During the winter months, our often overused air conditioning units don’t see too much action and lay dormant for many months, collecting dust.
With the cusp of spring upon us, however, it might be a good time to give your AC units a thorough cleanup. After sitting idle, it’s quite likely that dust and other kinds of debris may have accumulated in your system, affecting its performance and efficiency.
With the hottest months of the year coming up in the not-too-distant future, you will want your system in excellent shape to fight off the heat, and spring is the best time to do this.
If you’re on the fence about a good spring cleaning for your air con, here are a few excellent reasons to consider calling the pros or doing a DIY cleaning project yourself.
As I mentioned above, when your air con sits dormant during the winter months, it’s all too easy for dust and dirt to accumulate inside your system. Turning your aircon on without cleaning out the insides could then result in dust clogging the vents and causing plenty of damage to the other components of your unit.
A poorly maintained aircon is also likely to have frequent problems while it’s being used and this can have a major effect on your energy efficiency and the level of cooling you enjoy inside your home.
Higher electricity bills and more frequent breakdowns all, ultimately, have a hefty impact on your wallet.
A common issue you’ll face during spring is pollen, which can be found in high concentrations in the air at this time of the year. What’s more, is that it’s all too easy for it to find its way into your home too.
Pollen isn’t inherently harmful but if you or your loved ones have any allergies, these particles might trigger immune responses or even asthma attacks.
Air conditioners have filters that can catch pollen and other harmful particles and keep your indoor air clean. To do this efficiently, you’ll need to make sure your air conditioner’s filters are cleaned properly.
Aside from pollen, the dirt clogging your system could also blow into your rooms, polluting the air you breathe. A dirty air conditioner is also home to many harmful bacteria, like Legionella pneumophila, which can even cause conditions like legionnaires’ disease.
Sometimes, traces of water may be left behind in your unit, and this water will stagnate in the machine throughout the cold winter months.
Your air conditioner’s drain pan and condensation drain pipe will need to be cleaned out as soon as possible because the water trapped in them can lead to algae and mould growing in them. These, in turn, will clog your drain pipes.
When you start using your air conditioner again in the spring, the clogged condensation drain pipes will be unusable, and this could lead to moisture leaking into your walls.
Moisture can damage your wall paint, weaken your walls, and even cause mould to grow. If you have electrical wires running through the affected wall, the moisture could damage them and create an electrical hazard too.
First and foremost, you should clean the filters and remove any dirt and grime stuck in them. You can also dust them, but washing them with water is more effective.
The coils in your system keep your air conditioner from heating up. If too much dust accumulates, the unit could overheat. Cleaning the coils is a very delicate job, so it’s best to have professional air conditioning cleaning services handle this.
See if your fan is working properly. A faulty condenser unit fan will not be able to cool the refrigerant gas and this will affect system performance. If you hear any odd noises from the fan or if it doesn’t work at all, seek help from a professional.
These drains might be clogged with mould and algae, so they should be cleaned thoroughly and as soon as possible.
Springtime – a good time to give your air con unit plenty of TLC!
A well-maintained air conditioner will last for years and help you fight off the harsh summer heat and the airborne irritants that spring brings along.
The best time to maintain your system is springtime when you’re using it less and professional support is readily available.
At Alliance Climate Control, we make sure that your air conditioning systems are cleaned and maintained well and are in good working order.
Call us on 02 8061 5023 and get in touch with our HVAC specialists today.
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