Air conditioners have made life a lot more comfortable for employees in the summertime. After all, we rely on these systems to keep us cool throughout the warmest of days when we dare not step outside.
However, like all mechanical devices, air conditioners require regular maintenance. This is especially true during the summertime when cooling systems are running near-constantly.
The importance of air conditioner maintenance
Most people think about air conditioning maintenance only once their cooling unit has stopped working. But the truth is that most air cooling systems require regular maintenance to function at their best. Failing to take care of your cooling system will eventually lead to it breaking down and requiring extensive repairs.
Why do air conditioners need maintenance?
Air conditioners rely on their external condenser coils to deliver cool air to the inside of your office. These coils have a natural tendency to accumulate dirt and dust over time. However, using your air conditioning more frequently (such as in the summer) can speed up the rate at which particles build up in the coils.
When enough dust and/or dirt accumulate, they will act as a barrier between the air blowing over the condenser coils and the heat from the refrigerant traveling through coils themselves.
On a clean coil, the heat from this refrigerant would be expelled outside your office. However, when a significant layer of dirt and dust cakes the surface of your coils, they won’t be able to expel heat as effectively.
This reduced cooling capacity leads people to run their air conditioning for longer, which only drives up their energy bill. If that wasn’t bad enough, your air conditioner will eventually break down from being overworked.
No business owner wants to be stuck without conditioning at their office. Maintaining a cool office temperature is crucial during summer months to ensure your employee and customers are comfortable.
In addition to providing cool air, well-maintained air conditioners can filter out some pollutants such as dust and bacteria to deliver clean air to the inside of your office.
How often should I maintain my air conditioning?
Air conditioner maintenance should be performed at least once a year. Many business owners service their cooling systems right before summer rolls around.
How is air conditioner maintenance done?
It’s possible to perform air conditioner system maintenance yourself. You will need to access the evaporator coils behind your unit in order to clean them.
However, these are usually located behind a panel, so you may need to unscrew some components. You can then clean the dirt buildup using compressed air or a brush.
For more heavy-duty cleaning, you may have to use commercial cleaner or detergent. Some cases require the use of pressure washers and steam cleaners, which may be difficult for untrained people to use.
If you’re not up to the task of maintaining your air conditioning system yourself, you should seek the services of a professional air conditioner technician.