Air conditioners require maintenance just like any other complex piece of technology. Some of them you can handle on your own, while others really need the help of an expert. The accumulation of filth, dust, and mould will increase your unit's energy consumption if this is neglected. This causes wear and tear on the parts, increases the risk of component failure, raises energy costs, and can even be hazardous to your health. Is it really necessary to get your air conditioner serviced once a year, and if so, what are the warning signals that something is wrong?

Do You Service Your AC Once A Year?

If money is limited at home, you may wonder if it's important to pay for annual air conditioning service. The short response is "yes." Why? Among the many benefits of scheduling regular maintenance for your unit are:

·         With frequent maintenance, your unit will continue to operate at its highest efficiency level.

·         Your utility costs for heating and cooling won't go up.

·         Maintaining your air conditioner so that it lasts longer.

·         Keeping small issues from developing into major ones that cost a lot to fix.

·         Your warranty may be null and void if you neglect routine maintenance.

·         Making summertime adjustments to your unit's cooling and ventilation systems.

How Frequently Should Service Be Performed On An AC Unit?

You now know how important it is to have your air conditioner serviced often, but how often should you have it serviced?

Regardless of age, kind, or model, annual maintenance is advised for most air conditioners. However, you should always follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. In the case of ducted units, this is especially true because their construction is more involved than that of a split system. The fact that much of their equipment is hidden is the primary cause behind this. Thus, problems with one part can easily snowball into much larger problems, not to mention a hefty repair expense. Professional HVAC service will guarantee peak performance for your unit.

How Can I Tell If It's Time To Have A Professional Service My System?

An annual AC maintenance plan should have a licenced aircon service expert take care of a variety of maintenance duties and typical air conditioning malfunctions. There are a number of tell-tale symptoms that your system, such as your ducted air conditioner, requires maintenance.

Whether you have a ducted or a split system, they consist of:

Refrigerant levels

Refrigerant changes phase from liquid to gas as it passes through the system, absorbing and dissipating heat as it does so. Different air conditioning systems call for different amounts of refrigerant to operate at peak efficiency. Low levels of refrigerant cause decreased efficiency and higher energy costs.

Power switches

The electrical parts of an air conditioner are susceptible to wear and tear if the system is often turned on and off. Pests can chew into wiring, causing shorts that can fry your PC boards and even trip your circuit breaker. There may be a defect that is causing the system to dangerously overheat if you are unable to restore power by flipping the circuit breaker back into position.

Conclusion

Fixing the problem will require an upgrade by a skilled air conditioning specialist like Endeavour Air Conditioning Pty Ltd. This can include the construction of new ducts, new return-air grilles or the undercutting of doors to allow for return airflow.