In a country as hot as Australia, nothing could be more natural than the desire to cool your home and business. So it's not surprising that the HVAC industry is a massive part of the Aussie economy, consuming around 20 percent of the nation's electricity and generating 7 percent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. Millions of Australian homes could hardly function without their air-con systems (not to mention the hotels and restaurants that have to keep their customers comfortable).
It's fair to say that Australia depends on having reliable air conditioning units, but are you spending the time and money to ensure that your cooling system is as efficient, reliable and effective as possible?
The difference between keeping an older system in working order and installing a new air conditioning unit can be substantial, so here are some ways to tell whether your system needs some TLC from an air conditioning repair service.
You Detect Dust in the Coils and Condensers
Every air conditioning unit accumulates particles of dirt and dust as the months go by. It goes with the territory. The problem is that this dust can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner by 5 percent or more, costing you money and wearing out your device's components.
Dust can also lower the quality of the air that circulates in your home or office, raising the risk of respiratory problems, so there are plenty of good reasons to check your filters for dust accumulation. A good practice is to affix a tag to each filter when they are installed with the installation date. That way, you can stick to a sensible inspection and replacement schedule.
You Spot the Tell-Tale Signs of Corrosion
Corrosion is probably more important than dust in limiting the lifespan of your AC unit and every air conditioner is vulnerable to corrosion. Often caused by the presence of chemicals like chlorides, fluorides and saltwater (or even dog's urine), corrosion can ruin your condenser coil as quickly as a few months after installation.
It's sometimes hard to spot the early signs of corrosion, but it always pays to have a close look at the coils on your unit. If you spot any discoloured areas, there's a good chance that corrosion is the culprit, and it's a good idea to call in a commercial air conditioning service to check your system out. At the very least, the experts can recommend measures to reduce corrosion risks in the future.
Your Air Conditioner is Full of Debris and Dirty on the Outside
Corrosion and dust detection require you to look inside the bowels of your AC, but this one is much simpler. Despite the costs of malfunctioning air conditioners, many people allow their units to become clogged with brush, litter and leaves, and this debris accumulates around the condenser. Mud deposits also build up, with the same unfortunate consequences.
Don't neglect your AC unit. Every few months, shut it down, hose it down, and pay close attention to the coils, picking out any debris. If you've left it for over a year without cleaning, it's probably best to call in HVAC experts to check for any long-term damage.
Don't be caught out when the summer arrives. Nobody wants to be left sweltering and sweating with a defunct air conditioner in their back garden. Check for dust, corrosion and debris and don't hesitate to call in expert assistance. For more information, contact an air conditioning repair service.
