Has the aircon in your home stopped working and you need help in fixing it? Or perhaps you just want to know how often should an aircon unit be serviced? Regardless of why, here’s a guide that will tell you everything you need to know about maintaining your air-conditioning unit.
Without regular maintenance, an air conditioner’s efficiency decreases over time. A dirty filter reduces the airflow and makes it work much harder than necessary. Don’t worry though, we’ll show you exactly what to do when we discuss how frequently each part needs attention.
What follows is a general guide for typical residential AC units in Singapore, so individual results may vary depending on the specific model of the split-type or window type AC units.
The outdoor unit of a split-type aircon system sits outside your house and is exposed to all manner of dirt and debris along with the elements. In order to keep it in good working condition, you have to clean its exterior at least once a month or after every major storm that blows leaves into the unit’s intake vents.
First take out any removable parts such as splitters and drain trays, so you can access the chassis for cleaning. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any visible dirt or dust particles from its surface until it looks spotless, then let it dry before putting everything back together again. If your aircon has a water drainage tube, make sure that it’s not blocked before you switch on the power.
- Avoid the common mistake of turning your air-conditioner on and off too often. This will only stress the aircon machine, leading to a shorter lifespan for your unit. Switching it off instead when you leave home through a simple timer is a much better idea.
- Ensure that there’s a thick layer of insulation around windows or doors where cool air might escape from the room being cooled by an AC system. If you have double glazed windows, this is not necessary as they are already quite energy efficient themselves where heat penetration is concerned – so don’t worry about leaving them open to let in some fresh air while you use your AC system!
- Fitting curtains can greatly help prevent unnecessary heat getting into your room from the sun. However, if you live near a road where pollution is high, it would be best to not close your curtains as some dirt can actually seep into your home through fabrics! In this case, it’s better to use drapes with a mesh-like appearance instead.
- Keep your AC system clean and free of dust by having regular aircon maintenance done at least once every year or two years – preferably just before seasons change so that you don’t have to waste too much time without being able to turn on your air-conditioning units when needed. Dust can build up within the components of an AC system or even shorten its lifespan by restricting proper airflow in the interior sections! So make sure that there are no dusts or other obstructions in your AC system during maintenance!
SoCool aircon are passionate about providing better living through technology, working closely with clients to identify their needs and delivering solutions that are energy efficient yet still maintain the highest standards of comfort. With over 20 years of experience, SoCool aircon have designed, installed and maintained thousands of air conditioning systems across Singapore. If you noticed an omission or error in this article please get in touch here.