Servicing your air conditioning system is essential for air quality, energy efficiency and the health of your system. Without proper maintenance, you could incur leaks, dust and dirt build-up, or void your warranty. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about regularly maintaining and servicing your air conditioning units to stay cool this summer.
How often should you service your unit?
Servicing, for any machine, should be regular. A good rule to follow is a twice a year servicing, which works for home and smaller businesses. However, larger industrial units may need more regular maintenance as they’ll collect debris quicker. Either way, I-HT offer maintenance contracts for as little as £85 plus VAT.
What’s the servicing process?
Air conditioning servicing makes sure all components of your unit are working in the right way. Firstly, a technician will check there is no water dripping into the AC system and will filter this water. Then the filters will be cleaned of debris, so this isn’t put back into the air; the fins will be cleaned and checked for mould. AC fans, coolant levels and an overall inspection of the working machine will be carried out.
What are the benefits of regular Air Conditioning servicing?
Regular services are, firstly, useful to conduct an in-depth clean on your machine. They are money-saving, as they reduce the risk of breakdowns or replacement costs, as well as energy efficiency which saves money. Improved air quality and a better working, quieter machine at a good temperature will increase staff productivity in many environments. By complying with F-Gas legislation, you guarantee the longevity of unit life.
The European Union’s F-Gas regulation (no. 842/2006) regulates the use of refrigerant F-Gases. The regulation aims to minimise emissions of these gases which affect global warming if they escape into the air. Due to the refrigerant gases contained in air conditioning systems, it’s important to always have a reputable service supplier maintain your equipment. Current Uk law requires:
All air conditioning systems with over 3kg of Gas must be checked at least yearly. (Environmental Protection Act (EC) no 842/2006)
All service personnel must be certified to work on air conditioning systems (Environmental Protections Act (EC) no 842/2006)
All uses of R22 gas will be banned from 1st Jan 2015, this includes any service activity. (EU Regulation 1005/2009)
It’s important to be aware that the operator of any air conditioning is legally responsible for ensuring the system is regularly checked for leaks under current F-Gas regulations.
IHT Ltd is fully F-Gas certified as well as our engineers and we recommend a service be completed every 6 months, however, the frequency is dependant on the operating environment. Our standard service consists of two service visits per year to check and test operation, electrical connections and clean and disinfect the system.
3 Tips for getting more efficiency from your Air Conditioning system:
Energy efficiency is of increasing concern to workplaces, both on the cost and carbon footprint fronts. Here are some ways in which you can get more efficiency from your unit:
- Control and Setpoint: Setting operation times and set-point temperatures will enhance efficiency as you’ll only use the unit when you most need it.
- Insulation: to preserve the thermal insulation of your unit, pipework should be checked regularly for vapour seal breaks, which can cause condensation and decrease efficiency.
- Service and Maintenance: General maintenance is essential, as a poorly maintained unit can consume up to 60% more energy.
We offer regular service and maintenance plans for as little as £85+vat.
If you have an air conditioning unit that needs servicing by experienced professionals or is looking to buy a unit for your workplace, contact I-HT for a free no-obligation quote today.
