SERVICE & MAINTENANCE

Service Department

 

5 Weatherburn Way

KARDINYA  WA  6163

Tel: 08 9331 8800

Fax: 08 9337 4323

Email: service@fordanddoonan.com.au

 

 

General

Air conditioning is a major investment and is worth maintaining to achieve maximum performance and life span. It is highly recommended that a service plan be put in place through the life of your system. Different air conditioners need different levels of service dependant on their usage. A commercial application puts additional load on a system as it often runs virtually every day of the year and in some cases 24 hours a day. An evaporative system requires different servicing from a refrigerated system as most will only be used for a few months of the year. To help maintain the efficiency of your system and prolong its life there are a few simple procedures to follow:

Clean Air Filters Regularly - simply removing the filter from the unit and washing or vacuuming it will ensure maximum efficiency.

Keep Outside Unit Free of Debris - it is important to ensure that the outside unit is free of debris to ensure that airflow coming from the condensor is not inhibited.

EVAPORATIVE

Recommended Servicing

Two visits by a technician per year, one pre-summer and one post-summer. The units need to be checked for correct operation and set up prior to the start of summer, and ‘winterised’ and decommissioned at the end of summer. Modern evaporative coolers may have the ability to dump their water which reduces the need for "winterisation".

Problems with Evaporative Coolers.

Because the system works with water there are problems that can occur due to corrosion or electronic failure. The quality of the water can significantly affect the life of an evaporative cooler.

Items that may require attention include:

  1. Water pump
  2. Distribution pads
  3. Dump valve (if fitted)
  4. Fan motor or controls
  5. Pulley and belts

Because of the simple principle of evaporative cooling it is usually easy to diagnose a problem and rectify it swiftly. As more features are added to a unit, improved performance can be obtained but this can also increase maintenance issues. Most quality evaporative coolers come with a 2-year parts and labour warranty or better.


REFRIGERATED

Recommended Servicing

In a domestic application one visit by a technician per year is all that should be necessary, as long as the owner cleans the Return Air Filter regularly. Commercial sites may need up to four services per year as well as extra visits to maintain filter efficiency. If filters are maintained in prime condition, a refrigerated system should require minimum maintenance as long as regular servicing is done.

Problems with Refrigerated Systems

The critical factor is to maintain clean filters on any refrigerated systems from a room air conditioner through to a ducted system. Outdoor unit location can have a profound effect upon the life-span of the overall system.

Items that may require attention include:

  1. Filters or filter media
  2. Refrigerant gas
  3. Motors/compressors
    (if major failure occurs)
  4. Electronics (due to power surge)

Most quality brands of refrigerated air conditioners come with a 5 year parts and labour warranty. If ductwork is incorporated in an air conditioning system it may come with a 10 year warranty. Your air conditioning system has the potential to last a very long time. Maintenance is crucial and can extend the life span significantly. Ensure you utilise a quality service company such as Ford and Doonan to keep your air conditioner in top condition.