Imagine reaching for the remote on a sweltering 38 degree Mandurah afternoon in February, pressing the button, hearing the unit come to life and then waiting. And waiting. The room starts to get a tiny bit cooler rather than because the system’s actually starting to work, the unit runs continuously, and by the time the sun starts to set it’s still not reached the temperature you set that morning. That’s not a unit that’s just failed overnight, it’s the result of years of neglect catching up at the worst possible moment. And for people in the Mandurah area, it’s a pretty miserable experience: air conditioning is not optional, and the difference between a well looked after system and one that’s been left to deteriorate is like night and day, especially during the first real heatwave of the summer.

The Peel Region Lays Down Some Pretty Hefty Demands On Aircon Equipment

Mandurah and the surrounding Peel region are in a coastal spot, and that means that in summer you get a regular combination of hot weather and high humidity, putting a load on aircon units that’s unlike anything you’d get inland. The compressors and fan motors in aircons around Mandurah are working flat out, not just for a day or two, but for weeks on end through the hot weather. That wears them out a lot faster than the same equipment used in cooler climates. And when you’ve got the ocean and estuary right on your doorstep, you get a real problem with corrosion on outdoor units, you’ve got to keep an eye on aluminium fins and copper refrigerant lines a lot more frequently than you would with an aircon in the middle of nowhere. Even the Australian Government has said that aircon accounts for a big chunk of electricity we use in our homes through summer in coastal WA, and a system that’s not working properly just makes that bill even higher.

What A Proper Aircon Service Actually Involves?

Filter cleaning is probably the bit of any service that gets the most attention, and it’s also the bit that most people seem to think is the whole job. But the state of your filters says nothing about the real state of your system, what about those coils on the inside of the aircon that just get clogged up with dust and mould over time? That’s got a direct impact on both the quality of the air you’re breathing in and how well your aircon actually cools your house. Checking the refrigerant level is another story altogether, you need the right gear, and you’ve got to be licensed to do it. Any service that skips that bit is basically not doing the job, regardless of how cheap they are.

Here are some other things that should be part of a proper service:

• Electrical connection inspection, that means checking contactors, capacitors, and wiring terminals to make sure they’re all in good shape and not wearing out.
• Clearing the drain pan and drain line, that’s something that often gets left out of budget services. If that gets blocked, water can start to back up inside the aircon and cause real problems.

Split System Versus Ducted: Servicing Is A Bit Different

Split systems, the ones you see in most older homes around Mandurah, are pretty straightforward in theory. In practice, though, those indoor units are often in rooms that aren’t all that easy to get to, so a thorough cleaning can be a lot more hassle than it looks. Ducted systems have a few extra requirements of their own, like checking the ducts for leaks or disconnections, and making sure those dampers are working properly. And of course, in newer estates around Mandurah, there are more and more ducted systems that never get serviced at all, because they’re assumed to be new and therefore trouble free. But the reality is that even new systems need a bit of TLC every now and then to keep them running properly.

Red Flags That Suggest Your Service Cannot Wait

Lessened airflow through the vents when the AC is running at full speed could be a sign of blocked filter, broken fan motor or a dirty coil. If you have ice formation on the outdoor unit or refrigerant lines then it means you have low refrigerant levels, restricted airflow or broken expansion valve and should immediately get professional help. Foul smells coming from indoor vents mean there is mould growth on the evaporator coil or on the drain pan. Running your system non-stop without reaching the desired temperature means that it is underpowered or there are some serious performance issues.

Why Timing Matters In Getting The Right Service?

The best time of year to arrange an aircon service Mandurah is late autumn – from April to May. Your air conditioner has worked hard all summer and you can see new signs of wear, which you can inspect and fix. In addition, at this time of the year you are more likely to find contractors available than in springtime. Autumn service for reverse cycle systems ensures that your system will function properly both in summer and winter months, as it tests its heating mode as well.