If you system breaks down when you need it most and you are forced to pay out for large repairs, you’ll quickly see the benefits of keeping up regular servicing and maintenance.

How do you maintain an air conditioning system and how often should you have your air conditioning serviced? Let’s take a quick run through my essential air conditioning maintenance tips so you can ensure your air conditioning system is still in optimum condition when you need it most.

How often should you have your air conditioning serviced?

Schedule a service for your air conditioning at least once every year. If you are a business, work in an industrial environment, use your system frequently or have furry pets, you may need to have your air conditioning serviced more frequently. 

Like your boiler, your domestic or commercial air conditioning system needs to be serviced regularly to avoid long term damage which could result in the need for a new system. If you live in or around Islington or London and would like to schedule a service for your domestic or commercial A/C unit, call 0207 561 8865 today.

Top air conditioning maintenance tips: 

As with any machine, there are a number of things you can do throughout the year to assist with the up keep of your air conditioning unit and prolong its life.

These are my top air conditioning maintenance tips:

1. Clean the filters: The filters inside your air conditioning system are crucial to its performance. Keep filters clean and free from dirt and grime by cleaning them at least once a month.

Dirty filters will stop the air flowing through the system and prevent your air conditioning from working properly. 

If the dirt is left to build up over time, it will fall deeper into other parts of the unit and cause greater damage. Evaporator coils often end up incurring damage in this way and the air conditioner’s efficiency levels will drop rapidly. 

You’ll find the filters in your air conditioning unit can be removed easily for cleaning. Check your manual if you are not sure how to access the filters but they will be easy to find and take out. 

In some cases, your manual may inform you that your filters must be replaced instead. If this is the case, ensure you purchase the right replacement filter to fit your make and model.

Once you have taken them out of the unit, check the recommendations in your manual to confirm how the filters should be cleaned. It will usually be with water or by gently running a hoover over the filter’s surface. 

The manual will also tell you how often your filters need to be cleaned. For most filters a clean up once or twice a month is sufficient.

2. Look for obstructions: The outdoor location of condensing units means they can be easily forgotten until something goes wrong inside. You can make some simple checks on your outdoor condensing unit and prevent costly damage later.

Make it a point to regularly examine your exterior condensing unit to ensure it is free from any foreign objects. Bramble, leaves, dirt and other debris can easily become lodged in the unit and cause costly repairs. During winter, the unit can be covered to keep it protected whilst not in use.

Consider how close outdoor decor is positioned to the unit. If the unit’s airflow is blocked, your air conditioning system will run into problems. Ensure all outdoor equipment is kept well away from the unit to prevent issues related to restricted airflow such as overheating.

3. Check the coils: Your air conditioning system has evaporator coils inside the unit and condenser coils in the outdoor unit. Both coils are at risk of getting blocked from a build up of dirt and debris.

Keep both sets of coils clean by checking them at least once a year for signs of dirt. If you know the condenser coil is located in a position where debris collects easily, you’ll need to check it more often.

The aluminium fins on both coils should also be monitored to check they are still in their original shape. These fins can become misshapen over time and cause the air in your system to become blocked. 

4. Clear Drain Channels: The drain channels in your air conditioning system should be checked from time to time to ensure they are clear. 

As with any other form of drainage, the drain channels for your air conditioning system can easily become obstructed by debris and foreign objects.

To clear any blockage, check the recommendations in your manual. You’ll find most obstructions can be removed with a trusty, long piece of wire, held tightly so it doesn’t fall into the system! Need a repair? Call us today on 0207 561 8865.

For commercial and domestic maintenance and servicing in Islington, north London, central London and all other London boroughs, call us today on 0207 561 8865. We provide expert installation, maintenance and repairs for all types of air conditioning for business or home.