As commercial properties have become more technologically advanced, so too have the systems used to keep occupants safe, secure, healthy and productive.
When it comes to heating and cooling many businesses now rely on high tech commercial air conditioning units to keep their buildings comfortable.
Modern systems are designed to be more energy-efficient than older generations of systems and the refrigerants they use today are manufactured to have less impact on the environment than their previous counterparts. They also offer additional benefits such as the ability to dehumidify and remove pollutants and other particles from indoor air thereby improving its quality.
If you’re currently considering an AC installation or need to know How often should air conditioning units be serviced in the UK this article should bring you up to speed quickly.
Here, we cover all you need to know about maintaining your air conditioning system effectively, keeping it in great working order and running as energy efficiently as possible.
How Often Should You Service Your UK Air Conditioning Units?
Typically, Air Conditioning units should be inspected, cleaned and serviced at least once per year. At Yee Group we recommend a service visit to your premises every 6 months to maintain your manufacturer’s warranty.
Systems in demanding commercial or industrial environments can suffer from a build-up of dirt and grime at a faster rate than units in less harsh conditions and because they often run for much longer periods of time, As a result, they can suffer from wear and tear much more quickly if left unserviced.
A visit by an AC maintenance engineer for pre-planned maintenance, will ensure that your air conditioning system is kept in good condition and avoid potential issues at an early stage.
Why Is It Important to Service Your AC Units?
There are various reasons why it’s essential to service your AC units regularly and have a maintenance programme in place.
Efficiency
Firstly, a bi-annual service contract will help to ensure that your AC unit is running at peak efficiency.
Legal Requirement
F-Gas checks are a legal requirement of operating air conditioning equipment.
Environmental Protection
Regular servicing will help save you money on your energy bills and help you protect the environment by minimising your energy use.
Avoid Costly Repairs
In addition to this, a bi-annual AC service will help you avoid unexpected breakdowns.
While some wear and tear is normal, if your system gets too dirty, it is more likely to break down due to components not working as efficiently as they should. For example a dirty fan impeller will put strain on the motor and you may be forced to replace it prematurely.
Indoor Air Quality
If you neglect the servicing of your AC system, it will not perform as it should. An air conditioning system is designed to remove dust, CO2, moisture and pollutants including viruses from the air using a filter, so it is absolutely essential to keep this clean. If your system’s air filters clog up with dust and other airborne particles, then the system cannot work effectively.
If indoor air quality declines, then employees and customers can suffer from overheating and a lack of concentration and over time respiratory problems can occur.
Maintain your manufacturer’s warranty.
Without a maintenance regime in place, the manufacturer of your air conditioning units is unlikely to honour your warranty. It is often a prerequisite of the equipment’s guarantee.
What Does An Annual AC Unit Service Entail?
A bi-annual AC unit service visit by an F-Gas certified engineer entails more than a technician giving your systems a visual inspection.
Your air conditioning service engineer will perform a checklist of tasks including but not limited to the following:
A Walkthrough of your AC installation
The technician should walk through your AC system and check that it’s functioning as it should. They should also ensure it has been installed correctly to suit your business’ current needs.
Visual Inspections of the Components
The technician will visually inspect all your AC components, including the coils, fan impellors and motors, condensate removal other internal and external components of your AC unit to ensure that they’re functioning correctly.
When Should You Service Your AC Unit Immediately?
There can be a few instances where you should immediately perform Maintenance of air conditioning system, these can be as follows.
If Your AC System Is Making Unusual Noises
If you notice that your system is making noises, you should have it investigated as soon as possible.
There are many different mechanical parts that could be causing these noises, and you don’t want to risk having them break down or cause damage to other components.
If Your AC System seems to be faulty
You should also have investigations carried out on your unit immediately if you notice that it has poor air flow, is leaking, or is producing a bad smell.
This could signify that the unit may be clogged and needs to be cleaned immediately. For Air conditioning maintenance Burton on Trent, read on.
If Your AC System Breaks Down
If your AC unit breaks down, you’ll want to get it inspected and repaired as soon as possible.
What Are The Advantages Of Having A Professionally Maintained AC System
Cleanliness: Commercial air conditioning units are often installed in workplaces where the temperature, moisture levels, pollutants and gases such as CO2 need to be controlled. These demanding indoor environments, which are often created by the people and machines employed in buildings, rely upon a well performing air conditioning system to keep them comfortable.
A professional AC bi-annual service will clean your system and make sure that it’s component parts are adequately maintained. This will keep it running smoothly and effectively.
Avoiding Premature Breakdowns: Dirt and dust build up can be one of the most common causes of AC breakdowns. Unexpected breakdowns can be costly in terms of productivity as well as the cost of repairs – they also often happen when you need your system the most. So improve the reliability of your system, by using a professional AC maintenance engineer to undertake regular maintenance.
Improved Energy Efficiency: The Maintenance of air conditioning systems will help you keep your energy bills down. It will also protect the environment by using less energy.
Summing Up
When looking at the question of How often should air conditioning units be serviced in the UK, we know that if you neglect the servicing of your AC system, it will not perform correctly. The system’s efficiency will decline overtime and its performance will reduce i.e. its ability to cool or heat the building will be impaired. So regular servicing is essential.
Regularly maintaining your AC systems will help prevent premature component failure and help the system be economical and efficient.
