How To Service Your Home Air Conditioner

Understanding how to service your home air conditioning can save time and money. It can also improve the quality of the air in your home and make things more comfortable for everyone, especially those with sensitivity to dust and other allergens. As well as improving air quality, a regular service will reduce excess moisture, which can lead to mould.

Why it’s important to clean your air conditioning unit

As well as making sure your unit runs efficiently and cutting down on allergens, cleaning your air conditioning unit will help you get the best from your air conditioning for as long as possible. Trapped dust and debris mean your unit has to work harder, which means it will wear out more quickly. Regular home maintenance, as well as regular professional cleaning and servicing, means you can enjoy smooth running air-con for as long as possible.

A step-by-step guide to cleaning your home air conditioning

1. Take a look at the instruction booklet

Your air conditioning unit should have come with an instruction booklet. This will tell you how to get into the unit, how to access the filters and info about all other user-serviceable parts. If you can’t find the booklet, you’re likely to find a copy of it on the maker’s website.

2. Turn the unit off at the wall before you start work

For your safety, make sure the unit is completely switched off before you attempt any cleaning work.

3. Clean the indoor filters

Dust filters on your indoor unit can get clogged up with dust. Cleaning them means air can flow freely, which will keep running costs reasonable. To do this, follow these steps:

• Open the unit cover
• Remove the filter
• Brush or shake the filter (it’s best to do this outdoors)
• If necessary, wash the filter in warm, soapy water. Make sure it’s dry before putting it back in the unit

4. Clean the louvres

These louvres are the bit of the unit that direct airflow. They can be cleaned with a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner.

5. Clean the outdoor unit

It’s important to keep the outdoor unit free from stray plants and to sweep away leaves and dust regularly. Any other maintenance should be left to a professional air conditioning maintenance service.

How often should I clean my air conditioning unit

We’d recommend you clean the indoor elements twice a year, and the outdoor unit at least once a year. If you’ve had a spell of very stormy weather, or you’ve done any dusty renovation work, then it’s worth checking your unit is clear from any debris.

If you live in a very dusty environment, or somewhere with high humidity, then you may find that you need to clean out the filters more frequently.

When should I have a professional service?

A professional air conditioning service involves things like checking the refrigerant, testing the thermostat and inspecting all the internal parts. Many manufacturers recommend yearly services to keep your machine in tip-top condition for as long as possible.

Professional cleaning will include a clean of all the internal workings of your unit such as the coils, fins and drainage.