Regular air conditioning maintenance is important for preventing breakdowns, maintaining efficiency, and prolonging your air con system’s lifespan. Now is a great time to ensure your air con system is operating as it should and ready for the next summer season.
In this air conditioning maintenance guide, I’ll cover:
- Risks of skipping air conditioning maintenance
- Tips on basic air conditioning maintenance tasks you can perform
- Benefits of regular air con maintenance
- Signs your air con system needs maintenance
- When to schedule professional servicing
Risks of Skipping Regular Air Con Servicing
Air conditioning service Perth is important to keep your air con system running properly. Without regular maintenance, your air con system may experience costly or frustrating issues, such as:
- Breakdowns — The last thing you want is to be without air on a sweltering summer day in Perth. Without proper maintenance, your air con system is at higher risk of breaking down, leaving you to sweat it out as you wait for a repair technician.
- Decreased Efficiency — A dirty or poorly maintained air con system will be forced to work harder. This reduces its efficiency and makes it more costly to keep your house at your desired temperature. Learn more about optimising your air con’s efficiency here: Heating and Cooling.
- Voided Warranty — Failing to maintain your air con system according to the manufacturer’s instructions may void the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Decreased Unit Lifespan — Dirt and debris buildup can damage the internal parts of an air con system. A poorly maintained air con system may not last as long as it should, forcing you to buy a new air con system to replace it.
- Poor Indoor Air Quality — If a filter is trapped with particles, dust, pollen, and debris, indoor air quality will be reduced. This is a big concern in households with infants, individuals with respiratory conditions, or elderly family members.
- Higher Energy Bills — An air con system that is working harder due to damage, dirty filters, or blockages will result in higher energy bills.
- Poor Performance — Blocked filters, damage, and obstructions reduce the amount of air that can flow through the fan coil. This will make it difficult for the air con unit to maintain your desired temperature.
- Odd Noises or Unpleasant Smells — Poorly maintained air con systems may make odd, annoying noises or emit musty smells.
- Expensive and Frequent Repairs — Neglecting your air con system can lead to more frequent repairs. When issues are ignored, they can build up into a more serious issue that requires expensive repairs or complete replacement of the system.
Common Problems that Air Conditioning Maintenance Can Fix
Professional air con servicing can prevent many common air conditioning problems in the first place. However, even with regular annual servicing and maintenance, air con systems can still experience problems.
If you do notice an air con problem, I recommend getting it looked at as soon as possible. The longer a problem is ignored, the more damage that can occur. The cost of repair is also likely to increase the longer you allow the problem to go on.
If you notice weird smells, clunking noises, poor performance, excessive grime or build-up, or other heating and cooling issues, contact a repair technician immediately.
Our expert air con repair technicians can fix and address:
- Damaged filters
- Dirty coils
- Unusual noises
- Clogged filters
- Heating and cooling issues
- Musty odours coming out of the unit
What Happens During a Service
Service by a licenced technician involves so much more than a simple cleaning. A licensed air con technician will ensure all components are working efficiently, detect any underlying issues, repair any problems, and perform preventive maintenance.
A thorough inspection requires technical expertise and a knowledge of the many types, makes, and models of air con systems. At Total Air Conditioning Perth, our family-run business has extensive experience with all major makes and models from the top industry brands.
It will vary based on the condition of your unit and its make, age, and model, but our professional air conditioning service generally includes:
- Thorough inspection and service by our licenced service technicians
- Full check and test of all functions
- Detailed coil and unit cleaning when required
- Deep cleaning of the filter and replacement if needed
- Pressure testing
- Re-Gassing
- Complete ductwork cleaning and inspection for ducted systems
- Checking the refrigerant levels
- Testing to ensure proper airflow
- Battery replacement, if necessary
- Complete check to ensure there is no damage present
- Thorough inspection of all duct connections for ducted air con systems
How Often Should You Get Your Air Con Serviced?
I recommend getting your air conditioning system professionally serviced once a year. The cooler months are a great time to schedule your annual air con service. This ensures the system is working properly, efficiently, and ready to handle those hot summer days with ease.
I also recommend scheduling a professional inspection if you notice:
- Frequent cycling
- Leaks
- Icy coils
- Clogged filters
- Damage to the unit
- Blockages
- Poor airflow or performance
- Unusual noises
- Insufficient cooling
- Poor heating (if you have a reverse cycle split system)
When you choose Total Air Conditioning to install your new air con system, we make sure you are set up with a clear annual maintenance plan.
Our goal is to make sure you are well informed and confident in maintaining your air con system so you can enjoy your investment for many years to come.
Home Maintenance
Along with professional servicing, I also recommend performing regular air con maintenance. This typically includes a monthly wipe down of the exterior and cleaning the filter and a more thorough bi-annual cleaning.
Maintenance needs will be slightly different based on the air conditioner type, make, and model.
For instance, split system air conditioners are fairly straightforward to clean while a ducted air conditioning system will require the most maintenance. The ducts need to be regularly inspected for leaks or damage. Ductwork requires extra maintenance as the ducts and all connections need to be regularly inspected for leaks or damage.
Regardless of the type or air con system, all units should be professionally serviced once a year and regularly cleaned with a damp cloth to remove surface dirt and build up. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific air con system.
A typical home air conditioning maintenance routine will involve:
- Keeping the surface of any of the units clean and free of dust, dirt, and debris
- Making sure any indoor units are free of obstructions (i.e. curtains, furniture, blankets, objects)
- Making sure the outdoor unit is not obstructed by branches, twigs, leaves, or plants
- Watching for common AC issues and contacting a professional technician if you notice any problems
- Following the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance requirements
- Cleaning the filter once a month and replacing it as needed (usually every three months)
- Wiping down all vents, surfaces, and ducts and the outdoor unit twice a year
- Removing the service panel twice a year (usually at the change of the season) to make sure there are no blockages or build up on the coils, vents, or surfaces
Benefits of Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance
Did you know your air con system has the potential to be the biggest energy-waster in your home?
A dirty or damaged air con unit will work harder than it needs to, decreasing its efficiency and increasing your energy bills.
I recommend regular home and professional air con maintenance to enjoy:
- Lower energy costs and reduced energy consumption
- Higher performance from your air con system
- Improved air quality inside your home
- Improved system reliability and efficiency all year round
- The longest working lifespan of your air con system and component
- Reduced risk of breakdowns
- Fewer repairs
- Help prevent common AC problems
- Higher efficiency
Get the Most Out of Your Air Con System with Perth’s Air Conditioning Experts
Regular air conditioning maintenance and professional servicing can increase your system’s efficiency, lifespan, cost-effectiveness, and performance.
Having air con problems with your ducted, evaporative, or split system? Or has it been over a year since it was professionally serviced? We offer full service deep cleaning for all air con types and diagnostic servicing if you are noticing issues with your air con system.
Our qualified technicians are here to keep your air con system running effectively and efficiently.
Call us on (08) 9443 1288 with any questions or to book your professional air con servicing or free no-obligation in-home consultation today. You can also fill out our convenient online form to contact our team.