Maintenance > Care and Maintenance
Question:
What is the recommended Care and Maintenenace of a PTAC and how is it performed?
Answer:
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
In order to maintain proper performance of your packaged terminal air conditioner or heat pump, it is very important that the fan and outdoor coils, the blower wheel, blower scroll, electric heater, and all drain passages are thoroughly cleaned at least once per year. Carrier recommends that as a minimum, the cleaning should be conducted prior to the start of each heating season. The air inlet filter should be cleaned every month.
Depending on local conditions, more frequent cleaning of the unit may be required to ensure optimum performance and long operating life. Examples of these special conditions include areas where construction dust or heavy airborne dirt is found, or environments that promote the growth of fungus.
CAUTION
Some local conditions and environments can cause fungi to grow inside the air conditioner, especially on indoor blower section. Dried fungi, dirt and other foreign material are fire hazards. Be sure to clean unit according to the instructions that follow.
AIR INLET FILTER
AIR INLET FILTER should be cleaned once each month.
1. If front panel has not been removed, remove panel as shown in Figure 2. To remove filter, grasp two filter tabs and pull the filter forward (Figure 21).
2. Clean by vacuuming or washing. To reinstall the filter, fit it into the basepan, making sure the notch in the filter fits around the thermostat capillary. The filter media is plastic framed for additional support. Take care not to rip the media when cleaning. Additional filters are available in multi-packs.
3. Flex the filter, and fit it under the discharge deck.
FIGURE 2 - REMOVING FRONT PANEL
FIGURE 21 - REMOVING FILTER
OUTDOOR VENT FILTER
OUTDOOR VENT FILTER (Figure 22) should be cleaned in the same manner as the air inlet filter, but only once during a cooling or heating season. Remove chassis from sleeve to access vent filter. Dirty filters restrict airflow, which can reduce major component life.
FIGURE 22 - OUTDOOR VENT FILTER LOCATION (LEFT SIDE OF CHASSIS)
EXTERNAL PARTS include the polymer sleeve and grilles. The sleeve manufacturer recommends cleaning the surface, including the grilles, with household detergent and water.
EXTERNAL PARTS
EXTERNAL PARTS include the polymer sleeve and grilles. The sleeve manufacturer recommends cleaning the surface, including the grilles, with household detergent and water.
INTERNAL PARTS
INTERNAL PARTS should be cleaned at least once each year.
WARNING
Before cleaning, servicing, performing maintenance or removing the chassis from the sleeve, disconnect all power to the unit to avoid the possibility of electrical shock and personal injury.
DISCONNECT POWER TO UNIT:
CORD-CONNECTED UNITS
1. REMOTE CONTROL UNITS - Set switch on wall mounted thermostat to OFF.
ALL OTHER UNITS - Push OFF button on unit control panel.
2. Disconnect power at main power supply.
3. Unplug the unit service cord.
HARDWIRED UNITS
1. REMOTE CONTROL UNITS - Set switch on wall mounted thermostat to OFF.
ALL OTHER UNITS - Push OFF button on unit control panel.
2. Disconnect power at main power supply. Tag disconnect to ensure no one restores power to the unit. If front panel has not been removed, remove panel as shown in Figure 2. Remove access cover on side of unit chassis. Pull out plug assembly and disconnect (see Figure 23).
FIGURE 23 - DISCONNECTING PLUG ASSEMBLY ON HARDWIRED UNITS
DISASSEMBLE UNIT
TOOLS REQUIRED include: a low-pressure tank with wand and/or spray bottle, a coil cleaner (Calgon, Hydrobalance, etc.), a vacuum cleaner, percolator brush, standard spray bottle, rubber gloves, safety glasses, 5/16-in. nut driver, and a standard Phillips head screwdriver.
1. If front panel has not been removed, remove panel as shown in Figure 2.
2. Remove screws (two each side) fastening chassis to sleeve.
For units with lateral duct accessory - remove four screws fastening chassis to sleeve, and two screws on top of duct adapter. See Figure 24.
FIGURE 2 - REMOVING FRONT PANEL
FIGURE 24 - REMOVING CHASSIS WITH DUCT ADAPTER FROM SLEEVE
WARNING
Chassis weighs between 118 and 138 lbs. For personal protection, seek help when lifting the unit.
3. Slide out chassis. Lift by holding the unit basepan.
4. Remove aluminum top panel (one screw, each side). See Figure 25. On left-hand side, remove the screw closest to the partition.
5. Remove the air discharge grille (two screws). See Figure 26.
FIGURE 25 - ALUMINUM TOP PANEL
FIGURE 26 - REMOVING AIR DISCHARGE GRILLE
6. Remove the top cover (one screw). See Figure 27.
7. Remove the gusset (two screws inside the partition, one screw at condenser orifice). Push condenser orifice outward. Pull the gusset up and out of orifice. See Figure 28.
FIGURE 27 - TOP COVER SCREW
FIGURE 28 - REMOVING GUSSET
8. Unsnap the condenser orifice from the tube sheets.
9. Remove the stator by moving the condenser orifice toward the partition and by pulling the stator straight up. See Figure 29.
FIGURE 29 - REMOVING STATOR
10. Remove the air inlet filter (see removal instructions under AIR INLET FILTER).
11. Remove thermostat-sensing bulb from the indoor coil by pulling two bulb retaining clips out of the coil fins and carefully moving the bulb away from the face of the coil.
CLEANING DISASSEMBLED UNIT
1. Clean the indoor coil and stator side of the outdoor coil by washing or vacuuming.
CAUTION
Fins are sharp and can cut hands. Wear heavy gloves when cleaning coils. When using cleaning tools, be careful not to bend or damage coil fins.
2. Clean vent screen by washing or vacuuming.
Open vent door and pull screen out. See Figure 30.
FIGURE 30 - BASEPAN SECTION
3. Clean basepan, including drain passages and area inside the condenser orifice, by washing or vacuuming. See Figure 30.
4. To clean indoor blower wheel and scroll, insert a piece of 9.0 x 9.0-in. cardboard between the blower wheel and the opening in the blower scroll. This will also prevent fungus and other debris from falling into the coil.
5. Bend a soft, spiral wound, long bristle brush to conform to the inner curve of the blower wheel blades. See Figure 31.
FIGURE 31 - CLEANING INDOOR FAN AND FAN SCROLL
6. Insert the brush into every blower wheel blade and gently brush out dried material.
7. Clean the walls of the blower scroll by carefully brushing with the bristle brush. Vacuum loose debris that may have fallen into the bottom of the scroll during the cleaning process.
8. Use the spray bottle to spray the blower wheel blades and the inner surface of the blower scroll with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide to kill any fungus spores. Wipe up excess solution in the bottom of the blower scroll with a clean cloth. See Figure 32.
FIGURE 32 - SPRAYING BLOWER WHEEL BLADES
9. Clean the inside of the wall sleeve and rear grille by washing or vacuuming. Test wall sleeve drain holes and accessory drains (if used) for proper drainage. Pour water (approximately 2 quarts) into the sleeve. Water should drain freely.
REASSEMBLE UNIT
1. Reassemble components by reversing disassembly procedures described on page 15.
2. Reinstall unit into sleeve.
3. Turn on all power to the unit.
|
