EASY & BREEZY

LOOK OUT FOR THESE COMMON MISTAKES TO ENJOY AN AIR-CON SYSTEM THAT RUNS STRONG FOR YEARS.

experts recommend comprehensive air-con inspections and servicing at least once a year – not forgetting the routine checks that homeowners should conduct in-between. But on most days, our air conditioners function like clockwork, making it easy to fall behind on maintenance. And in sunny, humid Singapore, ensuring that air-con systems stay in tip-top condition (no pun intended) is crucial to beat warm weather and cool off on energy consumption.

How we interact with our air-cons do affect their efficiency and performance. Ensure your cooling system performs at its best capacity for longer by avoiding these common mistakes.

MISTAKE:

Buying an oversized (or undersized) air conditioner

Contrary to popular belief, larger or oversized air conditioners don’t cool rooms faster – installing a system that’s too big for your home can lead to uneven cooling and temperature swings. Similarly, too compact units work overtime to cool the air, leading to quicker wear and tear and reduced cooling capacities.

THE FIX: Pick the right-sized units for your space. As a general guideline, figure out the room’s square footage and multiply that by 70 for the accurate BTU (British Thermal Units) needed. Add or take away 10 per cent of that number depending on how warm or cool the room gets. Gain City’s team of air-con specialists can help new homeowners make suitable selections. Get started at www.gaincity.com/airconservice.

MISTAKE:

Skipping regular maintenance

As mentioned earlier, neglecting routine air-con servicing leads to more problems in the long term. Beyond the usual maintenance, trained technicians can identify potential issues before they escalate. This way saves you more time, money and effort as compared to fixing a malfunctioning air-conditioner.

THE FIX: The air-con filters and evaporator coils are what typically requires cleaning every month. While homeowners can conduct simple maintenance works on their own, we recommend engaging a professional for annual servicing to reduce the need and frequency of costly repairs.

Scan this QR code for an informative video on Gain City’s air-con maintanence services!

MISTAKE:

Using the wrong thermostat settings

Eager to cool off? Blasting your air-con on the lowest thermostat settings won’t cool the room any faster, as the air-con system is designed to push out the same amount of air, no matter the temperature setting. Instead, this habit overexerts your unit and contributes to higher electrical bills. Frequent thermostat adjustments can also cause problems because it forces the aircon to switch gears constantly, leading to quicker wear and tear.

THE FIX: Exercise patience, or opt for a programmable thermostat in your next air-con upgrade so you can set or reset temperatures before stepping into the room.

MISTAKE:

Not changing the air filter

The longer the filter is in place, the more dirt, dust and allergens it traps. Clogged filters decrease the efficiency of the air-con unit, resulting in higher electricity bills.

THE FIX: Three months is the standard for how long to go before changing your air filter – a month for warmer periods with heavier air-con usage. Homes with pets or people with allergies should see air filter swaps every 20 days or so. It’s also advisable to check and change the filters after dusty renovation work.

MISTAKE:

Not replacing your air-con unit

There are many symptoms that signal an impending replacement of your air-conditioner, including moisture and leakage, diminished airflow, unusual noises, the need for frequent repairs and more. At its best, a well-serviced air-con can last around 10 to 20 years before needing a replacement – shorter still, for ill-maintained units. Extending the use of an aircon past its intended lifespan can lead to increased repair costs and incur heftier energy consumption as the unit functions less efficiently.

THE FIX: Before taking the plunge, seek the opinion of air-con professionals. Gain City’s team of experts are here for you, with affordable packages for every budget.

Find out more at www.gaincity.com/airconservice.