siding etc.
Blockage in drain - clean drain - remove unit from the window - disconnect power and wash out with garden hose - let dry thoroughly before re- applying power.
Water hitting condenser fan blade.
This is normal. Most window ac's have what they call a slinger ring . It's a ring that runs around the outer edge of the condenser fan blade and slings water up on the condenser coil to help it cool better.
You should not drill holes in the ac base. Most window ac's have what they call a slinger ring . It's a ring that runs around the outer edge of the condenser fan blade and slings water up on the condenser coil to help it cool better. If you drill holes in the bottom , then the a/c will not hold enough water to sling up on the coil.
How big of an AC do I need to cool my space?
We recommend 1 Ton, (12,000 BTU) for each 500 sq. ft in a normal house and 1 Ton, (12,000 BTU) for each 400 sq. ft in a manufactured home.
A sign of low on charge is part of the coil frosting or freezing up and the unit not cooling well.
What type of refrigerant do window AC's use?
Most units use R-22 Freon. Look on the model and serial tag to verify. It will usually show how much refrigerant it holds also. (in ounces).
The fins can be straighten using a fin comb. Minor flattening will not effect the unit operation, major fin damage will.
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