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You know those regular checks we perform on our cars – such as the tyre pressure and oil levels – to keep them running in peak condition between mechanical services? Well, it pays to perform similar checks on your home Air Conditioning system.
Since a well-maintained Air Conditioning system will outlive one that is not by about 10 years, following a few simple steps before firing up your aircon each summer will save you big dollars in replacement and/or repairs over the life of the unit.
These checks – which are separate to your annual service by Plum Trade Services licensed professional – will also see you spending less on power bills because they will ensure your system runs more efficiently.
A little bit of thoughtful TLC is all it takes, which is why we’ve put together this simple guide to preparing your Ducted Air Conditioning for the sweltering summer months.
But first, it’s important to stress that you shouldn’t neglect your annual service by our friendly Plum Trade Services team. The inner workings of your system are not a job for the home DIYer.
To get you started, we’ll break this job down into two parts, the indoor and outdoor units. But before you start, you should check that the electricity is switched off at the Mains and don’t touch any electrical components.
The outdoors unit
- The filters: Since cleaning or changing your filters is essential to the performance of your unit, we’ll start here.
Some units have permanent filters that need to be rinsed with water, while others have disposable filters that need to be swapped out regularly. Check your manufacturer’s manual to see which type you have and follow the instructions.
While here, also check that the refrigerant lines are still fully insulated.
- Winter debris: Your outdoor unit (condenser) should be free of leaves, sticks, dirt and other debris that can become trapped in the vents and moving parts.
Take time to carefully clean these away because they can cause damage to your unit or cause it to operate less efficiently.
The indoors unit
- Check for leaks: If your Ducted Air Conditioner has leaks, the unit will run out of refrigerant. If you spot any, don’t delay in organising for a licensed professional to repair them.
- Check Copper lines: Look for the longest copper line and touch it. If it is cold to touch, this is a good sign.
- Cooling Coil: Ice around your cooling coilis a strong indicator that your evaporator coil is frozen. This can cause power loss and prevent cooling of your home, so it is a time to call in the experts.
- Thermostat: If your thermostat has malfunctioned, consider replacing it. It should be positioned well clear of any heat source.
- Electrical connections: Make sure that your circuit breakers and electrical connections are perfectly aligned.
Time to test your Ducted Air Conditioning
Once you’ve cleaned the outdoors condenser unit, changed the filters and performed all the above checks indoors (and knowing that you’ve had your Air Conditioner serviced by a professional this year) it’s time to test your Air Conditioner.
Turn it on for a few minutes. Listen for any strange noises and check the air coming from the vents. If it’s clean and cool, you are good to go.
However, if it’s blowing hot air or letting off a damp, musty smell, it’s time to call in the experts to diagnose what is wrong.
Call Plum Trade Services today
For all your Air Conditioning servicing and repairs, or for installation of a new unit, please call our award-winning team for assistance today.
We pride ourselves on our customer service and always act with honesty and integrity.
Call us today on (03) 8360 9622 in Melbourne, or (03) 5292 2219 in Geelong. Or, you can contact us via this link https://www.plumheatcool.com.au/contact-us/
