Question 1

How often should I get my AC Serviced?

Accepted Answer

Experts agree that ideally AC units should be serviced every 3-4 months to maintain cleanliness and efficiency. Drain lines and drip trays build up and need to be cleaned in order to avoid leaks. Electrics also need to be checked and filters should be cleaned to ensure that the air is as clean as possible.

One of the biggest benefits of regular AC servicing is that it allows any potential issues to be picked up early. This means that minor repairs can be made and parts replaced before a bigger issue occurs. During the AC service the Technician can also monitor the state of your ducts and coils and provide recommendations for their cleaning and maintenance. All these elements are essential to keep your air clean, your system efficient and avoid an inconvenient AC breakdown – particularly in summer when it is impossible to remain comfortable without functioning air conditioning.

Question 2

How do I know how many AC units I have?

Accepted Answer

You may have multiple units in your property some that get used regularly (for example, in the kitchen) and some that get used rarely (perhaps in the guest room). However, it is recommended that all units are serviced on a regular basis regardless of how often they are used. Aside from making it easier for you to keep track of your AC servicing, dust and dirt can still settle in an unused unit and electrical faults can still occur. We strongly recommend that you get them all serviced at the same time, so that if you are suddenly more reliant on them, they are ready to be used and functioning optimally.

Question 3

If I am in an apartment, is the AC centralized or do I need to get my own system serviced and cleaned?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, the AC units for your apartment will need to be separately serviced from the others in the building and this is likely to be your responsibility to arrange. You should also be ensuring ducts within your apartment are regularly cleaned. If you aren’t sure, speak to your building provider to establish if you need to schedule your AC servicing yourself.

Question 4

How often should I change my filters? How do I know if my AC even has filters?

Accepted Answer

Most filters do not need replacing often but they do benefit from regular cleaning. Almost all AC systems will have some kind of filter. These filters are necessary to remove minor particles from the air, keeping it safe and clean. Filter cleaning forms a part of most regular AC servicing visits.

Question 5

Should I do anything to maintain my AC between servicing?

Accepted Answer

No. Aside from minimising running hours by keeping your system on Auto and turning off rooms as required, your system shouldn’t require any special attention. Regular servicing needs to be carried out but this should always be done by professional technicians since it requires potentially dangerous electrical work and climbing onto ceilings and roofs.

Question 6

How can I reduce energy costs from ongoing AC use?

Accepted Answer

There is no doubt that the running of AC is a significant burden on your electricity bill. Unsurprisingly, the less you run your system the cheaper it will be but this just may not be possible during the hot summer months.

Simple measures such as heat blocking blinds and curtains could help to block out the heat making it easier for your AC to maintain comfortable temperatures. If it doesn’t need to work so hard it will use less energy, reducing your energy bills.

Smart thermostats that include climate control and eco modes will help to ensure your system is running as efficiently as possible. If you don’t have a smart thermostat you can still adjust your temperature regularly to ensure better energy efficiency. Make sure fans are set to “auto” so that they shift to low or turn off entirely once comfortable temperatures are reached. During the hotter months increasing thermostats to around 25/26 when you are not at home will help to sustain acceptable humidity levels whilst minimising cost.

It is also important to have your AC regularly serviced to ensure that your system is running efficiently. Any broken parts, blocked filters etc could be causing inefficiencies that make your electricity bill skyrocket.

Question 7

Can air conditioning control humidity?

Accepted Answer

Yes, by their very nature air conditioners de-humidify the air. If you are experiencing high levels of humidity inside your home one of the first things you should do is to check that your AC system is running correctly. Inefficient AC can be a leading cause of high humidity levels. If the AC is running correctly and you are still experiencing high levels of humidity indoors, you may need to check for other issues in your property. For example, you may not have the correct seals on windows/doors, you could have cracks in the ceiling or other issues that are responsible.

Question 8

Is it better to leave your AC running or turn it on and off as needed?

Accepted Answer

During the cooler months, only turning your AC on only when needed makes sense. However, during the summer months turning your AC off when you leave the house could raise humidity levels and make it more difficult to reduce the heat again when you are back. Smart thermostats that include climate control will help to automatically manage the system to ensure the AC is not wasting unnecessary energy but the humidity is still controlled. Make sure fans are set to “auto” so they shift to low or turn off completely once comfortable temperatures are reached. If you do not have a smart thermostat you can still adjust your temperature regularly to ensure efficiency. During the hotter months, instead of turning your system completely off when you leave the house, increase the thermostat to around 25/26 instead. This will help to control the humidity levels whilst also ensuring that you are not running up your energy bill. If you are going out for an entire day, or even away for a weekend, there is nothing to stop you turning your AC off altogether. Provided that your AC system is well-maintained, your property should return to an ambient temperature quickly once you return home and switch the AC back on.

Question 9

Should I leave my AC on when I go on holiday?

Accepted Answer

In the past, you may have been advised to leave your AC systems on while you’ve been away for a long period. This is because some people believed that doing so would reduce the potential damage caused by high humidity levels and moisture in the home particularly during the summer months.

However, we strongly recommend that you do not leave your AC system running when you are away on holiday. With no one checking your home any issues that may develop may not be picked up and you could find yourself returning home to a disaster zone. Blocked drains, gas leaks and electrical fires can all occur if AC systems are not regularly checked and these can cause untold damage to your home.

If you are going to be away from your home for a long period, having someone attend your home and run your AC system once per week will help to manage the humidity and avoid any major issues. If you are not able to have someone do this on your behalf it is far safer to leave your AC off than leave it running without being monitored.

Question 10

How do I ensure my AC lasts as long as possible?

Accepted Answer

The more your AC system is used (high running hours) the quicker parts may need to be replaced. A well-maintained unit will ensure you get the greatest lifespan from your system. Regular servicing means that parts are replaced early and the system is clean and efficient, thus avoiding any unnecessary pressure on key parts of your AC system that could result in expensive damage.

Question 11

If we have multiple AC units, is it better to have them all on to cool the entire house or just in the rooms we are using?

Accepted Answer

If you have large open spaces with multiple thermostats it may be more efficient to have all the units running (but set on auto to adjust to your desired temperature) rather than forcing one unit to cool a larger area than it was designed for.

Closed rooms that are not regularly in use, for example bedrooms, can be turned on only when in use.

Question 12

What is the best temperature to have my AC on?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this question really depends on your personal preference. Most people are happy with a temperature of around 21/22 degrees in summer during the day, dropping it down a few degrees at night to help them sleep better. During summer, setting the temperature around 25/26 degrees when you are out of the house will keep the humidity at bay whilst minimising expense.

Question 13

Is it a good idea to also get ceiling fans?

Accepted Answer

Ceiling fans do not directly impact the efficiency of your AC system. However, they can make rooms feel more pleasant by providing a breeze. As such, having a ceiling fan may make you feel more comfortable at temperatures slightly higher, allowing you to set your AC general temperature higher. Remember, ultimately a ceiling fan is simply shifting the existing air around a room, rather than cooling the air.

Question 14

What are the signs my AC isn’t working correctly?

Accepted Answer

The most obvious sign that your AC isn’t working is that the air temperature in your property isn’t cooling. If you feel warm air coming from vents or if you wake up sweating in the night it’s very likely that something isn’t right with your AC system. Strange noises and loud fans could also indicate that something within the system is faulty. In these instances you should always call out a technician so that they can evaluate the problem on your behalf. Remember, it isn’t safe to play around with AC systems yourself. The combination of water and electrics can be deadly.

Question 15

What should I check before calling for an AC repair?

Accepted Answer

If you think that your system is not working correctly it is best to get a trained technician to do a thorough check. Remember that some systems may take a while to start cooling a room especially if they have been turned off for some time. If you turn on your AC and it doesn’t immediately feel cool, leave it for at least 5 minutes and check again. If you still aren’t satisfied, give our team a call.

Question 16

How cold should my AC air feel?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your settings, the air coming from your system should always feel cool or neutral, not warm or hot. If you have your fan set to high but the room has already reached the set temperature, you may find that the air from the system doesn’t feel cool because it is simply circulating the existing air within the room.

Question 17

How do I know it’s time for a new air conditioner?

Accepted Answer

Well maintained AC units can last for a long time and regular servicing and replacing parts will typically keep your system running effectively and efficiently. Replacing a full AC system is a costly job and would only be considered if parts were no longer available or your AC unit is creating significant costs due to regular part replacement.

Question 18

Will a new AC system save me money?

Accepted Answer

New AC systems are likely to have updated features which may improve the efficiency of running your AC. However, for most people, the significant cost of completely replacing your AC system will far outweigh the advantages of these new features. If you keep your existing AC well maintained through regular servicing and parts replacement as necessary, there should be no need to upgrade your AC system.

Question 19

Why do ducts need cleaning? How can I tell when they need cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Air ducts are responsible for pushing air into each of your rooms. Over time, dust particles, dirt and even harmful microorganisms start to build up on their surfaces. When your AC is running it pushes this dirt and dust around, blowing it back into your rooms.

If you can see dust or mould then that is a key indicator that your ducts need cleaning! However, the ducts in your home are mostly behind walls and it is unlikely that you will be able to directly tell if a clean is required. If your ducts have not been cleaned for over a year then you can safely assume that dust and dirt will be starting to settle. If you are noticing an increase in the suffering of allergies from family members this may also indicate that your ducts need cleaning.

If you are moving into a new apartment or villa one of the first things you should do is to schedule a full AC service and duct clean. You don’t want any residual dirt from the previous owners to be locked in your AC system but scheduling an immediate clean also means you start with perfectly clean ducts and this helps you to keep track of your timings for future servicing and cleaning.

Question 20

What are AC Coils? Why do they need cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Your AC unit houses a coil which is responsible for cooling the air pushed through the system. It is housed in your outdoor system and is wet, which means it is susceptible to gathering dirt and mould which sticks to it. Any dirt and mould collecting on your coil will eventually start to seep into your system and impact the quality of your air. Any unusual smells coming from your AC could be an indicator that your coils need cleaning. Dirt in your coils can also impact the efficiency of your system and effect energy usage. A thorough clean of your coils should be carried out at least once per year.