Winter is here: prepping your air conditioning unit
13 May 2019
Brrrr! Winter has arrived. It’s the time of the year when we pack our swimsuits and switch our air conditioning from cooling to heating to keeping us warm and cosy in these cold and dormant months, and as always – a little preventative maintenance can often save a lot of expense and inconvenience down the track. While Daikin air conditioners are built to withstand the variations of the seasons with minimum maintenance, even the most reliable unit can benefit further from a little tender loving care.
An important note before we begin: when it comes to servicing, you should always use a licensed technician with the ARC Tick of approval. Someone unqualified attempting a more complicated task can cause more harm than good, and can prove very costly! If it’s been a while since your last service, post-Summer is a great time to organise a professional check-up. But even if your unit’s been running smoothly, there are a few things you can do to make sure it continues to function at its best over the colder months.
Filters first.
After a Summer of heavy use, your filters may well have accumulated a lot of dirt, so it will pay to clean or replace them. Not only do clean filters ensure better air quality, they also allow your unit to run more efficiently (which can have big cost savings – always handy!).
According to Energy Star, you should clean or replace your filters every month, especially in peak times like Summer or Winter when your unit is working hard. If you’re unsure of how to do this, head to our article on filters – you can find step by step instructions there, plus some useful info about filters in general. You'll also find more useful tips on Daikin’s YouTube channel . If you had no idea that refreshing filters was a ‘must’, don’t feel bad – many people have never even checked theirs! But it’s certainly a wise move, and an easy way to prevent issues down the track.
Keeping it clean.
Filters fresh and good to go? Great – now there are just a few more boxes to tick. The next one: a simple clean. Start by switching the power off and checking your instruction manual (if you can find it in that kitchen drawer!) to see if your unit has any specific requirements. Next, turn your attention to the internal louvres – give them a good vacuum and wipe off any dust.
Then, head outside and clean your outdoor unit to remove any bird droppings, dead bugs, dirt and cobwebs. We also recommend keeping the unit clear of surrounding leaves, branches and grass.
Don’t pump up the heat too high.
To perform at its most efficient, your air conditioning unit should ideally be set no higher than 21-22°C. Setting your thermostat back even by a few degrees can reduce energy consumption by 5 to 10%.
Explore others ways to keep things cosy.
Take the time to do a thorough audit of your home, and find any spots that need draft-proofing. Little devices like draft excluders and window seals are cheap to buy, and can make a big difference, and you can even install them if you’re renting. It may be wise to checking your home’s insulation too: while it is a bit of a pain to replace, it can be well worth the trouble if it’s damaged or no longer working effectively.
Of course, if you’re looking at buying a new air conditioner for winter, there are a number of factors to consider that can help keep you warm all winter, and cool all summer.
Contact us, we can come and have a look at your home and make an informed recommendation.