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Air conditioning is one of the best solutions for cooling your home in summer but you need to ensure your system is properly maintained after installation. Whether they're mono-split, multi-split or reverse cycle, air conditioning units need regular cleaning to keep on performing well. Read on to discover some useful tips and learn all there is to know about air conditioning maintenance.
No matter what type of air conditioner you have for cooling your home, frequent maintenance is essential.
The answer is yes and no: it all depends on whether the air conditioning system is installed in a private home or on business premises. In the UK, there are no official Building Regulations in place for domestic air conditioning systems. So, there is no legal requirement for householders to have their air conditioning serviced. In the case of commercial buildings, however, inspections are mandatory to ensure the health and safety of their occupants. According to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, air conditioning systems in commercial buildings with an effective rated output over 12kW must be inspected at least once every five years. A certified energy assessor must carry out these checks. Aside from routine maintenance inspections, building managers are responsible for F-gas (fluorinated greenhouse gas) inspections. This ensures that any refrigerant gas leaks are repaired as soon as they’re found. After carrying out these checks, the energy assessor will provide an inspection report for the building manager to read, including an efficiency rating.
Although these inspections are not required for domestic systems, you should still make sure any air conditioning products in your home are serviced regularly.
We always recommend that you contact a qualified HVAC specialist to provide these services.
Generally speaking, a professional will check various points during their visit:
A service contract (also known as a maintenance contract) is not mandatory but we strongly recommend signing one. Knowing you can always contact a professional for support will give you peace of mind. In addition to the checks described above, the service contract includes breakdown cover for your air conditioner all year round. The contract is meant to cover the cost of labour, spare parts, travel expenses...
The price of a service contract is generally lower than the cost of using a repair company on an ad hoc basis. A service contract usually costs between £80 and £180. As we’ve seen above, the price of the service contract includes all the repair work. As well as keeping costs down, this will help you save time: you won't have to compare quotes from different companies before choosing one, as the contract will tell you which team of engineers to contact in the event of a breakdown!
In addition to regular services by an HVAC engineer, you can also clean your air conditioner yourself. We recommend doing this annually at least.
Air conditioner servicing is not to be taken lightly. Well-maintained units guarantee better performance, lower energy bills and improved air quality, which will have a direct beneficial effect on your health. Also remember to change or clean your air conditioner's filters in addition to regular check-ups by professional engineers.