Archives for December 2013

Your ducted air conditioning is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home. It is there at the flick of a switch, helping you to maintain the correct temperature in both summer and winter. Sometimes we forget how much we rely on air conditioning in the home and office, only to realise exactly what it means should it break down. Neglecting your ducted air conditioning may not cause it to break down straight away, but it will increase the cost of running it and will reduce its overall longevity.

What could go wrong with your ducted air conditioner?

Here are four of the more common problems experienced with ducted air conditioners:

Air leakage

Poorly sealed pipes and ducts mean cold/ hot air leaks before reaching where it should. It is estimated that leaking pipes and ducts can cause air conditioning units to work up to 40% harder to maintain the temperature you want: and that directly impacts on the cost of your air conditioned environment.

Plastic Fittings

Plastic fittings can warp, crack, break, and melt. All of these cause air leakages and inconsistent performance of air conditioning, leading to extra running expense.

Poor air balance

Sometimes the air flow balance falls out of synch, causing room temperatures to do likewise. This isn’t just a drain on cash, but a drain on you as you constantly try to manually maintain control, turning air conditioning on and off room by room. This could be caused by too much back pressure, which will put strain on pipes and fittings, decreasing the life of your air conditioning system.

Filter clogging

Filters become clogged with debris and cease to work properly. Not only does this mean your unit has to work harder, but also that the air pumped into your home is not as fresh as it should be.

What you can do

Routine maintenance such as filter cleaning and changing can be done by most owners, and you should certainly brush out dirt and other obstructions from units at regular intervals.

The more adept of owners may be able to check for duct leakage and make seals good. But replacing parts and undertaking a full service should only ever be undertaken by a qualified air conditioning technician.

If your system is producing less cold air than it should, then there may be a problem with refrigerant or airflow. That would be time to call a technician to conduct emergency repairs.

The best way to ensure your ducted air conditioner is working at peak performance – and least cost – is to ensure it is serviced at regular intervals. Experience shows that the best time to conduct such services is when the requirement for your air conditioning changes: that will be at the end of the summer and the end of the winter.

With over 30 years continuous experience in the Brisbane area, Brisbane Air’s technicians and staff have built their reputation on their helpfulness as well as their expertise. At this time of year, one of the recurring themes is our customers’ desire to know how to get the best from their ducted air conditioner during the long hot months. So we’ve put together this simple guide answering the questions we get asked the most about ducted air conditioners.

First, ducted air conditioners do not give instant heat or cold. It takes time to cool a home, especially if it has been closed up for any period of time. Walls, floors, and ceilings will retain heat that needs to be expelled before your home can become cool. The hotter the house, the longer this process will take and the harder the ducted air conditioner will have to work.

A ducted air conditioner produces condensation in the summer months, which drains away through a condensate line.

Tip 1

Fit your system with a Safety Condensate Tray, which will prevent ceiling damage.  

At Brisbane Air, this is a standard part of the installation process for all new ducted installation jobs.

Tip 2

If you notice a constant drip from the safety drain outlet, call a technician immediately: your main drain may be blocked and will need to be cleared.

Don’t expect your ducted air conditioner to perform miracles. In extreme conditions it will run harder and faster, trying to balance the indoor temperature with the temperature you’ve set.  Ducted air conditioners do require regular servicing.

Tip 3

The ideal cooling temperature is between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. Setting your thermostat to this level will ensure maximum efficiency and comfort throughout the summer.

A ducted air conditioner system is controlled by motorised controllers. These take a few minutes to ‘warm up’.

Tip 3

Always leave the system for 3 to 5 minutes before restarting after it has been switched off. This will help avoid blowing fuses and damaging the compressor.

Sudden and large changes in thermostat settings may result in blown fuses or system damage, including expensive compressor damage.

Tip 4

Never move the thermostat control by more than 2 degrees Celsius while in Auto operation mode. Doing so may mean a sudden change from heating to cooling and vice versa, with the effect being somewhat similar to crunching a car into reverse from second gear.

If you buy a quality ducted air conditioning system and have it professionally installed by a well respected and experienced company like Brisbane Air, and then look after the system properly, including  regular service and maintenance, it will perform better and should last much longer.

Tip 5

Always ensure your filter is clean, especially just before and after the summer period. Also, keep your outside unit free from overgrowing trees and shrubs.

The filter helps to keep the air in your home clean and fresh, and is a major element in ducted air conditioner systems.

Of course, the most important thing is to always maintain your system. The technicians at Brisbane Air are here to help. If you have any problems with your ducted air conditioning system in Brisbane, then we are here to help. Before you call, though, here are a few things you should check:

• Have any fuses blown?
• Is the filter clean?
• Has the main switch been turned off?
• Is the thermostat set correctly?

There you have it: five simple do’s and don’ts that will help you get the best out of your ducted air conditioner system throughout a long hot summer.