DIY or Professionals In AC Cleaning? Take The Right Action!

Did you know regular air condition cleaning Melbourne can not only guarantee its proper functioning but also prolong its life span? Indeed, your AC units can go on strike after some time if you discount the importance of proper air conditioner maintenance.

To keep your air conditioner working optimally and efficiently – diffusing fresh air during the summer and warm air in the winter – let’s see what you can do on your own and when’s the time you need an expert in the field to do it on your behalf.

DIY Air Condition Cleaning

Before placing your air-con into service again, regular cleaning is very much needed to ensure your AC unit stays energy-efficient and to prevent more extensive mechanical maintenance in the long run.

While you can do it yourself, it is only limited to normal AC cleaning, such as scrubbing the air-con filters and wiping the air conditioner plastic cover. Well, if you have experience or are familiar with cleaning machinery of the like, you could even do some cleaning attempts for the different units of your air conditioner and fix minor leakage issues.

Here we have sorted out for you a few DIY tactics to cleaning your air-con:

• Disconnect The Power

Always remember to turn off the electricity before performing any DIY air conditioner maintenance. Shut down the circuit breakers and wait for approximately half an hour.

• Clean/Change The Filter

All air conditioning units, especially those utilised in busy and highly-trafficked places, can become dusty and filthy as they are operated over time. Also, throughout the winter, your furnace/air conditioning filter might gather dust, which can obstruct the airflow of your AC unit, circulate dust in your home, and in some situations, cause a system breakdown.

Apart from that, other issues may arise as the airflow is restricted and slowed. For instance, your air conditioner may be frosted over, causing low airflow, increased moisture from the unit and gross mould problems. The good news is that all this can be bypassed with the change or cleaning of the filter every so often (once or twice a month).

First of all, eliminate as much dust as possible from the filters with a vacuum cleaner. Followed by wiping them using soapy water. Voila! A clean filter you have. Place them back in the AC unit once they are thoroughly dry.

Nevertheless, be firm to replace those in poor condition with the new ones. You shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to spending money on things that improve your health and quality of life. Furthermore, it helps to reduce the power consumption of an air conditioner by 5-15%!

• Clear Debris In & Around The Unit

Typically, an air conditioning system comprises an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.

The outdoor unit

Installed on or near the exterior wall, the outdoor unit, which houses the compressor, condenser coil and expansion coil or capillary tubing, is subject to hazards such as contaminants or debris. In any event, you are advised to give your AC unit a good clean semiannually, but only at a superficial level.

What you can do, by hand, or with the aid of a shop vac, is to remove anything that might have gotten stuck, like leaves, twigs, dirt, sand, etc. Then, drain the condensate and lastly wipe clean the exterior of the outdoor unit with a damp sponge.

The indoor unit

This sleek-looking unit is also at the mercy of dust. Human dead skin and hair, pets’ fur, the carcasses and waste products of tiny organisms like dust mites, smoke residue as well as worn-out bits of clothing and furniture, are some common sources of dust indoors.

So, start by removing the fan cage from the top of the unit. Use a wet sponge to clean all of its components, giving special attention to the air outlets, but do avoid using household chemicals that might damage them. After that, wipe the area clean with a dry cloth.

• Fix A Leakage

The most pressing issue with air conditioning systems is water leakage. Again, if the leak is not too severe, you may fix it yourself. To avoid damage to the rest of the equipment, simply unclog the air conditioner exhaust hose with a low-pressure water spray after detaching the cover from your unit.

However, we highly recommend you hire an experienced professional when it comes to AC unit maintenance and repair. Sometimes, an incorrect or faulty AC installation is possible to bring about water leakage.

Professional AC Cleaning Melbourne

For good measure, an air conditioner calls for a thorough cleaning at least once a year. Quarterly professional cleaning is recommended to bring back healthier indoor air quality, 22% less electricity consumption and better cooling power! However, it can be subjected to various aspects such as the frequency of usage, the environment, the lifestyle of the house occupants and so on.

Dust, grime, smoke and dirt that get trapped in the cooling coil will result in poor heat transfer, causing less cooling from the air conditioner. Also, the slim produced from the dirty cooling coil can clog the air conditioning drain piping, leading to an AC leak.

How does a Pro clean an AC unit?

With your health and comfort in mind, our fully trained cleaning specialists will perform a comprehensive 26-point cleaning procedure. 

• Use Safe, Non-Chemical Cleaning Agents

We use only eco-friendly and natural cleaning agents that can effectively break down built-up filth, grime, and mould.

• Pressure Clean the AC Unit

While the evaporated unit is cleaned under pressure, water is injected onto the barrel fan to safely dislodge the accumulated dirt and grime.

• Perform Air Flow Test

We will go with an anemometer to measure the air velocity in your home. Under normal circumstances, the reading after cleaning should show a higher airflow and cooler air.

Sounds technical? Stay worry-free with DuctMates.

Here leads to the next FAQ.

Q. Why should I hire a professional AC cleaning Melbourne team?

ANS: Leave the thorough chemical cleaning or overhaul to the professionals as the air conditioning unit must be disassembled and stripped apart, with each item being chemically cleaned separately. Don’t forget that the AC unit parts need to be reassembled and installed upon completion. Only a qualified air conditioning contractor will be able to do the task properly and efficiently.

Also, a skilful team can easily spot any hidden fault and nip it in the bud early. This will translate into long-term cost savings rather than having you throw a vast sum of money into fixing an air conditioner that has not been properly maintained on a regular basis.

Q. How does air conditioner cleaning reduce electricity bills?

ANS: The build-ups simply force your AC unit to work harder and for a longer period of time to achieve the same cooling result. In other words, a loss in efficiency will cause high electricity bills.

On the contrary, a squeaky clean air conditioner is able to deliver the desired temperature at a quicker speed and run at a steady pace to maintain the temperature. Hence, reducing the energy usage significantly.

Q. How does a dirty air conditioner affect my health?

ANS: An air conditioner can be a source of severe health issues. Other than dirt, dust and grime, a filthy air conditioner often builds a perfect breeding ground for mould and bacteria. Every time the air conditioner is switched on, mould spores, bacteria, and pollutants are circulated through the house, potentially causing illness.

It may start with minor flu, but followed by colds, fevers, headaches and fatigue. Worst, respiratory issues for those who are immunocompromised.

Q. How can I benefit from air condition cleaning Melbourne?

ANS : It may cost you a little more for calling in a professional AC cleaning Melbourne, especially for the reversible air conditioning units. But, it is worthwhile as our team holds expertise in AC cleaning, subsequently helping you…

• Boost air quality by eradicating dangerous germs, mould, and bacteria.
• Improve airflow in your home sweet home.
• Enhance heating and cooling performance by up to 4⁰C.
• Increase the lifespan of your air conditioner.
• Improved waiting time to get to your optimum temperature faster.
• Provide a safer living space for asthmatics and allergy sufferers.

Q. How do I know if my AC unit is dirty?

ANS : It’s easy. Check if your air conditioner has the following symptoms:

• AC unit loses its cooling capacity
• AC unit takes longer to achieve the desired temperature
• AC unit produces strange noise and unpleasant odour

DIY or Professionals? Both can work … (with a proper balance)

Now that we have explored what can be done by yourself as the owner, and what is best left to the professionals, it’s for you to decide which to opt for in different periods of time.

When in doubt, call a professional. DuctMates is ever ready to provide you with the most professional advice and service in air condition cleaning Melbourne. To learn more about us or to schedule an AC unit clean and safety inspection, talk to a DuctMates expert today at 1300 238 287!