It can be tempting to put off air con maintenance if nothing appears to be wrong with your system, but experts warn that this could be a costly mistake.
From refrigerant leaks to clogged filters, there are plenty of things that can go wrong without any visible signs. But with air conditioning units starting at around £750, you'll likely want to do everything you can to extend its lifespan.
Below, we explain everything you need to know about air con maintenance, including what needs checking, how much it costs, and the damage that can occur if you put it off.
What maintenance does an air con unit need?
1. Filter cleaning or replacement
At the very least, Lucy Arnold, Maintenance and Servicing Manager at PRA Air Conditioning, recommends cleaning or replacing the filters regularly to ensure they are free from dust and debris. While this doesn't replace a professional service, this basic maintenance will help the unit run efficiently.
2. Professional service
In addition to regular cleaning, Lucy says you should also have your air conditioning professionally serviced by an engineer. They will clean the internal components, check the airflow and electrical connections, and inspect the system for refrigerant leaks.
"Plus, they can spot small faults before they develop into much bigger and more expensive problems," she adds.
Specialising in setting up rolling and one-off maintenance contracts for domestic, commercial and industrial customers, Lucy is a maintenance and servicing manager at PRA Air Conditioning. Her decade of experience also includes quoting and designing air conditioning and refrigeration systems, quoting for installations, breakdowns and repairs.
How do I know if my air con needs maintenance?
Ignoring these warning signs is one of the biggest air conditioning mistakes you can make:
1. System is running for longer than it used to: "If it takes an hour to cool the room when it used to do it in 20 minutes, something is not right," says Martyn Fowle, Founder of Elite Renewables.
2. Increase in electricity bills: Noticed a sudden – and seemingly random – hike in your bills? Martyn says your unit could be working harder because the filter is blocked, the outdoor unit is restricted, or the system is not operating efficiently.
3. Unusual symptoms: If you've noticed anything out of the ordinary, such as strange noises, unpleasant smells, water leaks or weaker cooling, it's worth having it checked, says Lucy Arnold.
Martyn Fowler is the founder of Elite Renewables and has over 20 years of experience in home energy systems, heating, cooling and air conditioning.
How much does air con maintenance cost?
Wondering the cost of air conditioning maintenence? Martyn says to expect the following:
- Single wall-mounted unit: £70 to £120
- Two wall-mounted units: £130 to £200
- Larger multi-split system: £300+ (depending on the number of units)
"The important thing is to check what the price actually includes. You want the coils, drainage, electrical connections, airflow and general performance checked as well as the filter," he says.
"I’d also be wary of automatically paying for a refrigerant ‘top-up.’ Air conditioning is a sealed system, so if refrigerant is low, the engineer should be looking for a leak rather than simply adding more gas."
Can't be bothered with the upkeep of a built-in system? This three-in-one unit can be used as an air conditioner, a dehumidifier and a fan, and can be controlled via your phone or voice.
What happens if I don't service my air con unit?
No one wants to fork out £300 on air conditioning maintenance, but leaving it too long can result in a build-up of inefficiencies (in other words, you'll end up paying more for electricity each month).
Martyn says you can also shorten the lifespan of the system and could even void the warranty if the unit requires regular servicing.
How often should I service my air con unit?
Both Lucy and Martyn recommend servicing your air conditioning unit at least once a year – potentially more often if it's used heavily for both heating and cooling. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, as mentioned above, you should have it checked in between services.
Can I service my air con unit myself?
No, you should not attempt to service your air conditioning unit yourself, as it can be both a safety hazard and a risk to your warranty. However, there are a few basic maintenance tasks you can try, according to Martyn Fowle:
Do it yourself
- Clean and replace the filters
- Clear leaves and dirt from around the outdoor unit
Leave it to the pros
- Opening up the system
- Repairing refrigerant leaks
- Interfering with electrical parts
"Skipping professional maintenance or attempting technical repairs yourself could leave you paying for a future repair that would otherwise have been covered," concludes Lucy Arnold.
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