The appliance most used by Australians in the hot, summer months is, without a doubt, their air conditioning units. Depending on where you live and how high the humidity levels are, your air conditioning unit may be working consistently to keep your space as cool and dry as possible.
With this in mind, it’s essential to have the plumber Sydney locals use, routinely check your air con to ensure it’s always in proper working condition. If you’ve never had your existing air con serviced, you may not be aware of the signs that show it’s due for some attention. Keep reading as we share these signs.
Maintenance is Essential for a Working Unit
The key to ensuring that your air conditioning unit is always in good working order when you need it is to have it serviced often. Your plumbing expert will be able to advise you of the frequency of having the unit serviced.
Keep in mind that this depends on the age, type, and brand of your AC unit. Aside from this, you should also look out for the more common tell-tale signs that let you know there’s a potential issue brewing. Our team of trusty plumbers have compiled a list of these signs.
It’s Been a While Since the Last Service
Air conditioning units are often among the list of appliances and gadgets that the average homeowner doesn’t deal with unless there’s an issue with them. This usually means that a plumber is only called when the unit is no longer working. Leaving a small issue to escalate can result in high repair costs.
The frequency of an AC service depends on the model and how often it’s used. Most plumbers recommend having your air conditioning unit serviced annually. If it’s been a while since your AC’s last service, it’s a good idea to schedule an assessment before you need the unit for the extreme summer weather.
You Can See Signs of Dripping Water
When it comes to water or moisture near your AC unit, it’s essential to know the difference between an actual leak and moisture from condensation around the fan coil unit. If you’ve confirmed that the water around your AC unit is from a leak, it’s important to switch the unit off and call your plumber.
This issue is usually a result of faulty components or refrigerant leaks, and if not attended to timeously, can result in additional damage to other electrical components, such as the evaporative cooler. It’s important to highlight that water leaking from your AC can damage the area around it. This can result in additional repair costs for your roof or air vent spaces.
Error Codes are Continuously Flashing
Depending on the age and model of your air conditioning unit, you may be seeing error codes flashing on the LED display area. If you have a model that does this, it’s essential to know what each code means and what you should do to clear it.
A breakdown of these codes is often found in the user’s guide. You can also check online or speak to your local plumber. For the most part, these codes are made up of letters and numbers such as P4, U0, or UH. If it’s a minor issue, you may be able to troubleshoot it on your own. However, larger issues won’t be cleared by simple troubleshooting. Refer ongoing issues to your plumber.
Your Air Con Is Working Less Effectively
Units that haven’t been maintained in a long time, as well as older models, may start functioning less optimally over time. This type of issue also often causes the AC unit to take longer to switch on and may not be lowering humidity levels the way you expect.
In older units, refrigerant problems, damaged components and blockages could also be contributing to the overall health of your AC unit. Don’t let these issues escalate, as these can cause the unit to fail.
Hot Air instead of Cold
Using your AC unit in the summer means you’re expecting a rush of cold air at some point. If you have the cool setting on, and the air doesn’t seem to be cool, it’s a sign that there may be an issue with your AC. This could be happening as a result of poor or restricted air flow. This type of issue can usually be sorted out by cleaning the unit or changing the filters.
Final Thoughts
The golden rule with owning an air conditioning unit of any size is to have it serviced at least once every year. This is especially the case if you have an older unit or you haven’t had it serviced in a long time. Waiting for the equipment to break down can result in costly repairs.
Avoid this by speaking to your local plumber for a routine service as well as tips on how to best keep the unit in good working order. Doing this will ensure that your home is cool all summer long!