Is Your Air Conditioning System Summer Ready?

As we make our way through the last remaining weeks of winter and the weather slowly (but surely) begins to heat up, you'll likely want to prepare for the warmer months. Which means there's no better time than now to get your air conditioning system primed and summer-ready to bring cool air and climate-controlled comfort to your home.

When it comes to residential air conditioners, consistent maintenance makes all the world of difference to the comfort and energy efficiency they provide. It’s more or less essential to helping you stay cool without unnecessarily exorbitant energy bills.

No matter what type of air conditioning solution you have in your home, taking the time to prepare it for heavy summer use can save money and prevent unwanted breakdowns. So let’s explore how to get your AC summer-ready.

Assessing Your Current Air Conditioning System

Before the summer weather really hits, we strongly recommend you assess whether your air conditioner is capable of keeping your home comfortable.

Start by evaluating its performance. Does it sufficiently cool your home or does it struggle to meet your desired temperature? Check both the indoor and outdoor units for signs of wear and tear, signs such as unusual noises, weak airflow, or inconsistent cooling. Consider the age of your system; older air conditioners might be less energy efficient and more susceptible to breakdowns.

If you’re unsure whether your existing system meets your air conditioning needs, it might be time to consult a professional to ensure you’re fully prepared for the heat. In this case, a new air conditioner might be on the cards.

The Benefits of Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance

Regular maintenance for air conditioners provides many benefits that can improve general comfort and efficiency throughout your home. Here’s why keeping your air con in top shape is so important:

• Better energy efficiency: Consistent maintenance keeps your system running smoothly. It cuts down your energy consumption and leads to lower bills.
• Extended lifespan: Thorough servicing can breathe new life into air conditioning units, which means you may be able to hold off on replacing yours for just a little bit longer.
• Improved air quality: Clean filters and internal components contribute to healthier indoor air. You can significantly minimise the presence of allergens and dust, which is great for people who tend to suffer during the hay fever season.
• Preventative care: Routine inspections can identify potential issues before they become major problems that need expensive repairs.

By keeping on top of your maintenance obligations, your air conditioner has the best chance at staying reliable and energy efficient all summer long.

The Role of a Licensed Air Conditioning Technician

For comprehensive pre-summer maintenance of your air conditioning system, always book your service with a licensed air con technician.

A licensed technician has the expertise to install, repair, and service various air conditioning units, and will make sure your outdoor and indoor units are in peak working order. If you need a replacement, they can recommend the right size air conditioner for your home. This will help you avoid issues like insufficient cooling capacity or excessive energy usage. Experienced, reputable air con technicians can also identify and fix potential problems before they blow out into expensive repairs. It might be something as simple as a filter change or a refrigerant regas.

By entrusting your air con to a licensed technician, you can rest easy knowing they’ve installed or serviced it according to strict industry standards.

Understanding Different Types of Air Conditioning Units

Choosing the right air conditioning unit for your home starts with understanding the different types available. Each system offers unique benefits that cater to various needs:

• Split system air conditioners: Split system air conditioners are perfect for cooling individual rooms. They feature a wall-mounted indoor unit and a single outdoor unit.
• Ducted air conditioners: Better suited to whole-house cooling rather than a single room. Ducted systems distribute cooled air to multiple rooms with the aid of hidden ducts installed throughout the entire home.
• Portable air conditioners: Great for flexibility, allowing you to move the unit from room to room.
• Reverse cycle air conditioners: These can be ducted or split system air conditioners. They provide both heating and cooling which makes them a much-loved solution for year-round comfort.

By understanding these options, you can select the air conditioning system that best meets the heating and cooling needs of your home.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Your Air Conditioning System

A more energy-efficient air conditioner offers two key benefits. It helps you lower your energy bills and also reduces your environmental impact.

If you’re looking at a new air conditioner for your home, specifically split systems, the first step is to look at the Zoned Energy Rating Label. Compare models to look at the number of stars. The more stars on the label means greater energy efficiency. It’s important to note that only single-phase, non-ducted air conditioners are required by law to prominently display an Energy Rating Label. Other systems can, but it’s not mandatory.

As with many air conditioner features and functions, regular maintenance will help you get the most efficient performance from your system. Simple tasks like cleaning or replacing the filters and making sure your indoor and outdoor units are free of obstructions will help your system run all the more smoothly.

Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home

Of course, there will inevitably come a time when your existing air con system will come to the end of its natural life and needs replacing. An upgrade offers the perfect opportunity to choose the system that best suits the current needs of your home, while also considering the next 10-15 years.

Start by assessing the size of the space you need to cool— wall mounted split systems are great for single rooms while a ducted system will suitably accommodate multiple rooms or your whole home. Look for models with high energy ratings to enjoy maximum efficiency with minimum energy bills. It’s also worth exploring reverse cycle options for year-round heating and cooling.

Carefully choosing the right air conditioner will go a long way towards improving the overall comfort and efficiency of your home.

Preparing for Year-Round Comfort

Getting your air conditioner heating and cooling ready means you’ll have a system that provides comfort for all seasons. Here’s how to best prepare your home:

• Invest in a reverse cycle air conditioner: They provide efficient cooling in summer and warm air in winter, making it a versatile choice. They come as ducted and split system ACs so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from .
• Set the right target temperature: Adjust your settings seasonally to maintain comfort without overloading your system.
• Schedule regular maintenance: Keep your system in top shape to handle both warm and cold weather efficiently.
• Insulate your home: Proper insulation helps maintain the desired temperature, reducing the strain and energy load on your air conditioner.

By following these steps, you can enjoy a comfortable home all year round, regardless of the weather.

The Importance of Air Quality and Clean Filters

Keeping the filters in your air conditioner fresh and clean is vital to maintaining healthy air quality in your home.

Clean filters are more capable of collecting the dust, allergens and other pollutants that would otherwise contaminate the air circulating throughout your house. Clogged and dirty filters cause blockages that can reduce airflow, so we recommend consistently checking and cleaning or replacing your filters.

In addition to better air quality, clean filters help lower your energy consumption. This is due to your air conditioner not needing to work quite as hard to maintain the desired temperature. By making regular filter maintenance a priority, you can enjoy fresher, healthier air and extend the lifespan of your air conditioning system.

Stay Cool and Comfortable All Summer

Getting your air conditioning system summer-ready is key to enjoying a cool and comfortable home during the hottest months of the year.

To keep your air conditioner working at its best, start by checking your current setup and scheduling regular maintenance. You might even want to consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. Clean filters and professional servicing are key to keeping things running smoothly.

Whether you have a split system air conditioner, ducted air conditioning or evaporative cooling, these simple steps will help you stay cool and comfortable all summer long.

Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “Is Your Air Conditioning System Summer Ready?”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See After Hours Air Conditioning’s Terms & Conditions here.