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It takes a lot of training until our heating and cooling technicians achieve the expertise they need to correctly diagnose and fix problems with air conditioning and heating systems on a service and maintenance call. This week, we thought we’d give you a sneak peek into just some of what’s involved.
Dirty filters are some of the most common problems that modern air conditioning units face, and can lower their energy efficiency significantly – by between 5% and 15%, by some estimates! What’s more, air that bypasses the filter could end up carrying dirt directly into the evaporator coil, and reduce its ability to absorb heat. Some types of air-con filters are reusable, while others have to be regularly replaced. It’s likely they’ll need more frequent attention if the air conditioning system is in intensive constant use, or operating in particularly dusty environments.
Similar to the filters, the evaporator coil and condenser coils can also collect dirt surprisingly quickly, and over time this can have a severe impact on the efficiency of the system by reducing the airflow and insulating the coil, cutting down on its ability to absorb heat. That’s why Askews engineers will also take care to look at the fan, and measure the unit’s airflow. Clean filters will drastically reduce the rate at which the coils get dirty, whereas if both have dust and dirt clinging to them, the difference in the unit’s efficiency will start to get extremely noticeable!
The refrigerant is one of the most critical components of the air conditioning system, so the engineer will check the refrigerant levels, and test for any leaks using specialised equipment. As they’re doing it, they’ll also take care to capture any that needs removing from the system, as simply releasing it into the atmosphere can have a devastating impact on the environment. Similarly, the engineer will take care to ensure that the condensate drains are working correctly, and aren’t obstructing efficiency by stopping the unit from properly reducing humidity.
Finally, the engineer will review all the electronic and mechanical aspects of the air conditioning system, tightening connections where necessary, as well as oiling the motors and checking the smooth running of the belts. The engineer will also check the accuracy of the thermostat, and that the system is fully capable of achieving the temperature that the thermostat dictates.
There are, of course, people who are reasonably well informed about air conditioning systems, and may decide that it’s cheaper to try and do it themselves rather than using a professional engineer to carry out the repairs. We’ve previously published a blog about why fixing your air conditioning system yourself is not a good idea, and trust us, it’s as relevant as it’s ever been! It’s always best to book a professional service and maintenance – which you can do right here on our site! Just click here to get your free quote, or give us a call on 01282 863 825 to book over the phone.