As the temperatures start to rise in Brisbane and the days start to get longer, no doubt you will start putting your air conditioner to work around the home or business. While it is common for people to turn on their air conditioner without doing any preparation work to it, that can cause problems that can leave you suffering through the sweltering heat later on!
Before summer really hits Brisbane it is best to get your air conditioner ready for what can be months of continuous use. Some of the biggest problems associated with neglecting your air conditioner include:
- Large service and repair bills
- Large energy bills
- Insufficient cooling
- An unexpected need to replace the unit
Just like other things in and around your home, regular air conditioning servicing ensures that your air conditioner runs the way it should run at a time when you need it most. Waiting until your air conditioner needs repairs can cost you more and undoubtedly will strike your household during the hottest time of the year when it is most needed.
6 TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER FOR THE BRISBANE SUMMER
Whether you’ve been using your air conditioner during the Brisbane winter or not, it’s always best to give it a once over before the hot summer really hits to ensure it’s ready to go.
To help out, we’ve put together some simple tips and tricks you can do yourself:
1. Clean The Filters
The filters in your air conditioner system are extremely important as they trap airborne dust and particles that exist in our homes, however, to keep them working effectively they do need to be cleaned.
2. Inspect The Outdoor Unit
It’s important to check the areas surrounding the air conditioners outdoor unit for any leaves, grass or other stray debris that might’ve collected there. Any stray materials could impede airflow and result in your air conditioner running inefficiently. Do a quick check to ensure it’s clean and tidy around your outdoor unit.
3. Change The Mode And Temperature
While it may seem like the obvious step, change your air conditioner to cooling mode before summer strikes. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally turn the unit on while in heating mode and when summer finally arrives you can easily set and forget your air conditioners timers to keep your rooms cool as the temperature rises.
4. Redirect The Louvres
Cool air falls, so position the louvres towards the ceiling and as the cool air falls it will be circulated evenly throughout the room. This will help to ensure you have a nice cool room each time you start your air conditioner.
5. Professional Air Conditioning Service
A professional air conditioning service technician will be able to do a complete check and clean of all parts of your unit and make any required adjustments to ensure that your air conditioner is running efficiently. This should be done at least once a year and during summer if you notice any signs that your air conditioning unit is not running properly.
6. Get Your House Ready
It will help the performance of your air conditioner (and electricity bills) during those hotter Brisbane months if all the blinds are closed during the day to block sunlight which will ultimately heat up your home. If you have rugs, removing these will also help keep the ambient temperature down.
COMMON SIGNS YOUR AIR CONDITIONER NEEDS SERVICING
Just like with your car, regular air conditioner servicing is important to keep it running efficiently and is absolutely essential for ensuring the longevity of your system. However, your air conditioner can still break down when battling the high Brisbane temperatures.
It is important to catch your air conditioning issues before they cause serious problems.
Ensuring regular maintenance is vital but there are some things to look out for that may mean your air conditioner is in need of a professional servicing sooner than you expected.
- No Cool Air – If the air coming from the vents is not as cold as it used to be, then it is a sign that you may need an air conditioner service. Not blowing cold air even at maximum setting can be an indicator of a damaged compressor. No cool air can also indicate that the refrigerant level is too low.
- Limited Airflow – If air is not circulating throughout the house or premises, then you need to have it inspected. Several issues can cause this problem, such as clogged filters or blocked ductwork. Dirt and dust can accumulate in the vent and obstruct the ductwork. A failing compressor can also cause reduced airflow. Regular use of the unit can cause wear and tear that reduces the efficiency of the compressor.
- Bad Smells – A burning smell from the air conditioner may be a sign of burnt wire insulation. If it is a musty smell, then it could mean there’s mould growth within your ductwork. You should call a technician to check the problem and make the proper repairs as soon as possible.
- Mysterious Sounds – When your unit starts making unusual sounds, it requires an air conditioning service. If you hear sounds of metal grinding you should turn off the system right away and don’t use it to prevent further damage.
- Increase in Temperature – An increase in temperature of the air conditioning unit may be a sign that the air conditioner has a dirty coil, damaged electrical components, broken motor fan, or a refrigerant leak. In this case, you will need to call a professional to inspect your unit.
- Leaks – If the refrigerant is leaking out of your air conditioner, you should take action right away. The refrigerant can be potentially dangerous to people and animals. If water is coming out of your unit, then you could have a clogged drain tube. While it is not as dangerous as that of a refrigerant leak, it can lead to larger problems if you ignore it.
3 STEPS FOR REDUCING AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING COSTS
If you don’t think carefully and take some measures to keep your energy costs down, this Brisbane summer could turn out to be very expensive. Preparing your air conditioner for summer is really important and this starts even before you start using your air conditioner. You don’t want it working harder than it needs to due to the size you have installed, unnecessary temperatures set or poor maintenance. An air conditioner that works harder, will use more power and rack up costs on your power bill.
Here are a few steps to consider to help reduce your air conditioning costs:
Step 1: Have The Right Size Air Conditioner
Buying the wrong sized air conditioner can be an expensive mistake. A system that is too large will cool quickly but not dissolve the room’s humidity. That confuses the system and causes it to turn off and on regularly. It uses more energy starting and a system that is turning on and off too often will have a reduced life. You also run the risk of cooling areas that nobody uses. Conversely, if the system is too small then it’s working way too hard to cool the area. Buying the least expensive unit or the unit that is ‘on special’ may not be the correct air conditioner for you. Work with a professional air conditioner expert who can give you the right advice.
Step 2: Set Your Thermostats And Timers (22 – 24 Is A Good Temp)
Starting the temperature on your air conditioner lower and leaving it there will cost you a fortune. Try using ceiling fans periodically to keep the airflow in the lower half of your room where it needs to be. The air will stay at the right temperature if you close all the windows and doors and keep cool air from escaping up stairwells and into voids.
Our Summer tip: Even setting your air conditioning unit one degree warmer than you normally would, can cut costs by up to 10%. As a rule, try not to set the thermostat less than 8 degrees below the outdoor temperature (so if it’s 30 outside, aim for 22 or 23 degrees celsius inside).
Step 3: Maintenance
We like to reiterate the importance of air conditioner maintenance because really nothing else ensures the longevity of your air conditioning unit than a regular air conditioning service and maintenance check by a professional.
HEWITT AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR AND SERVICING IN BRISBANE
For the past 15 years, Hewitt Trade Services has been at the core of providing superior commercial and residential air conditioning services around Brisbane. Our list of happy clients continues to grow by the numbers. Affordability and quality are what make us the best air conditioning company in Brisbane.
In addition, we’ve partnered with the most trusted suppliers – Daikin, Fujitsu, Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric – available in the market to ensure you get value for your money. Whether you are looking to have your air conditioning installed, repaired or serviced, our skilled tradesmen are experienced to meet your needs.
We offer minor and major air conditioning services around Brisbane:
Minor services include:
- Cleaning of filters in front of fan coil
- Fan coil head unit cleaning
- Inspection of your electrical connections
- Flush drain operation
- Inspection of the airflow from the head unit
- Inspection of the refrigerant gas pressure
- Removal of any obstructions on the outdoor unit
Major services include:
- Cleaning of filters in front of the fan coil
- Cleaning of the fan coil at the head unit
- Removal and cleaning of head unit covers
- Removal and cleaning of the fan barrel
- Inspection of the flush drain operation
- Electrical connection inspection
- Head unit airflow inspection
- Checking of refrigerant gas pressures at the compressor
- Removal of obstructions on the outdoor unit
Our team of tradesmen travel all over Brisbane and can assess your air conditioner and give you the best advice suitable to you. We also offer expert advice on best market practices on how best to keep your air conditioner in good working condition.
Hewitt Offer – Summer Maintenance Savers
Right now at Hewitt Trade Services, we have this great offer to get your air conditioner serviced by one of our professional and experienced Brisbane air conditioning specialists.
- One unit $140
- Two units $100ea
- Three or more units $90ea
- Ducted air conditioning $170
Find out more about our great offers, finance options or book in for your air conditioning service by visiting us online or calling our friendly team on 3634 0200.
