Air Conditioning Service and Repairs FAQs

How Does Air Conditioning Work?

In very basic terms, an air conditioning unit is a form of heat transfer, which takes warm and stale air from inside a building and transfers it to the outside. At the same time, fans draw cool air in from outside which is filtered and cleaned. Most air conditioning systems use heat transfer coils, piped refrigerant and a compressor in much the same way as a fridge or a freezer. Air conditioning units can be used to warm or cool a space. We’ve done a video about how air conditioning works which you can watch by clicking here.

Why Should I Get My Air Conditioning Serviced?

Four key reasons why you should get your air conditioning unit serviced are:

1. It ensures that your system has the best chance of running at maximum efficiency because pipework, filters and moving parts are cleaned to ensure the system isn’t working harder than it needs to.
2. Regular servicing will extend the lifespan of the unit as all parts are maintained in good working order.
3. Because the unit is working efficiently your operating costs and energy usage should be reduced.
4. Regular servicing means that you are complying with the terms of your manufacturer’s warranty.

How Often Do Air Conditioning Units Need Servicing?

A standard service schedule tends to be two annual visits, but in general, the frequency will be dictated by the terms of your warranty agreement and/or the manufacturer’s recommendations. The frequency can also be dependent on a number of factors, such as the amount of use your unit gets and the critical nature of its performance. For example, if the unit is maintaining important air conditions such as in a laboratory, a specialist warehouse, a computer server room or in a kitchen area, it should be serviced more regularly. This could be three or even four annual service visits.

How Long Will an Air Conditioning Unit Last?

Under normal conditions an air conditioning unit should last between 15 to 20 years, but this is dependent on a number of factors. Like anything we buy, some manufacturer’s systems are better- made than others, so there can be no guarantee. A unit’s longevity will also depend on the standard of installation, the operating conditions the system is working in, the design of the system and whether it is compatible with what you need, and, of course, how well the unit is serviced and maintained.

What Are Common Problems Found With Operating an Air Conditioning Unit?

Many problems discovered with an air conditioning unit are fairly simple, such as the unit has been switched off, the timer has been changed so the unit isn’t operating when you expect it to, or there has been a power cut or the fuses or isolators have gone. In terms of actual operation, you can experience a blockage or a build-up of debris in the air filters through everyday use, this is perhaps the most common problem found. After that, you can also experience mechanical faults such as the fan not working.

What Does a Typical Air Conditioning Unit Service Visit Involve?

A typical air conditioning service and maintenance inspection generally include checking the motor, blower, pipework, coils, operating pressures and temperatures, the return and supply lines, refrigerant levels and all connections as well as cleaning or replacing the filters. The system will need to be dismantled to carry out these actions, and each part cleaned before being replaced.

Do I Need a Service Contract On My Air Conditioning If It Is Under Warranty?

Most manufacturer warranty agreements are only valid if the unit has been serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. So yes, you need to maintain your unit to ensure you are covered under your warranty. This works the same as any car warranty and its corresponding service and maintenance requirements.

What Accreditations Do Your Air Conditioning Engineers Have?

All our engineers are accredited to REFCOM which handles the use of refrigerants and how systems using refrigerants are installed, commissioned and maintained. We are also compliant with all current legislation relevant to refrigerants. Our systems of work are also accredited to the ISO9001 Quality Standard, and we hold many other accreditations.

I Have a Multi-Site Business – Can You Help?

Yes, we can cover any sites across the Yorkshire region and we have a number of clients with a service and maintenance agreement that covers multiple sites. We have found that working with the same client across different sites helps to build relationships, enables a better understanding of systems and aids consistency of working both for us and for the client.

What Areas of the UK Do You Cover For Air Conditioning Repairs and Servicing?

We cover all areas of Yorkshire; North, East, South and West.

Can You Service My Air Conditioning Unit If It Was Installed By Someone Else?

Yes, it is common for us to look after the maintenance of units installed by another party.

What Types of Air Conditioning Units Do You Cover In a Service?

Our planned preventive maintenance includes air source heat pumps, split AC systems, VRV (variable refrigerant volume) AC systems, filter cleaning/replacement where required, air conditioning controls and coil cleaning.

Will It Save My Business Money In the Long Run Getting My Air Conditioning Serviced?

Research has shown that for every £1 you spend on maintenance this will save you around £5 on repairs, as well as the accompanying savings already outlined on operating costs. Preventive maintenance helps to avoid earlier-than-normal breakdowns, these can be costly in terms of spare parts, labour and unplanned downtime, so being ahead of the game saves you both stress and money.

What Is a Split Air Conditioning System?

This is probably the most common design of air conditioning and involves two units, a compressor and an air outlet unit, which are located both inside and outside a building. They are connected by pipework that carries the refrigerant and the split design concept actually means you can have one external unit but could have multiple internal units serving different rooms.

What Is R22 and Why Is It Important In Air Conditioning?

R22 is a type of refrigerant that is now banned for use under the Montreal Protocol 2009 and as of December 2014, as it was found to be one substance contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer. R22 has now been replaced in contemporary air conditioning units by new refrigerants and special procedures need to be followed when dealing with the removal of R22 refrigerants in older units. This often forms part of the servicing of an air conditioning unit that we haven’t installed, but our engineers are REFCOM accredited, and a big aspect of this is knowing how to deal with the removal and disposal of R22 refrigerants.

What is an F-Gas?

F-Gas is an umbrella term used to describe CFCs, HFCs and HCFCs gases which are now limited in use because of their effects on the depletion of the ozone layer. These gases are widely used in air conditioning and are not banned, but their release into the atmosphere is now strictly controlled by EU regulations. These regulations dictate that if a system holds more than 3Kgs of F-Gases then the system must be specially inspected once a year, this increases up to a maximum of 30Kgs of F-Gases, which requires quarterly inspections.

Can I Speak to a Commercial Air Conditioning Expert In Yorkshire?

Working across Yorkshire, we cover North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire and offer a fast, efficient response time to all breakdowns and repairs. Contact us today for all planned, reactive maintenance or emergency call out. Call 01423 226578 or get in touch to see how Robinsons Facilities Services can help.