What is Carried out During an Air Conditioning Service?

What gets done during an air conditioning service depends entirely on the type of system you have, when it was serviced last and whether or not the system is in need of repairs.  Of course, all of this should be taken into account when it comes to price.

The steps carried out in a standard air-conditioning service are based on the type of system you have on your property.

Servicing a ducted air conditioning system

Our qualified technician would first check the controller, ensure all the functions are working correctly, as well as checking the time and clock settings are accurate.  The controller is typically the wall-mounted unit, used to control the air conditioning system itself, including the temperature, and which mode you put it on.

Ducted systems may also include specified zones.  Our technician will check these zones are all operating correctly and verify the airflow is consistent.  The supply air grilles, the return air grilles, and the filters are all inspected.  The filters are thoroughly cleaned or replaced if necessary as well.  Some filters are of a plastic variety, which generally means they can be washed and put back in, and don’t need replacing.  Some are of what we call a filter media, which is made of cloth.  They can be washed, but after a while, they’ll need to be replaced due to wear and tear.

If there’s no air coming out of one of the supply air grilles, our technicians will enter the roof space to check the ductwork.  The zone motor that supplies air to that grille will also be inspected to make sure that the motor hasn’t stopped working, or is in the incorrect position and therefore restricting airflow.

The outdoor unit is also checked to make sure no debris or foliage is obstructing the unit at the fans.  It’s also wiped down and cleaned.  We check the electrical components for any rust, corrosion or unwelcome residents such as rodents or insects inside the unit that can damage the system.

A crucial part of an air conditioning service involves checking the condensate drain.  When a condensate drain gets blocked in a ducted system, it will go to an overflow tray.  The tray is connected to a pipe, which usually comes out the side of your house somewhere such as a roof eve.  If it begins to drip it’s a sign that the condensate drain may be blocked.  If this is ignored, the tray can overflow and flood the roof space causing considerable damage.

Need to know:

• How often should it be serviced? It depends on use, but generally, in the home environment, we say an annual service is sufficient.
• How long will it take? A service on a ducted air conditioning system takes an hour or an hour and a half if no problems are discovered, and if access isn’t hindered in any way.
• How much will it cost? The price is based on accessibility to the system and if we will need to send one or two technicians to perform the service.  We offer servicing for residential systems on a price scale based on whether or not you are an existing client ($249), a new client ($259) or whether you’re part of our maintenance programme.  We charge on an hourly rate at 15-minute increments after the initial servicing fee if it takes longer than the stipulated time.

Servicing a split air conditioning system

Our technician would begin the service by checking that all the functions on the handheld controller are working correctly, such as the heating and cooling modes and the time and clock settings.

The airflow, the running pressures, and the condensate grill are then checked.  If the condensate grill becomes blocked with dirt and debris, it can lead to water coming out of the fan coil.  It then pours out of the indoor unit and down the wall.  They would clean the grilles and the face cover to prevent this.

The team will clean the filters and replace any if necessary.  Replacement filters on split air conditioning systems are manufacturer-specific, so they would need to be ordered.  But generally, they’re of a plastic variety and can be washed, cleaned, and put back in.

Need to know:

• How often should it be serviced? Usually annually is sufficient.  If it is in a kitchen, or you have lots of pets, you may need to do it more often as the atmosphere has more pollutants that collect.
• How long will it take? A service on a split air conditioning system takes an hour, or an hour and a half if no problems are discovered, and if access isn’t hindered in any way.
• How much will it cost? The price is based on accessibility and if we will need to send one or two technicians to perform the service.  We offer servicing for residential systems on a price scale based on whether or not you are an existing client ($179), a new client ($199) or whether you’re part of our maintenance programme.
• What about multi-split and bulkheads? The same servicing process is carried out on multi-split systems.  For bulkheads, you need to ensure you have an access panel for us to reach the service ports and the filters.  Please contact us for service quotes based on your specific setup.

Ready to work with us?

If your air conditioning system is due for its annual service, or if you’d just like to have us come out and inspect it, then give us a call today. We have fully insured, qualified technicians on standby ready to assist. Our expert team can provide more advice on air conditioning servicing in Sydney and are available to provide on-site service for air conditioning in Bondi, Vaucluse, Randwick, and other Eastern suburbs.