GET YOUR AIR CONDITIONER SERVICED REGULARLY!!

Getting your air conditioner serviced regularly is an absolute MUST!

Over the past couple of weeks with all this heat and humidity, most of us that are lucky enough to have air conditioning in our homes have been enjoying a nice comfortable sleep at least and blasting the aircon during the day. Also during this extreme heat wave we have been experiencing on the Sunshine Coast, Energex usage models show a 60% increase in aircon usage across the region.

We have had many, many calls over the past 2 weeks for air conditioners that have just stopped working or need repair or aren’t working the best. Just like nearly all of the Sunshine Coast’s aircon companies at the moment, we are booked solid and cannot attend breakdowns at a moments notice. Most of the time the issues being reported could have easily been prevented with regular servicing, and use.

Air conditioners are mechanical objects, with lubricants, seals and moving parts. If they are not used regularly, things can seize up and stop working when you need it the most. If you leave a car in the shed for 6 months and don’t turn the engine over, chances are when you want to the battery will be flat, the oil coagulated and gaskets gone dry and will need replacing. Air conditioners are no different.  and as we live on the coast in a salty, corrosive environment, regular servicing for your air conditioner is extremely important.

Here’s our top 10 tips that you can do at home to keep you air conditioner running at its optimum efficiency year round, and especially when you need it the most!

1.Check Power

It is essential that before you start most of the following tips, or attempt pretty much anything other than turn aircon on/off or run AC units for that matter, that you make sure there is NO electricity running through your air conditioner.  Safety first!

Note what position the isolation switch is in.  This switch is often called an isolator as it is designed to isolate power to an air conditioning system.  If you are trying to test run your aircon, check the isolator is in the ON position.  However, for the majority of other checks, the isolator should be in the OFF position.

Turn off all gateways of electricity running to your air con system, including but not limited to the isolator, circuit breaker and/or power point an older unit may be plugged in to.  The more electrical points turned off, the better.

Please note that just because it’s switched off, this doesn’t guarantee no power to the air conditioner.  Invisibly faulty components, such as a broken isolator switch, can allow power to still reach the AC units even when in the OFF position.

If you attempt aircon servicing on units with power running through them, you risk harming the system, the building power circuit, yourself, and those around you.  Surely it is not worth the risk.

If you are not 100% sure how to guarantee no power, it is best to contact an air conditioning contractor for assistance.

2.Read Manufacturer’s Instructions

When you buy new air conditioner units, they came with manufacturer instructions typically in the form of an Operations, Owner or User Manual.  This manual outlines key features, operational instructions, and ways to care for your specific AC model.  For example, it explains how to access the air filters and other key components of your specific system that you can maintain at home.

The manual also outlines how to use the system correctly, including any economy settings, timers, or safety features.  These instructions help extend the life of your business or home air conditioner, as well as save you time and money.  It is recommended to refresh your knowledge of the aircon system operations as often as required.

If you didn’t receive a User Manual, or can’t find the original document, try downloading a copy from the manufacturer’s website.

3.Check and Clean Filters

Cleaning filters is one of the most, if not THE most, effective ways to maintain your air conditioning system.  It is also vital to ensuring a healthy environment in your home or business.

This is especially true for a Ducted System.  Here’s why…

Ducted air starts at the indoor fan coil unit, circulates through a building and is blown out through outlets in every room.  The air is then sucked back into the air con system through the return air grille and returns to the indoor unit.  The cycle then repeats.

In a ducted system, the filter is usually found covering the return air grille in the ceiling.  Given the cycle of air flow, the cleanliness of the filter therefore impacts the cleanliness of the air being recycled indoors.

For wall split systems, cassettes and box air conditioners, servicing filters is also important to ensure a healthy indoor environment and optimum system performance.  Split aircon filters are usually found under the front cover of the indoor unit.

A filter literally filters the air and prevents airborne particles, dust, grime, and other pollutants from recirculating in your home.  If these particles are not captured by an adequately clean air conditioner filter and make it through to the indoor fan coil unit, this can cause dirt to build up and mould to grow within the indoor unit.  Mouldy air can then flow out into every room of the home or commercial workspace.

Further to obvious health issues associated with mouldy air condition, a blocked filter will reduce airflow and cause an aircon to work harder.  This reduces the expected lifespan of an air conditioner as components are worn out faster and can be damaged unnecessarily.  It will also cause power bills to skyrocket as the AC units draw more power to try and function normally.

How can you tell if a filter needs cleaning?  A general rule of thumb is to hold a filter up to a light and see if you can see light through it.  If the light is not bright, or worst case not seen at all, it’s time to clean the washable filter.  If it’s a disposable one, then it’s time to replace it.

4. Check and Clear Condensate Drain

A blocked AC drain is a common sign that an air conditioner requires servicing.  The condensate drain is connected to a drain pan or tray at the indoor unit and then usually runs into a collection point outside.  It allows condensation produced during the normal refrigeration cycle to be carried away.

Blockages can occur when matter accumulates in the aircon drain line, such as algae, slime or mould.  Insects such as cockroaches can also die, pass through, and then swell up in a drain line as they absorb water over time, causing a blockage.  Components from the indoor unit such as insulation can also break off and clog up the drain.

A condensate drain can run into a down pipe, drain or gutter.  Sometimes it simply runs off into the garden.  If you have easy access to the end of the drain, you can use a wet/dry vac to suck out the drain.  Using duct tape around the end of the drain line and vacuum head can increase the suction pressure where required.

This method can suck out and clear many blockages, allowing the AC drain to function normally again.  However, if water leaking persists or you see any ice build up then there may be a more serious underlying issue that requires professional investigation.

5. Clean Exterior of Indoor Unit

Like every surface in your home or business, the indoor air conditioner unit can develop a film of dust, dirt, grime, cobwebs and even mould.  Routine wiping down of the external unit is recommended with a feather duster, cloth or very lightly dampened washer.

You can use an antibacterial solution to make the air conditioner cleaner and sanitized.  The safety way to do this is to spray a cloth first, then use that cloth on the casing of the aircon, rather than spraying any liquid directly onto the unit.

Sometimes mould, dirt and grime can build up within the indoor unit, especially on the fan barrel and coil.  This can result in a mouldy/musky smell, spitting of particles from the indoor head and/or poor performance of the overall system due to lowered air flow.

The indoor unit can be disassembled and chemically cleaned with specially designed equipment to remove internal matter build up.  However, this is a task suitable only for an experienced and fully qualified air conditioner technician due to technical and serious safety considerations

6. Examine The Components And Wirings

While working on your air conditioning unit, you should turn the power to the unit off. Also, turn off the main switch and disconnect it from the outdoor system. Then, remove the access panel and examine the interior of the unit for any burned wires, overheating, melted insulation, or other issues.

Later, you can check all the electrical components and make sure that they are tight. If you are not confident in examining the air conditioner, you can seek the assistance of an HVAC technician as they can check your unit and complete necessary repairs.

7. Clean Air Outlets

Wall Split Unit

A wall split system has louvres (aka vanes or flaps) on the exterior of the indoor unit that direct air flow.  These angled oscillating flaps tend to collect dust and other matter on the surface when the aircon isn’t used frequently.

As a result, when the air conditioner is then turned on, the dust will typically blow out into the air and be breathed in by anyone in the room.  It’s certainly not the sort of air you want to breath in.  It can also cause nasal irritation and a sneezing fit.

These louvers can be cleaned with a dry cloth.  You can wipe over the surface and spaces between them.  Great care is required while cleaning, especially with older units, as these components become brittle and crack easily over time.

After air con cleaning, you can also spray the flaps with an antibacterial aerosol to help slow the growth of bacteria.  Great care is required with any water-based product as you don’t want water in any form entering the indoor head unit.

Ducted System

A standard ducted system has outlets (a.k.a. diffusers, registers, or vents) in the ceiling of each room or any area where air blows out.  Some ducted aircons have side-blow or even floor vents.  All of these registers can develop a build-up of cobwebs, dirt, dust, grime and even mould on the surface.

When ducted air then blows over the surface, it spreads this matter into the air, polluting the indoor environment.  Furthermore, there is often a layer of matter sitting on the ceiling-side of outlets that you don’t even notice until the central air starts pumping out.

These outlets can be cleaned with a dry duster and/or a warm, damp cloth.  You can wipe over the front surface and very carefully do the area behind them.  Be sure to cover and protect your face and hair in the process.

If you are unable to reach any air vents by standing, it is safest to use an extender pole or similar device while standing firmly on the ground.  If you choose to use a ladder, please ensure it’s a safe access platform compliant with any health and safety bodies in your region for the safety of yourself and those around you.

If a duster or damp cloth isn’t cutting it, or for greater sanitation, you can also spray the outlets with an antibacterial solution   As mentioned previously, a cloth can be sprayed with the solution first, rather than it being applied directly onto the surface.

Apart from health benefits, cleaning ducted aircon outlets can instantly brighten up the interior a home or business.  This can be a valuable part of commercial HVAC maintenance, especially if customers are entering the business premises.

However, AC registers don’t always clean up good-as-new as they can fade and become discoloured over time.  Good air conditioning companies should be able to arrange replacement air outlets for you.

8. Do Some Gardening

Gardening?  I thought we were talking about air conditioning, I hear you say.  Yes, gardening can be an essential part of routine air conditioner maintenance.

Living matter can grow into an aircon unit, causing all sorts of physical and electrical issues.  Clearing the area around an AC unit prevents these issues.

Nature’s beauty also provides the perfect home for all sorts of animals.  If an AC unit is in close proximity their natural habitat, the risk of animal damage to the air conditioner increases.  The most common animals impacting AC units include geckos, ants, cockroaches, lizards, snakes, frogs, rodents and possums.

It’s worth assessing and tending to garden beds, trees, bushes, foliage, weeds, grass, pot plants, wooden structures, vertical gardens, bird baths, ponds, and any other organic item or water source around your dwelling or premises.  These items can still have their place outdoors, but you may want to keep them as far away from the AC unit/s as possible and keep them suitably maintained.

Indoor plants, living structures and water features also need to be considered as living creatures can use these as their home or water source.  Insects or vermin in particular live in, or are drawn in to, these living features in the home.  If these attractions are anywhere near an indoor aircon unit, there is an increased risk of them entering the unit and causing damage to the electrics or printed circuit (PC) boards.

9. Clear Around Outdoor Unit

Organic matter and structures around an outdoor AC unit don’t only threaten to invade or increase the risk of animal damage; They can also impact airflow around the outdoor unit.  However, there is far more to consider on this point.

The outdoor unit is known as the condenser or sometimes referred to as the compressor (i.e. a component within the unit).  It plays a major role in the function of an air conditioning system.  Any items placed around an outdoor aircon unit can restrict the airflow and reduce system efficiency.  Such items include custom-made boxes, screens, fences, bikes, bins, pool equipment/chemicals, gardening tools/equipment, etc.  The list is endless.

The area around an outdoor air conditioning unit is not the place for storage.  Even temporary storage while the system is not in use is not recommended, as items can easily be forgotten when the system is turned back on inside.

As a general rule of thumb, you want at least 300mm clear around an outdoor unit at all times.  The more space, the better.  The area behind the unit is an exception to this rule, but even this distance has a manufacturer-specified minimum (usually 200-250mm, but depends on the model).  At the front, you want at least 1 meter of clear space.  Again, the more the better.

Overall, it is best to keep the area around the outdoor unit as clear as possible.  Routine aircon servicing is a perfect time the check and remove items that have crept into this space.

10. Check Electrics

You can check a number of things in regards to the electrics of an air conditioner.  Air conditioners are electrical machines, with newer models being particularly electronically based.

Firstly, visually inspect the isolation switch.  See Tip 1 for more on isolating power to your air conditioner.  Check for any bare, cracked, brittle, discoloured, burnt, snapped, or worn parts.

Secondly, check over the exterior of the entire system; outdoor unit, indoor unit and connection between the two units.  Keep your nose sniffing for any burning smells.  Keep your ears open for any arching noises.

Keep your eyes peeled for any covers that are coming loose or have come off completely, any signs of damage, wear or fault, and anything that looks unusual in any way.  It’s recommended to call an air conditioner contractor in to repair aircon issues found as coming into contact with exposed electrics can cause serious injury to adults, kids, pets and wildlife.

It is not recommended to touch any electrical components as they can hold their electrical charge for an extended period, even when all power to the system has been stopped.  For example, capacitor prongs can hold charge for over half an hour after an aircon is turned off.

Also look out for any signs of animals making themselves as home in/near the aircon.  Mice nesting in units or geckos running onto printed circuit (PC) boards often leads to electrical failure within an AC unit.  These inspections are all part of checking the electrics of an air conditioner.

Get you aircon serviced regularly to avoid potential costly breakdowns when you need your ac the most!