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How to protect your AC from extreme weather events?

Air Conditioning FAQs

With flash flooding, hail as big as tennis balls, smoke haze, extreme heat and dusty red rain, our air conditioning systems were given a work out over the summer period.

You might have noticed that after these extreme events your air conditioning system is not working at it’s peak; maybe it’s not cooling fast enough, you can hear weird noises when it’s turned on or there’s an unpleasant smell coming from the inside unit. Getting the system up and running at its best is essential not only to prevent energy wastage but also to ensure further damage does not occur. Of course there’s also the important matter of keeping you and your family comfortable throughout the year.

What can I do to restore my air conditioner’s efficiency?

If you think damage has occurred there are several things you can do. These include:

  1. Booking a service: Not just a good idea in terms of getting your unit up and running efficiently, but a service technician can also document any damaged equipment in their service report. This is useful for insurance purposes.
  2. Cleaning the system: Dust storms may have settled dust into pads of an evaporative cooling system. This dust can settle elsewhere in the sump of the system, blocking the pump and water spreaders with gunk. As this is likely it’s a good idea to have the whole system cleaned, even if you have had a recent service.
  3. Avoid possible leakage: Hail can damage the condenser coils of a split system air conditioner, greatly reducing the efficiency of your air conditioner and leading to system faults. Hail storms can also affect the cooler and pads of an evaporative cooler. This is likely to cause water leakage into your home, leading to other issues like damp. It is best to get these assessed by a technician and if necessary fixed or replaced. Humidity and moisture can also settle on electrical components, causing them to fuse and engage your circuit breaker. This means you won’t be able to use the system until a technician can repair the damage.
  4. Remove an environment where creatures might otherwise thrive: Heavy rain and storm conditions can see lizards, geckos, possums, snakes and ants in your garden looking for shelter, so it’s possible they may choose your system as their new warm, dry home. This can lead to a number of complications that will affect the performance of your airconditioning system. One of these is chewed wires; which may kill the animal, leaving a terrible smell throughout the house if it’s not removed.

How to care for your air conditioner?

The advantages of air conditioning include filtering out pollutants, reducing humidity and making the air cleaner for those who are asthmatic or prone to allergies. To enjoy these we need to take care of our existing systems or those that are to be installed. Not all maintenance for your air conditioning systems requires a professional but it is always best to get them to have a look. If you do want to complete some DIY maintenance always make sure that systems are unplugged before attempting anything.

Things you can do on your own include:

  1. Cleaning the outside of the inside unit: Remove any dust that may have accumulated on the outside of your unit. This may sound like a basic solution but removing dust can further avoid it getting inside the system and causing further issues.
  2. Paying attention to warning lights: For example if your filter light is on that means the unit is not performing at its peak. Now’s the time to consult your user manual to see if you can wash the filter or if it needs replacing. Some filters can be easily replaced or washed out so that’s one more cost-effective fix.
  3. Always Check: any other warning lights or error codes against your user manual. Some may require help from a technician.

When doing your own maintenance don’t forget your outdoor unit, as it will bear the brunt of extreme weather. Here you can:

  1. Check for debris: Storms and wind can break tree branches and throw leaves around. These may fall on or in your outdoor unit. A quick clean up around the unit will help it perform better.
  2. Wipe down the outside frame: Carefully remove any dust from the outside of the unit by giving it a wipe down.

Combining the expertise of technicians along with some basic maintenance can help put your air conditioning systems back on track, ready for winter or the next round of extreme weather. If you’re not sure about doing any of the maintenance yourself it’s best to book a service; after all air conditioning units run on potentially hazardous systems such as gas and electricity. This is also why booking a service from your local technician is a great idea; it gives you peace of mind that your system isn’t just running smoothly but also safely.

It’s also helpful to engage technicians and ask advice as they may be able to show you how to clean that filter or what to avoid when cleaning the outside of your units.

Getting professional assistance is generally our first recommendation when dealing with a drop in system efficiency. It’s the most effective choice to engage someone who knows your system inside and out, someone who can look at every possibility and apply safe solutions, returning your home and system to a comfortable space.

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