Caring for a ducted air conditioner

Why care matters

A ducted air conditioner can keep your whole home comfortable and help keep running costs down. You can condition the whole house or choose which rooms to heat or cool. Zones let you turn off the areas you are not using, which lowers energy use.

If you want the system to last for many years and keep its efficiency, it needs proper care. A ducted system that is not looked after can cause:

• contamination of the air inside your home
• higher energy consumption
• a gradual loss of heating and cooling performance
• major repairs, or replacement, sooner than necessary.

The tips below help keep a ducted system running properly. Looking after the air conditioner also protects the larger investment you have made in your home.

Bring in a professional once a year

Have a qualified ducted air conditioning professional inspect the system once a year. An annual inspection can pick up:

• repairs that are needed now, before they turn into a breakdown
• anything holding the system back from full efficiency and performance
• parts that should be watched for future repair, particularly on older systems.

Only let a qualified and experienced professional inspect the system.

If you are having a new system installed, organise an annual inspection agreement with the installer so they come back and maintain the unit each year. Every ACDA accredited member runs a back-up service department, so the business that installs your system can also look after it. You can find an accredited dealer near you, or read what a service should include.

Have repairs done straight away

If the ducted system is not performing properly, have it serviced straight away. For example, if one room is no longer cooling the way it used to, there may be a hole in the ductwork or a fault in the system.

A hole in the ductwork that goes unattended can push up operating costs significantly. It can also let in contaminants such as bacteria.

As soon as you notice a change in performance, call a professional to have the system looked at. Putting it off usually costs more in the long run, both in running costs and in the repair itself.

Change or clean your filters

Every homeowner with a ducted air conditioner should know how to change or clean its filters. Do this at least twice a year, and use good quality filters with a high efficiency rating.

Good filters stop debris and particles getting into your home, where they can make people unwell. They also keep the system running efficiently and without trouble. When you change or clean the filters regularly, you are doing your part to keep the air in your home clean and the system running as it should.

For more on the types of filter and how they differ, see Filters explained.

Check your system regularly

If you have a ducted air conditioner in your home, keeping it properly maintained is your responsibility. Following a few simple maintenance habits preserves your investment and keeps your home comfortable at the same time.

Regular maintenance helps keep energy bills down and makes sure your home stays a comfortable refuge from the heat outside. If you are not sure whether the system is ready for the season ahead, Is your air conditioning ready for summer covers the checks to make before the hot weather arrives.

Ducted care checklist

• Book a professional inspection once a year
• Set up an annual inspection agreement when a new system is installed
• Only use a qualified and experienced professional
• Change or clean the filters at least twice a year
• Call a professional as soon as a room stops heating or cooling as it should
• Turn off zones you are not using

An ACDA accredited member installs to the ACDA Standards and runs a back-up service department, so the same business can maintain your ducted system year after year.