As the summer progresses you become increasingly grateful for your air conditioning unit and how effective it is at cooling your home. Of course, it’s often overlooked as the air conditioning simply works.
But, while you turn a switch, the air conditioning unit undertakes a complicated task. It involves pulling air past a heat extraction liquid, through filters, and into your home. At the same time, it monitors temperatures to ensure it turns off when the right temperature is reached.
The problem is that your air conditioner can stop working, leaving you sweltering in 40° heat. That makes it hard to focus or complete any task. While an air conditioner can break at any time, you’ll drastically reduce the risk of it breaking down if you have your unit serviced.
How Often Should It Be Serviced?
Your air conditioner works hard but it’s designed to do this job. To keep domestic or industrial air conditioning in the best possible shape you should have it serviced at least once a year.
When it’s serviced the technician will check and replace filters, complete air pressure tests, and ensure the temperature control is accurate. More importantly, a technician will spot any issues that are likely to cause problems before your next service.
While the service doesn’t guarantee to spot any issue, it will identify parts that are starting to wear and at high risk of breaking. These parts can then be replaced before you have an issue.
The simple answer to how often should it be serviced is every 12 months.
Additional Servicing Advice
Alongside the annual service performed by the professionals, there are several things you can do to keep an eye on your air conditioner and ensure it continues to run smoothly.
Potentially the most important is to check the filters. They can quickly become clogged with pollution and debris, especially in the summer months. Cleaning them and, if necessary, replacing them, will help to ensure your unit works efficiently.
The more efficient the unit the less stress it will be under, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns. In addition, an efficient unit will cost less to run, potentially saving you money.
You should also take the time to clean the air conditioner. Dust will settle in and on every component of the air conditioner. This creates flow issues and encourages overheating. Simply cleaning the unit thoroughly will help it to keep working.
You should note that opening the unit up is dangerous and should only be done by the professionals. It’s best to clean the areas you can see and get to easily.
Don’t forget to test your unit by turning it up to full power and seeing how fast it cools the space. You should also note the noise it produces, the louder it is the more likely it is you have an issue that needs to be resolved.
Of course, any air conditioner will smell when you start it up at the beginning of summer. It’s simply burning off dust collected over the winter. But, if it continues to smell you need professional help fast.
