We all know it’s essential to regularly clean your air conditioner’s filter, but how long has it been since you had it serviced? Let’s look at the signs you need to be aware of and what is involved in servicing your air conditioner.
Whether you have a ducted or a split system unit, regular maintenance of your home’s air conditioning system will help improve its performance and extend its life span. To ensure your system is operating with maximum efficiency, it is recommended to clean your unit as instructed by the manufacturer and have it serviced regularly.
The most important thing you can do to get the most out of your air conditioner is clean the filters regularly. Cleaning the dust and fluff out of the filters not only allows the air to flow freely through the air conditioner without having it labour and work harder to do its job, but it ensures the air produced is cleaner and healthier for your family.
Why we should clean the filter regularly
- The dirtier the filter, the less air passes through the filter.
- The less air that flows through the filter, the less air the fan will move.
- The less air the fan moves, the colder or hotter the indoor coil depending on the mode of the system and the system can go into fault or cause the system to run at a reduced capacity.
The timing between filter cleans can vary depending on how often you use your air conditioner, but it is recommended every two to four weeks with regular use.
If it has been a year or more since your air conditioner was installed, consider getting it serviced by an air conditioning professional. Not only will the system run more efficiently, cooling your home better, but it will also extend the life of your system.
What are some signs that your air con needs a service?
Indoor Unit
- Dust appears on the louvres or ceiling vents
- Air Con not performing as well as it used to in hot weather
- Not blowing enough air
- Producing a whistling noise
- An odour may be present
Outdoor Unit
- Not working as well as it used to in hot weather
- Defrosting more frequently in cold weather
What happens during a service?
If your air conditioner shows some of the signs above, it may be time to book a service. Below are some of the common items performed during a service, depending on the system you have installed.
- The filters are cleaned.
- The fan blade should be checked and cleaned (if needed)
- The indoor coil is cleaned (if needed)
- Drains flushed.
- Facia cleaned (Wall Split, Cassette, Under Ceiling).
- Grilles cleaned (Ducted systems)
- The outdoor coil is cleaned
- Wiring connections checked for tightness
- Refrigeration operation checked.
