What Does Planned Preventative Air Conditioning Maintenance Entail?

In a previous article we talked about the importance of planned preventative air conditioning maintenance in keeping your air conditioning system working efficiently and effectively.

As we’ve mentioned in the past, an air conditioning system needs regular maintenance and care. If you don’t maintain your system its performance will start to decline and it will eventually fail. A failing or failed system is usually the result of a part breaking down which in turn can affect other parts within the system.

Sometimes what starts as a small, easily solvable issue can become a cascade of issues which can then result in a mounting repair bill.

Typical Air Conditioning Maintenance Checks

In this article we look at what a planned preventative air conditioning maintenance visit looks like and what it entails. Here are some of the things you can expect an air conditioning maintenance check to cover:

Inspect the system. Carrying out a visual inspection of your air conditioning is vital as it can highlight any issues that haven’t yet become full blown problems. If you don’t inspect the system on a regular basis, the first you’ll know about an issue is when the system starts to have a problem. Rather than being a simple fix you may find yourself with a major repair bill. Regular inspections and maintenance will help keep your air conditioning in good shape and will help to prolong its life. As previously reported implementing regular air conditioning maintenance can help maintain up to 95% of your air conditioning system’s efficiency.

Check the control panel, thermostat settings and sensors. The control centre, thermostats and sensors control the actual room temperature. The temperature set should be the temperature within the room(s). If there is a discrepancy between the set temperature and the actual temperature there may be an issue with the controls. A maintenance check will be able to diagnose the issue and help to track down the problem.

Check electrical connections. Over time air conditioning electrical connections can come loose or break. There are numerous electrical circuits with an AC, all of which must work correctly to keep the air conditioning running smoothly. An air conditioning maintenance check will determine whether there are any damaged, frayed, loose or detached wires and replace any that look in need of repair.

Change the filters. Given the nature of what an air conditioner does it’s clear that if it’s working correctly the filters within the system are going to become dirty. If the filters are not cleaned or replaced regularly, dirt, dust, grime, pollen etc. will build up and the filters will become clogged. As a result the air conditioning has to start to work harder to maintain the set room temperature and keep the air clean and will ultimately stop performing as it should. Inspecting and changing the filters is one of the simplest and most important aspects of air conditioning maintenance.

Check your ductwork. Air conditioning ductwork can become damaged through normal wear and tear. An air conditioning maintenance check will look for gaps in the ductwork or holes and connections that become loose over time. Any gaps, loose fittings or holes that are found should be properly sealed which will improve efficiency of the system.

Clean the condenser and evaporator coils. Air conditioning systems consist of cooling coils or evaporators and condensing coils. The coils are the parts of the system where the heat transfer takes place. A build up of dust and grime can clog the coils causing reduced heat transfer and air flow, decreased cooling, increased operating temperature, reduced energy efficiency, all of which can lead to increased energy consumption, reduced air quality, increased wear and tear on the system and reduced life expectancy.

Check the condensate drain. The condensate drain should be kept clear of debris and dirt. If the condensate drain becomes clogged it can lead to an obstruction in the flow of water from the system and can cause an increase in moisture to accumulate. Moisture retention within the air conditioning can cause water damage, mould to grow, increased humidity levels and poorer air quality. An air conditioning maintenance check will ensure the condensate drain is kept clean and clear to avoid these problems.

Lubricate moving parts. Air conditioning systems have a number of moving parts including the fan motor, the fans and the compressor. These moving parts need to be kept clean and lubricated to prevent friction, heat, wear and tear and stress between the parts within the system. Lubricant forms a film between solid surfaces which helps them to move easily. Using lubricant will extend the life of your air conditioning and should be applied when required at the air conditioning maintenance check.

Check for leaks. Leaks most commonly occur from the evaporator coils, condenser coils and refrigerant lines. Refrigerant leaks are very serious. If you suspect you have a refrigerant leak you must call a professional HVAC and M&E contractor.

Check the refrigerant levels. Air conditioning units need refrigerants to work. Without refrigerants, we would not have air conditioning, refrigeration or freezing technology. All air conditioners need the right levels of refrigerant to be able to efficiently cool the air. If there isn’t enough refrigerant in the system then the compressor will have to work harder to achieve the temperature that has been set and eventually the lack of refrigerant will cause damage to the system. If you see a decrease in the levels of refrigerant within the system this is usually a very good sign that there is a leak as refrigerant isn’t “used up”. It’s vital to identify how refrigerant is escaping and once the leak is identified and repairs are carried out the lost refrigerant should be replaced. As above, you should contact a professional AC contractor when there is a leak and refrigerant has to be added to the system.

Test the system. Once the system has been fully serviced it is tested to ensure all issues have been addressed, if there were any, and the system is working efficiently.

Planned Preventative Air Conditioning Maintenance

Synecore offer planned preventative air conditioning maintenance packages to suit your air conditioning system. We cover Kent, London and across the UK. All of our maintenance projects are overseen by an experienced project manager so you know you are in good hands. Should your air conditioning suffer a system breakdown Synecore’s PPM package customers receive high priority status for any air conditioning breakdowns and repairs. We ensure an engineer will be on site within hours and your equipment will be back up and running as quickly as possible. Also included in our PPM package is compliancy with F-gas regulations and TM44 certification.

For more information on our air conditioning maintenance services call us on 01795 509509 and speak to one of our friendly and experienced experts to arrange your visit today or contact us via our contact form.