Air conditioning maintenance

Feeling as if your air conditioning unit just isn’t as effective as it once was? Even for the sun worshippers, a British heatwave can feel like too much - so it’s crucial to make sure your unit can pack enough power to help you keep your cool. 

Taking time to carry out regular air conditioning maintenance will make sure you can always have cool air at your fingertips. As well as regular servicing, knowing how to clean your air con unit by yourself when you need to will keep things running smoothly, all summer long. 

How to tell whether your air conditioning needs maintenance

There is a range of reasons why your air conditioner might have run into problems, but keeping an eye out for any unusual signs will mean you can solve the issue before it turns into something more serious.  

If you’ve noticed any of the following issues, it’s probably time for your air conditioning unit to have a maintenance check up. 

• There’s no cool air coming out of your air conditioning unit, or your room is taking longer than usual to cool down.
• You’ve spotted a leak, damp spots or droplets of water around your air conditioning unit. 
• Your air con unit is rattling, buzzing or making a strange noise. 
• The room your air con unit is installed in smells stagnant or musty, as if there is dirty water nearby. 
• Your unit seems to be cooling quickly or switching itself on and off too often, known as short-cycling. 

Do air con units need regular servicing? 

It’s recommended that you have your air conditioning serviced roughly twice a year: once in Autumn, and once in the Spring. Regular servicing at this time helps pick up any problems before you’re in desperate need of your air con, so you can enjoy a cold blast of air as soon as you need it. Seeking the help of a professional engineer will give you the peace of mind that everything is working as smoothly as it should be. 

If you have a more modern air con unit that includes a smart thermostat, your engineer will also be able to check this, ensuring it is as reactive to your needs as it should be. This will help you monitor your usage, and keep track of your energy output much more easily. Taking these steps will help you save money as well as significantly lowering your energy output. 

As well as regular servicing, taking care of your air-con unit on a daily basis will make sure you always get the best results, all year round. The harder your unit has to work to cool your house, the less efficient it will be. As well as making your monthly bills soar in the summertime, this means your air conditioning simply won’t keep your home as cool as it could be. 

How can you clean your aircon unit? 

There is a range of air conditioning units you can choose to install depending on your needs and the size of your home. The majority of more modern units, like split system air conditioning, have an inside and outside unit to pump cold air in, and warm air out. Your regular air conditioning maintenance needs to pay attention to both your internal and external units to keep everything running smoothly. 

Cleaning your inside air conditioning unit 

Over time, dust and general household debris builds up within your aircon unit as the air is circulated around your room. While this is to be expected, it’s important to ensure any build-up is removed regularly so your air con’s blades, vents and filters can continue to work as effectively as possible. While regular servicing will take care of your entire air conditioning unit, you can clean your filter by yourself.  

You’ll need to do the following; 

1. Make sure your air conditioning unit is switched off, so no unfiltered air travels around your home, and you can clean it safely. 
2. Unscrew the unit’s vent to remove the filter for cleaning. 
3. If the filter is made of plastic, metal or reusable material, you can clean it by gently dusting away any dirt build-up. If there’s a significant amount of debris, you might find it easier to use a handheld vacuum to remove the dust or run warm water over the filter. If you choose this option, make sure you’re running water in the opposite direction to the airflow, so no excess water remains in the filter once it’s clean. 
4. Make sure your filter is completely dry and dust-free, and carefully fit it back into your air conditioning unit.  

Cleaning your filter is a fairly easy task you should be able to carry out yourself, but if you’re unsure, it’s always best to get a professional opinion. A qualified engineer will be able to inspect and clean your air-con unit and provide you with advice on maintaining your air con in the future.

Cleaning your outside air conditioning unit 

As a crucial part of your air con set-up, you should keep an eye on your outside unit as well as your inside filter. If your outside unit is placed in an area that gets a lot of traffic or natural upheaval, such as underneath a tree, it’s important to check up on it regularly. 

When your aircon is under pressure from external sources and the energy it is using, you risk overwhelming it, causing a loss in power and a shortened lifespan. Clearing leaves, grass clippings and other debris off the top of your unit will help your aircon run as efficiently as possible. 

Air conditioning maintenance regulations

As well as keeping your building nice and cool, air conditioning maintenance is important for keeping you, your family and your team safe, too. Whether you’ve chosen an air-con unit for your home or your office, there are certain air conditioning regulations you need to keep to in order to ensure everyone is as safe as possible. You need to follow these if you have any type of air conditioner, but there are extra regulations in place for landlords and commercial properties too. 

If you’re trying to keep the costs down, you’re concerned about the amount of energy you’re using or you simply want reassurance that your aircon is working as it should be, you can book in for an EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, inspection. This will review your energy efficiency and offer you more modern alternatives if necessary. 

Keep your cool with BOXT. 

Here at BOXT, we think everyone deserves to keep their home at the perfect temperature for them. Our unique tool lets you choose your ideal air conditioning unit quickly and easily, without any extra hassle, at a price that works for you. Get in touch with our friendly team to find the next addition to your home.