How often should I have my Air Conditioner serviced?
An air conditioner, just like a car, needs regular maintenance and service to run efficiently. At Antec Electrics, we recommend getting your AC unit serviced and cleaned once a year. You should do this in the Spring to ensure that your unit will run with the most efficiency during the hottest Summer months. We understand just how necessary this is for your comfort.
Why is this important? It saves you money!
An air conditioner collects dirt and dust not just in the months when it is running, but continuously as it sits throughout the year. Simple things like replacing a dirty and clogged air filter can reduce your energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent. That means it costs less to run! We all love to save a little money, right? Paying for preventative service and maintenance will save you money on your monthly bill and, in the long run, will ensure that your AC unit continues to work efficiently and effectively.
There are quite a few things on the list for air conditioner service, not the least of which being air filters, compressor coils and condensate drains. Something to note is that condensate drains that can get clogged and prevent humidity reduction can in turn cause excess moisture that may discolor your walls or carpet. Maintenance on your unit would spot and prevent this from happening.
Should I worry about mould in my air conditioner?
Not all moulds are created equal. Mould is a microscopic organism; a fungus. There are good and bad moulds. For example, your camembert or brie cheese relies on mould for its distinctive flavour and texture. And where would we be without the wonder-drug penicillin? It’s derived from a type of mould that scientist Alexander Fleming stumbled across. Unfortunately, the types of mould you might discover lurking in your air conditioning unit aren’t particularly friendly or useful ones. In fact, they’re much more likely to cause you harm than good.
Mould spores are the mechanism through which mould reproduces. When your air conditioning unit is at rest, it’s the perfect petri dish for a wayward mould spore to grow on. Once comfortably at home in your air conditioner, a mould spore will reproduce. Further spores will be released and become airborne. They’ll spread throughout your home, landing on your food, your clothes and you. And from there you’ll eat them and breathe them in. If you have an allergic sensitivity to mould, its presence in your air conditioner is likely to trigger a significant reaction. Likewise, if you have asthma or any other respiratory illness, mould is a risk factor that can put you in hospital.
Some moulds are also thought to be responsible for the production of mycotoxins, a leading contributor to serious and life-threatening illnesses such as pneumonia, particularly in children, the elderly and the immune-supressed.
Other reasons why a mouldy air conditioner is a nightmare.
Mould, when left long enough, can also cause significant problems that will affect the efficiency of your air conditioner. In some instances, a build-up of mould can even lead to blockages within the air conditioning drains. The end result can be an expensive and inconvenient breakdown when you need your cooling system the most.
Signs of mould in your air conditioner
Chances are you might not see any visible signs of mould to start with. The first sign you might have of a mouldy air conditioner is a musty or funky smell when it’s in operation. If you’ve eliminated all other potential suspects as the source of the smell, you need to turn your attention to your air conditioner.
Once a mould colony is established you might notice tell-tale black or grey circular marks (mould deposits) on the interior surfaces of your air conditioner. Worse still, you might see evidence of mould spreading to your walls and ceiling.
