Most businesses tend to notice their air conditioning underperforming when it is either really hot, or really cold outside, just they need it the most.
Air conditioning underperformance can be caused by a wide range of issues, from misconfigured system settings or windows & doors being left open to neglected air conditioning servicing & maintenance or poor system design.
In some cases, it may be possible for a system user to resolve their air conditioning underperformance issue themselves, whilst in other cases, the system may need to be serviced or inspected by a qualified or accredited engineer.
WHY IS MY AIR CONDITIONING UNDERPERFORMING?
The following guide covers some of the more common causes of air conditioning underperformance, and what needs to be done to get a system working at peak performance again.
Misconfigured System Settings
Misconfigured system settings are one of the most common causes of air conditioning underperformance and can often be resolved by a system user without the need for an engineer visit.
To resolve issues with misconfigured system settings, the first thing to check is, if the system is set to the correct mode. When the room is too warm, the system should be set into cooling mode (usually denoted by a snowflake icon on the systems remote). Conversely, when the room is too cold, the system should be set into heating mode (usually denoted by a sun icon on the system’s remote). Should your systems remote also feature adjustable temperature settings for each mode, it is advisable to set this to either the lowest temperature in cooling mode, or highest temperature in heating mode to test the systems performance.
Another thing to consider is the systems timeclock which controls when the system switches on and off. It should be noted, that during periods of extreme weather, either hot or cold, the system timeclock may need to be adjusted to give the system longer to cool or heat the space.
If after checking the system settings or adjusting the system timeclock, the system is still failing to cool or heat the space, it may be in need of a service or could have developed a fault. If this is the case, contact us to book an engineer visit.
Open Windows & Doors
Open windows & doors are another common cause of air conditioning underperformance but again can usually be resolved by a system user without the need for an engineer visit.
To maximise the cooling or heating effects of an air conditioning system, it is important to ensure that all doors and windows are securely closed whilst the system is in operation.
If, after closing all the doors and windows and allowing the system to operate for a period of time, the system is still not cooling or heating the space as expected, it may suggest that system is in need of a service or may have developed a fault. If this is the case, contact us to book an engineer visit.
Blocked Heat Exchangers Due to Dirty Filters (Internal Units)
When an air conditioning system has not been serviced & maintained correctly, a buildup of dust & dirt on the systems filters can limit the flow of air through the heat exchanger of an internal unit, reducing system performance over time.
If you suspect air conditioning servicing and maintenance has been neglected, contact us today to book a service call.
Blocked or Dirty Condensers (External Units)
When an air conditioning system’s external condensing unit hasn’t been serviced & maintained correctly, over time, a buildup of debris and dirt will occur within and on the face of the heat exchanger, also known within the industry as the condenser coil, greatly reducing system performance or leading to fault.
To protect against this, it is advisable to ensure that the system is serviced on a regular basis in line with the manufacturers guidelines or to suit the cleanliness of the environment the system is installed within.
Where air conditioning servicing and maintenance has been neglected, contact us today to book a service call.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Should an air conditioning system develop a refrigerant leak, low refrigerant levels can greatly reduce system efficiency, in turn, this can lead to reductions in system performance.
Refrigerant leaks are traditionally very difficult for users to diagnose, with diagnosis usually requiring a site visit by a qualified and accredited professional.
If you suspect that your underperformance issues may be due to low refrigerant levels caused by a refrigerant leak, contact us at the earliest convenience to book a service call.
Poor System Design
Air conditioning performance issues resulting from poor system design can be more common than some users realise and usually requires a site visit from a qualified and accredited professional to be diagnosed and understood.
Should you suspect that your underperformance issues may be due to poor system design, please contact us to discuss the issue further, or book a site visit from one of our qualified experts.