Why is it important to get regular air conditioning servicing?
All home and office air conditioning, after regular use, becomes infected with microbial contamination – This contamination includes fungi, mould and bacteria. Air conditioning is the perfect environment for such contaminants and of course they become constantly airborne every time you switch your air conditioning on. Mould combined with humidity can be a potent mix.
Consumers are generally not made aware of the need to regularly clean their air conditioners and are under the belief that cleaning the filters is enough. Cleaning your filters is 'simple maintenance'. After regular usage the whole head unit also needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
Air Conditioning Cleaning
Standard air conditioning system operation
Air is drawn from the room in your office or home through a return grill and passes through an air filter and into the ‘air handler’ (head unit).
Inside of the air handler is the circulating fan, and a heat exchange coil commonly called the evaporator. The evaporator is cold and thus removes heat from air that blows across it.
In addition to removing heat, water also leaves deposits on the evaporator surfaces. The cooled air returns to the room via outlet grills. The moisture falls into a drain pan under the evaporator and drains through a pipe out of the system.
Sources of microbial contamination in air conditioning
The air drawn into a system in your home or office contains dust, much of which is biological spores and other organic particles. Even the best filters capture only part of this material. Much of the rest falls out of the air stream onto the heat transfer surfaces. It combines with the water and the spores germinate and grow rapidly.
Indoor air quality and microbial contamination in air conditioning systems
Air conditioning systems can become breeding grounds for mould, mildew, and other sources of biological contaminants and can then distribute these contaminants through the home. System components can act as direct or indirect sources of particles and/or volatile organic chemicals (VOC’s).
Of greatest concern is biological growth and bio-aerosol generation, most of which are potential allergens. Airborne allergens in the home constitute one of the hardest types of allergens to avoid. Unfortunately, heating and cooling air conditioning systems are excellent harbours for moulds, and this system is an efficient distribution system.
Cleaning your air conditioner filters helps but it isn’t enough
You may clean the dust from your filter of your air conditioner. You may even regularly wash it in antibacterial solutions. But contaminants such as mould and bacteria will immediately return.
The moist environment created inside your air conditioner through its normal operation is the ideal environment for mould and bacteria to grow and flourish in as little as 3 months.
The real problems lay in the areas you can’t reach; the indoor coil, fan and drain pan and line are all moist environments which mould, fungus and bacteria thrive in. The best way to ensure that your home is protected is to have the mould, fungus and bacteria removed from your air conditioner, using environmentally friendly HVAC cleaning products that also reduce the rate of recontamination. An air conditioner contaminated with unacceptable levels of mould & bacteria can suppress your immune system, cause cold & flue like symptoms, skin irritations, hay fever & trigger asthma attacks. If you want to provide your family with comfort controlled air that is also healthy then there is a solution.
Common symptoms of a contaminated air conditioning
While the symptoms can vary greatly the following complaints have been associated with contaminated air conditioning:
Asthma attacks
allergies
hayfever
fatigue
sore throat
sore, dry eyes
respiratory problems
headaches
tightness of chest
frequent colds
flu or flu-like symptoms
Minimisation of growth of biologicals in an air conditioner
Keep your home or office system clean and treated with a broad spectrum antimicrobial, which not only kills micro-organisms (i.e. mould, mildew, fungi and bacteria) in the system but will inhibit their growth for up to 6 months.
Other benefits of regular air conditioning cleaning
If you clean and flush your system regularly it will operate more efficiently, use less power and last longer.
Most corrosion in air conditioning systems is caused by sulphuric acid secreted by common bacteria that chemically combines sulphur from the air with hydrogen and oxygen from water. These chemicals will have an adverse effect on the aluminium coils and fasteners.
Frequency of air conditioner clean
Depending on the level of use and environment it is recommended that a split system air conditioning unit is cleaned at least once every 12 months however ideally every 6 months with high usage. As a guide, we recommend a clean at the change of season from winter to summer and from summer to winter.
Fallon Solutions’ air conditioning technicians will strip down your air conditioning system and remove contamination from the filters, evaporator coils, condensate drain pan, supply and return air grills. We use advanced HVAC cleaning products that are environmentally friendly, bio- degradable and non-toxic. Our team can also supply a tailored maintenance programme that will help maintain the indoor air quality and maintain equipment efficiency depending on your health requirements and budget.
Contact our friendly team to book an air conditioning clean on 1300 762 260 or complete our service request form today
