Taking Care of your Ducted Air Conditioning System

Installing a ducted air conditioning system into your home is quite the investment, from the time it takes to find the right unit for your home, to the fees associated with having the unit installed by a professional. When making this sort of investment for your home, you expect it to keep your family cool and comfortable for years to come. In order to get the most out of your ducted air conditioning system, it’s necessary to perform the required maintenance and repairs and generally take care of your ducted air conditioning system, thereby avoiding major repairs or replacements in the future. When you don’t take care of your ducted air conditioning system, you potentially invite problems into your home, including:

1. Air contamination, often due to dirty filters

2. Increased energy consumption, and therefore increased bills

3. Lack of adequate heating and cooling throughout the home

4. Major repairs or replacements may be necessary, costing you a significant amount in the long run

So, to help you ensure the longevity of your ducted air conditioning system, we’ve compiled this list of tips including ways you can perform basic maintenance yourself to when you need to call in the professionals. By keeping an eye on your ducted air conditioning system, you can help to prevent or delay problems, and therefore get the most out of your investment as possible. One of the most important ways you can maintain the performance and quality of your ducted air conditioning system is by changing out the filters regularly. It is recommended that the filters are changed at least twice a year, and that you opt for filters with a high efficiency rating in order to get the most value out of them. Your air conditioning unit is exposed to household debris like dead skin flakes, pet hair, dirt and even rodent droppings in the vents. This results in the perfect breeding ground for mould, allergens and dust mites, which is then circulated throughout your home by your ducted air conditioner. By regularly changing your filters, you ensure that debris and other harmful residue doesn’t enter your home and cause sickness, allergies or act as an asthma trigger. Regularly changing your filters ensures your ducted air conditioner performs as it should, while maintaining a healthy environment within your home. A great time to replace your filters is at the beginning of the season, when you first start using your air conditioner after a long period of inactivity. This is because debris may have accumulated in the meantime, and cleaning the filters allows you to begin with a fresh start for the new season. To take care of your air conditioning unit between filter changes, consider spraying an anti-bacterial solution onto your air conditioner, focusing on the filters, fan coil and drip pan and tube. This will kill bacteria before it has a chance to flourish, protecting your family from inhaling contaminated air. Another thing you can do on your own is to ensure your outdoor unit is clean and free from debris. Debris can become trapped within the unit or harm its efficiency, resulting in premature repairs for you to take care of. During winter, consider covering it to protect it from the harsh weather. However, it’s always best to speak directly to your manufacturer about the best way of protecting your unit from the elements, as different units function differently. Additionally, experts recommend seeking out a yearly inspection from a qualified ducted air conditioning repair. These experts will be able to identify any repairs that are needed to prevent future breakdowns, any ways to improve the efficiency and performance of your system, and suggest if there’s any parts of your system that you need to keep an eye on in case they need repairs in the near future. If you’re in talks with an air conditioning company about installing a ducted system, try to organise an annual inspection agreement with them so you can have the same professional service your system every year. Finally, seek immediate repairs if you notice any issues. This could include strange noises or smells coming from your unit, poor air flow, a faulty thermostat, or excess moisture building up. Not addressing these issues is likely to result in higher energy bills, as your unit is not performing efficiently, as well as increase the likelihood of serious and costly breakdowns in the future. If you notice your ducted air conditioning repair is not functioning as it should, call a professional immediately for servicing. It’s always best to call the professionals who installed your unit in the first place, as they’ll know the product thoroughly and should act as your first port-of-call for any issues. By following the above maintenance tips and seeking repair when you need it, you increase the longevity of your ducted air conditioning unit and ensure your investment truly pays off in the form of comfort and convenience for your family.