Few things can compare to the relief and comfort an air conditioner can provide on a hot day, but like most mechanical systems, air conditioning units need regular servicing and maintenance to ensure they’re operating in tip-top condition.
In this guide, we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about air conditioning maintenance so you can rest easy in cool comfort knowing your air conditioner is operating both safely and efficiently.
Regularly servicing and maintaining your air conditioning comes with a long list of benefits. Not only can it preserve the system warranty, but it also ensures the system is functioning properly and efficiently, working to cool your home or office effectively while keeping energy bills down.
Regular maintenance and cleaning can also prevent potentially harmful toxins from circulating in the air in your home, keeping the air you’re breathing clean and free from impurities.
Neglecting to regularly maintain your air conditioning system can have a dramatic impact on performance, resulting in costly energy bills.
It’s not uncommon for poorly maintained air conditioners to:
Regular servicing and maintenance will ensure any system issues are picked up early, with most problems being a relatively easy fix. However, when issues are left ignored, they often lead to bigger, more complex problems which are costly to repair.
Regularly maintaining your air conditioner can also protect you and your family from experiencing a range of health problems.
While the filters in air conditioners do a great job removing toxins from the air, they do need to be cleaned regularly and replaced if damaged to be able to work effectively. When left unchecked, there’s nothing to prevent the system from circulating impurities including dust, dust mites and other allergens which are known triggers for conditions including asthma, nasal irritation and eczema. Air conditioners can also accumulate bacteria, germs and mould, which can cause similar health issues when breathed in.
Air conditioners are also prone to refrigerant leaks. Refrigerant contains an odourless and tasteless gas known as Freon (or fluorinated hydrocarbons), which when ingested, can cause serious health issues including cutting off vital oxygen to your lungs and cells. Refrigerant leaks can also cause significant damage to your air conditioning unit, so it’s important to get onto them quickly.
Like any electrical appliance, the components in air conditioners can become worn-out and damaged with ongoing use. While unlikely, if a part was to malfunction, it could present a fire risk. The accumulation of dust in your air conditioning system can also pose a fire risk.
To ensure your air conditioning maintenance is up to scratch, you may be able to perform some basic maintenance tasks yourself. More advanced maintenance tasks are generally best left to the professionals.
In between professional servicing, it’s important to regularly check and clean the filters of any dust or debris.
While you should follow the instructions provided in the user manual for the specific unit, it’s generally quite easy to remove the filters and use a brush to remove any build-up before rinsing them in clean water. Ensure the filter is completely dry before putting it back in the air conditioner.
If you’re confident you know what you’re doing you may be able to attempt some of the more advanced maintenance tasks yourself, however, they’re usually included in a professional service so you may want to save yourself the trouble.
While the tasks included in a professional service will vary depending on the company you use, at Easy Cool Air, our air conditioner servicing always includes all the tasks just listed to ensure your air conditioner is operating in optimal condition.
In addition to regularly cleaning and changing the filters in your air conditioner, other maintenance tasks that need to be conducted regularly include:
When servicing and maintaining your air conditioner, it’s also good to conduct hydro sanitise cleaning to ensure the system is free from bacteria, fungi, mould spores and viruses, giving you confidence that the air circulating in your home is clean and safe.
