Why annual air conditioning servicing matters more than ever
When the temperature rises, your air conditioning system has to work much harder to keep your home or workplace comfortable. During a heatwave, it can run for hours on end with barely a break.
This summer, we saw a rise of over 300% in call-outs for systems that had stopped working, often right when their owners needed them most. In particular, we saw a marked increase in office and retail systems that were struggling to cope, which meant staff were less productive and customers weren’t comfortable shopping in store.
Extreme heat puts extra strain on any system, but breakdowns are usually linked to problems that have been building for a while. Dirty filters, blocked coils, refrigerant leaks and worn components can go unnoticed during cooler months, then surface the moment the system’s pushed hard.
An annual air conditioning service can catch most of these problems before they turn into an inconvenient, expensive breakdown.
Why do air conditioning systems break down during heatwaves?
Air conditioning systems are built for warm weather, but a long heatwave can push a poorly maintained one to its limits.
When the outside temperature stays high, the system has to run longer to reach and hold the target indoor temperature. If airflow’s restricted, components are dirty, or the refrigerant level is off, it has to work even harder to get there.
That can lead to:
– Reduced cooling performance
– Higher energy consumption
– Extra pressure on fans, motors and compressors
– Ice forming on parts of the system
– Water leaks
– Electrical faults
– Unexpected shutdowns
The heatwave usually isn’t the actual cause. More often, it just exposes a fault or maintenance issue that was already there.
What happens during an annual air conditioning service?
An annual air conditioning service is more than a quick look-over. It’s a chance for a qualified engineer to check how the system’s performing, clean the key components, and spot signs of wear before they become a problem. In the same way you would get your boiler serviced.
Depending on the equipment, a service might include:
– Cleaning or replacing filters
– Cleaning indoor and outdoor coils
– Checking airflow and operating temperatures
– Inspecting electrical connections and components
– Checking fans, motors and controls
– Inspecting condensate drains for blockages or leaks
– Checking the condition of pipework and insulation
– Looking for signs of refrigerant leakage
– Testing the heating and cooling functions
– Picking up on unusual noises, vibrations or smells
If something’s starting to go wrong, this is usually where it gets caught, before it takes the whole system down. The last thing you want is it to go down in the middle of a heatwave!
Seven reasons to have your air conditioning serviced annually
1. Reduce the risk of a summer breakdown
There’s never a good time for air conditioning to fail, but a breakdown mid-heatwave is particularly bad timing.
Homes get uncomfortable fast, and excessive heat in offices, shops, schools and healthcare settings can genuinely affect the people using them. Annual air conditioning service helps catch developing faults before the system’s under its heaviest summer demand.
2. Keep the system working efficiently
Dust, dirt and debris build up on filters and coils over time. That restricts airflow and makes it harder for the system to transfer heat properly.
The system then has to run longer to hit the same temperature, using more electricity in the process. Government guidance confirms that proper maintenance and fixing faults can lead to more efficient operation, lower emissions and reduced running costs.
3. Improve cooling performance
If your system isn’t cooling a room as quickly or evenly as it used to, that doesn’t necessarily mean it needs replacing.
Reduced performance often comes down to something fairly simple, like a dirty filter, restricted airflow, or a controls issue. Servicing can restore performance and get temperatures back to consistent.
4. Improve indoor air quality
Air conditioning systems circulate air around whatever room they’re in. If filters and internal components aren’t cleaned regularly, dust and other particles build up.
Cleaning the system as part of a routine service helps maintain better airflow and a cleaner indoor environment, which matters even more in busy workplaces, healthcare settings, and buildings used by vulnerable people.
5. Extend the life of the equipment
Air conditioning systems aren’t cheap. Regular maintenance protects that investment by reducing unnecessary strain on the components that matter.
A small issue left alone can eventually damage a much more expensive part of the system. Catching wear early stops it getting worse and helps the equipment stay reliable for longer.
6. Spot refrigerant leaks
Air conditioning and heat-pump systems use refrigerant to transfer heat. A leak reduces performance, increases energy use, and has an environmental impact too.
Some systems containing fluorinated greenhouse gases are subject to legal leak-checking requirements, though the frequency depends on the type and quantity of refrigerant involved, so not every system has the same obligations.
Any work involving refrigerant should be carried out by a suitably qualified F-Gas-certified engineer.
7. Help protect the manufacturer’s warranty
Some manufacturers require proof that a system’s been regularly maintained as a condition of the warranty.
Skipping a scheduled service could affect a future claim, depending on the manufacturer’s terms. Keeping service records also gives you a useful history of the system: faults, repairs, and parts replaced.
When is the best time to arrange a service?
The best time to service an air conditioning system is before you actually need to rely on it every day.
Spring works well, since any problems get found and fixed before temperatures rise. But you don’t need to wait until spring if your system’s already due one.
Booking maintenance in autumn or winter also means avoiding the busiest period for engineers, especially useful if you’re using the same system for heating in colder weather.
Commercial air conditioning systems may need servicing more often, depending on how heavily they’re used, the building, and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Warning signs your system may need attention
– The system’s taking longer to cool the room
– Airflow from the unit has weakened
– Energy use has gone up unexpectedly
– Water dripping or collecting around the unit
– Unusual noises
– An unpleasant smell when it’s running
– The unit repeatedly turning itself on and off
– An error code displayed
– Some rooms noticeably warmer than others
If there’s an obvious fault, leak, burning smell or unusual electrical noise, switch the system off and get professional advice; that can prevent further damage.
Don’t wait until the next heatwave
As heatwaves become a more regular part of UK summers, reliable air conditioning matters more than it used to.
This summer’s rise in breakdown call-outs showed exactly what happens when systems are suddenly asked to run for extended periods. And once hot weather hits, engineers get busy fast, so emergency appointments can be hard to secure.
Annual servicing can’t guarantee a system will never develop a fault, but it significantly cuts the risk of avoidable problems, keeps performance up, and gives you confidence your equipment’s ready for warmer weather.
Birmingham Air Conditioning Services has been installing, maintaining and repairing air-conditioning systems for homes, businesses and public-sector organisations for more than 30 years.
Is your air-conditioning system due a service? Contact Birmingham Air Conditioning Services to arrange a maintenance visit before the next heatwave arrives.
