Your guide to getting your air conditioner summer ready

With hot days and soaring temperatures well and truly here, we share our top maintenance tips for getting your air conditioner summer ready.

A well-maintained air conditioner will keep you cool and comfortable this summer and can also:

• Reduce your home’s energy use and lower costs
• Improve air quality
• Reduce the chance of an emergency breakdown or costly repairs of your AC
• Create a healthier and more comfortable home environment
• Increase the lifespan of your air conditioner

Simple cleaning and maintenance can easily be performed yourself. For major service and repairs, always refer to a qualified service technician.

Safety first! Before you start any repair, make sure you disconnect your appliance from the power source. An air conditioner is an electrical appliance that needs to be treated with extreme care. 

Clean the filters

Your filters work to clean the air that circulates through your heating and cooling system. Filters trap airborne dust, particles and contaminants that could affect your health and comfort. If your filters are dirty or clogged, they can cause your unit to malfunction. By reducing the airflow inside your system, your air conditioner will be forced to work harder. This in turn increases energy use and raises your energy bill. The good news is that cleaning your filters is an easy task. We recommend cleaning your filters at the start of each season. In addition, your filters may also require a monthly clean during periods of high use.

If your filters are damaged, you can install replacement filters. Check out Statewide for the biggest range of air conditioner filters.

To clean your filters, remove them from their housing. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove excess dust, grime and debris. Next wash your filters in warm, soapy water (a soft bristled brush is great for this task). Alternatively take them outside and use a hose to spray the filters clean. Let the filters dry thoroughly before placing them back in the housing.

Handy tip! If you want to reach ‘hard to get’ places, consider a Quick Clean Kit.

Need a step-by-step guide to cleaning your air conditioner filters? Check out our blog guide or watch our video on our YouTube channel.

Clean the indoor unit’s louvres and vents

You can vacuum these with a dusting brush attachment to get rid of excess dust. Alternatively give them a wipe with a dry microfibre cloth.

Adjust your AC temperature and mode

Don’t forget to change your air conditioner to cooling mode before the hot weather strikes.

For best energy efficiency, set the thermostat to the right temperature. The most efficient temperature varies, depending on the season and climate where you live.  As an approximate guide, a standard air conditioner’s temperature should be set to 24-25 degrees for summer cooling. 

Do read our top 10 energy saving tips for your air conditioner.

Tidy and clean the area surrounding your outdoor unit

Give the exterior of your AC a clean with a soft damp cloth. Wipe the housing and vents to remove dirt and dust. Check that the unit is clear from leaves, cobwebs and debris. Use a boom or brush to clear. It is a good idea to keep it clean and tidy at all times as any stray debris may impede air flow.

Book in a professional service

Much like your car, your air conditioner can benefit from an annual service from a qualified service technician. They can diagnose problems quickly before they become a big and often costly issue.  Service technicians can do a variety of tasks. They can conduct thorough cleaning of condenser and evaporator coils, check coolant levels and check critical components such as the thermostat, evaporator unit, fan motor, compressor and condenser for any problems.

With regular maintenance and care, you can ensure your air conditioner is performing at its best. That means a cooler, more comfortable home during the hot summer months.

All the latest on the Statewide blog

Visit our blog where you can find our top energy saving tips for your air conditioner and a troubleshooting guide to air conditioning that is not cooling your home.

Check out our YouTube channel

Need help with your home appliance repairs and maintenance? Check out our DIY videos on our YouTube Channel. All the expert hints and tips to make appliance repairs a breeze!

If you are after air conditioner spares, we’ve got you covered. Statewide Appliance Spares have Australia’s biggest range of air conditioning spare parts including filters, remote controls, fans and PCB’s  for all the leading brands.