Residential Air Conditioning Tweed Heads

Aside from complete failure, there are a number of warning signs that indicate your A/C needs attention. Some of these are detailed below.

• A/C doesn’t cool to the required temperature or takes a long time to do so.
• A/C unit emits odd noises, the motor sounds under strain or an odd smell from the A/C outlets.
• An increase in energy consumption with no additional boost to performance.
• A weak flow of cooled air.

Modern A/C systems usually carry a warranty of between 3 to 10 years. During this time, in the event that there is a problem with any of the A/C parts, they will usually be replaced at no additional cost. You can reasonably expect your A/C to last for the warranty period. After this, the exact length of time the system will keep going depends on factors such as the frequency and length of use, how hard the motor has to work, whether the unit is serviced regularly, air quality (dirty air degrades a unit more swiftly than clean air) and the calibre of the unit.

As a general rule, most A/C systems are ready for replacement after 15 years or so, particularly if you are experiencing a deterioration in performance and/or the system requires frequent repairs and part replacement.

This is quite a complex question, as a lot depends on how the A/C is used. For example, if you’re only cooling one room in the home, a single split system will cost less to run than a ducted system (which will cool the whole house). Conversely, if you want whole-house cooling, ducted A/C costs less to run. Furthermore, although ducted A/C will pump out air at a constant temperature into each room, there can be significant temperature variations between rooms due to variables such as aspect, level of insulation, whether windows are left open, room size or whether the room is on the ground, first or second floor.

Because the most energy-efficient form of A/C varies depending on requirements and the property, we recommend calling us for a FREE assessment. We can then advise on the system that’s going to be most cost-effective, with the lowest running costs, for your circumstances.

Common reasons for water collecting at the base of your A/C unit include a clogged condenser line, a dirty air filter, a full drain pan or a refrigerant leak. The first three problems you can usually fix yourself (or use an A/C technician if you want a fast, convenient fix). A refrigerant leak will need professional attention.

Some properties have walls that aren’t suited to wall-mounted A/C, or a ducted system. This may be because the building is old, has a quirky design or A/C may need to be reconfigured in the medium-term. In these circumstances, a floor-mounted unit could be the solution. This operates like any other form of split unit A/C, but the interior units are mounted on the floor rather than the wall.

As already stated, there isn’t a right answer to this question. The answer depends on your A/C requirements, the type of property you have, the budget available and a number of other factors. We are happy to provide a FREE assessment of your needs, as well as offer suitable recommendations that are the best option for you and your home.