Any advice? Heavy use of air conditioners for extended periods can put significant strain on your unit & your home’s electrics.

If your air conditioning unit hasn’t been regularly maintained, then it could cost you more than just higher electricity bills.

Here’s what we found recently. Air filters and pads were falling apart & blocked through a combination of age, dust and lack of cleaning. Many homeowners don’t put servicing on their “to-do” list nor do they clean the filters. This can lead to serious issues such as air restriction and unit overheating, which is a potential fire risk.

Fire risk? Please tell me more. Fire authorities continually stress the importance of regular professional servicing as this would prevent many household fires.

In 2018, faulty air-conditioners, evaporative coolers and fans caused 17 fires across the State, resulting in $2.5 million of damage. Some houses were completely gutted, and in one fire in Mclaren Flat, a woman suffered serous burns and three cats perished. You should also be aware that poorly performing air conditioners can increase the strain on the electrics in your home, which can damage the wiring and create an additional fire risk.

The MFS recommends servicing of air conditioners and cooling equipment every year or after periods of no use.

Ultimately, it is about keeping those you care about safe.

So would a Sharpe Group technician be able to sort this out? Certainly. Our Safety Check & Service covers all aspects of reverse cycle or evaporative systems, we operationally test according to manufacturer’s instructions. We have years of experience and the best technicians on hand.

My air-conditioner seems to be fine, why should I request a service? “You wouldn’t wait for the wheels to fall off the family car before getting it serviced”. Poor A/C maintenance affects reliability and can result in you using 30% more electricity than seasonally serviced units. At least 80% of Sharpe Group’s service requests are from customers whose systems have not been serviced for over 5 years. Poorly performing units put increased strain on expensive electrical components and the compressor, increasing the risk that they fail.

Anything else I should know? Years of heavy use and poor maintenance will affect the reliability of your system, leading to extra repair costs and inconvenience if it fails during the summer. If your system is over 15 years old, you should consider investing in a new air-conditioning unit. Be aware that some of the highest rated units installed a decade ago would just get a 3.5-star rating today.

By installing a new system you will get the benefits of improved cooling performance, a reduction in your carbon footprint and lower energy bills. New A/C systems are now available with interest-free financing, meaning it’s easier than ever to efficiently cool your home.