A proper split system air conditioning maintenance schedule will ensure your air conditioner lasts for years to come. Your system will run more efficiently, saving you money on energy costs.
Also, a well-maintained air conditioner cools and heats your home more effectively. Coming into the hot Brisbane summer, a fully-functioning air conditioning system is crucial for cooling your home.
Proper maintenance also ensures your indoor unit runs quietly. No one wants to deal with a loud system that disturbs the entire family.
Jump to:
- Maintaining Your Split System Air Conditioning Units
- Split System Air Conditioning Service Schedule
- How to Tell If Your Split System Air Conditioner Needs Repairs
- Common Reasons Why Your Split System Air Conditioning Needs Repairs
- Conclusion
Maintaining Your Split System Air Conditioning Units
Maintaining your split system air conditioning indoor and outdoor units is essential for keeping them working as they should. You should clean them every couple of weeks, ensuring they don’t get clogged up or damaged.
Indoor Unit
Maintaining your indoor unit involves regular cleaning. It’s best to clean the exterior and the air filters and run the self-cleaning function of your indoor air conditioner.
Cleaning the exterior
Dust build-up on the outside of the unit can make its way inside. That can then form on the filters and obstruct airflow over time.
The best way to clean the exterior of your air conditioner is with a wet cloth. Simply wipe it down to remove any dust or grime. You should avoid using chemical cleaners or sprays because they may damage the unit.
Removing dust on the outside of the unit ensures there’s less around to get into the filters.
Cleaning the air filters
The air filters in your indoor system are important for proper functionality. Their perforated design allows air to easily pass through while catching dust and debris.
So, the filters clean the air as it flows through the system. That produces purer air in your home, making it healthier for you and your family.
However, allowing dust to build up in the air filters can restrict the functionality of your unit. When the filters get blocked, your system can run less effectively and efficiently.
The following cleaning steps give you a quick and easy way to prevent that from happening.
- Open the inlet grille at the front of your unit.
- Carefully remove the air filter you want to clean.
- Vacuum clean the filter or wash it (make sure it’s fully dry before you put it back).
- Replace the air filter and the inlet grille, ensuring it’s properly secured.
Running the self-cleaning function
A damp smell can come from your split system air conditioner when it’s running if there’s high humidity inside the unit. Running the self-cleaning function can fix this.
Top brands like Daikan, Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Fujitsu have these functions on their units. Simply follow the manual to start a self-cleaning cycle.
It usually takes about 30 minutes to finish. When it does, it reduces the moisture inside the unit.
Outdoor Unit
Regularly maintaining your split system air conditioning outdoor unit keeps it running smoothly. Leaves, dirt and debris can gather in the unit, causing obstructions and leading to blockages.
Homeowners who have a garden with plenty of foliage and trees need to be particularly aware of this problem. They should check their outdoor units more regularly.
People who live in an apartment with their unit on the balcony won’t need to check it as often. However, dust and dirt can still gather over time, so it’s a good idea to have a cleaning schedule.
Cleaning the outdoor unit
Follow these steps to clean your outdoor unit.
- Before you start, turn off the circuit breaker to disconnect your unit from the power – that keeps you safe during the cleaning process.
- Remove any leaves and debris from around the outside unit. Keeping the space tidy ensures there’s less chance of anything blowing into the system.
- Clear any leaves stuck in the unit with your hands. Loose leaves often get caught in the grille and lodged there.
- Wipe down the outdoor unit – that loosens and removes any excess debris.
These simple cleaning steps for indoor and outdoor units help maintain your split system air conditioner. However, you can’t keep up with all the required maintenance and need to get your system serviced.
Split System Air Conditioning Service Schedule
You should schedule your split system air conditioning system service once per year. A yearly maintenance service makes sure all the major components are working properly.
It’s a good idea to schedule your service to get it done before you start using your split system air conditioner more regularly. For instance, you should get it serviced before summer if you live in Brisbane.
That way, you won’t be caught short. Your air conditioner will run smoothly when you need it most, and you won’t get hit with high electricity bills due to an inefficient system.
Also, most manufacturers require annual servicing to keep the warranty intact. We recommend following that schedule because the warranty can save you a lot of hassle (and money).
There are two types of air conditioning services: minor and major.
Minor air conditioning services:
- Clean filters in front of the fan coil
- Clean the fan coil at the head unit
- Flush drain and check operation
- Check electrical connections
- Check airflow from the head unit
- Check refrigerant gas pressure at the compressor
- Remove any obstructions from the outdoor unit.
Major air conditioning services:
- Clean the fan coil at the head unit
- Remove and clean covers at the head unit
- Remove the fan barrel and clean
- Flush drain and check operation
- Check electrical connections
- Check airflow from the head unit
- Check refrigerant gas pressures at the compressor
- Remove any obstructions from the outdoor unit.
How to Tell If Your Split System Air Conditioner Needs Repairs
If you’ve neglected maintenance on your split system air conditioning, it increases the risk of needing repairs. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if your air conditioning system needs to be repaired. But the following signs let you know when to call in the experts.
- The air conditioner makes strange noises when running
- You hear gasping or rattling sounds
- The unit isn’t blowing cold air
- It keeps an inconsistent room temperature
- It suddenly stops running or switches off
- Water is leaking from the unit
- Unusual odours or smells
- You notice an increase in electricity bills.
Common Reasons Why Your Split System Air Conditioning Needs Repairs
Inadequate maintenance on your split system air conditioner can cause problems and lead to common reasons it needs repairs.
- Refrigerant leaks – a leak can cause your split system air conditioning system to become low on refrigerant. The leak must be fixed before the refrigerant is topped up for the system to work effectively. A trained technician should always perform this repair and test it – don’t try it yourself.
- Drainage problems – the condensation drain of the air conditioner may get blocked. That means it can’t drain properly, which affects the system. Unlevel installation can lead to drainage problems, so it’s essential to use a reputable air conditioning installation company.
- Dirty filters and coils – this stops the split system air conditioning system from working effectively and efficiently. It can put stress on the compressor and fans. The filters are easy to clean, but you should get a professional to clean the coils.
- Sensor problems – the thermostat sensor that measures the temperature of air coming into the evaporative coil can get knocked out of place. If the sensor isn’t adjusted to the correct position, the unit could run erratically. The sensor is hard to reach and must be precise. So, a professional technician should repair it.
- Electrical control failure – wiring to the compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially if the system cycles on and off a lot. A qualified technician should always check any electrical components that need repairing.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance keeps your split system air conditioning working effectively. It also ensures your system runs efficiently, saving you money in the long run.
You can perform some simple maintenance yourself, like cleaning the indoor and outdoor units. However, having a regular service schedule for your split system air conditioner is essential.
Only trained professionals should perform many of the required maintenance steps. And you should always call a technician to carry out any repairs.
