How Often Should Air Conditioning Be Serviced?

Air conditioning should ideally be serviced at least once a year. However, not all units are the same, and those with an effective rated output of more than 12kW require professional inspections at least once every five years, alongside regular servicing.

Our guide explores how often air conditioning should be serviced, when professional inspections are required and what could affect how often your unit needs servicing.

Air conditioning servicing at a glance

• Air conditioning should be serviced at least once a year
• Servicing air conditioning is not a legal requirement
• Regular servicing can keep your warranty valid
• If your air con has an effective rated output of over 12kW, you are legally obliged to have it inspected by a certified energy assessor at least once every five years
• Commercial units may require servicing every three to six months
• Noise, leaks and odours may mean servicing is necessary
• Seasonal and environmental factors can alter servicing frequency

When should my air conditioning be serviced?

Despite guidance suggesting that air con should be serviced at least once a year, location, usage, time of year, environmental conditions, warranty terms and the type of system all influence how often you should have your unit serviced.

If the air con unit has an effective rated output above 12kW, you must also have a professional inspection conducted every five years. However, more regular servicing is advised to ensure any developing problems are caught early, and repair costs minimised.

Why do I need to get my air conditioning serviced?

You need to get your air conditioning serviced to extend its lifespan, improve air quality, and maximise energy efficiency, among other things:

• Energy efficiency: Servicing air conditioning doesn’t just ensure it keeps working; it makes sure it works at its most efficient. This translates to cheaper energy bills.
• Improving the lifespan of the unit: A serviced air con unit is a healthy air con unit and avoids the need for an expensive replacement or repeated repairs.
• Cost saving: With regular servicing, small problems are caught before they become significant expenses.
• Improved air quality: An air conditioning unit that is not serviced will soon develop clogged filters and other faulty parts. This leaves dust and other allergens free to circulate, potentially exposing people to health risks.
• Warranty protection: In some cases, regular servicing is what keeps your warranty intact. Opting against a service could mean you face costly repairs if issues arise that are normally covered by a valid warranty.
• Improved performance: With all components regularly inspected, cleaned or repaired, your unit can cool or heat a room as it should, and not put unnecessary strain on the system.

What are the signs my air conditioning might need servicing?

Some signs may indicate that your air conditioning needs servicing long before you think a service is due. If you notice any of the following, you should contact an engineer:

• Water leaks: If your air con is leaking water, you see it pooling around the unit, or there seems to be excess moisture around the unit, there may be problems with the internal parts of the system.
• Buzzing or rattling sounds: If your air con hums, buzzes or rattles, there could be loose parts inside the unit, or an issue with the motor.
• Musty smells: If musty smells are originating from your air con unit, it could be a sign there is a mould or mildew build up within the unit.
• Not cooling or warming correctly: If you notice the unit won’t cool or warm the room as it normally does, there are likely faults that need addressing, so a service is advised.
• Sudden increase in energy bills: If you notice your bills jump suddenly, despite usage not changing, your unit could be faltering. As efficiency declines, energy usage rises.

What affects how often you should service your air conditioning?

Several factors affect how often your air conditioning needs servicing, which is why the intervals we mentioned earlier should be treated as a guide and not a fixed rule.

The main things to consider are:

• How often your system runs: A unit running all day for 8-10 hours will wear out much faster than a unit just switched on at weekends.
• The environment it works in: Dust, pollen and airborne grease can all block filters and coils quickly. Systems in a commercial kitchen, for example, will need more regular inspections than those in a small living room.
• The Sussex coast: In our local area, there are plenty of coastal locations and the salt-filled air can start to corrode outdoor units. As a result, more frequent servicing is advisable.
• If it heats and cools: If your system doubles up as a heat pump, it will be running year-round. This means the parts are under more stress and may need more frequent inspections.
• Warranty terms: In many cases, servicing is what keeps the warranty intact. Skipping the service can invalidate the cover, so always check what your warranty requires.
• System type: Single wall-mounted units are much simpler to maintain than multi-split or VRF systems.

What does air conditioning servicing normally include?

Air conditioning servicing includes some basic checks and maintenance as well as more advanced procedures. You can expect an engineer to conduct the following:

• Cleaning or replacement of air filters
• Calibration of thermostat settings
• Lubrication of moving parts
• Checks for refrigerant leaks
• Inspection of all electrical connections (and tightening if required)
• Airflow measurement
• Electrical terminal inspection
• Coil cleaning
• Cleaning of the condensate drain
• Inspection of the condensate pump
• Checks for mould and bacteria build-up
• Fan motor inspection
• Control checks for proper cycling of air

This list is not exhaustive, and some air conditioning engineers may be more thorough while others may not dive as deep. Always ask an engineer what the service involves before booking.

Is commercial air conditioning servicing any different?

Sort of, but not quite. If a commercial premises has air conditioning that has an effective rated output of 12kW or more, it falls within the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations. These regulations require periodic inspections of air conditioning to assess energy efficiency and identify opportunities for improving the system’s performance. This is known as a TM44 inspection and does NOT replace routine air con servicing.

TM44 inspection

• Must be carried out at least once every five years
• Can only be carried out by an accredited or certified energy assessor
• Does not replace routine air con servicing
• Used for inspecting efficiency and compliance

Can I service my air conditioning by myself?

There are some DIY jobs for servicing air conditioning, but it is often safer to leave them to the professionals for added reassurance.

Jobs you can do yourself

• Cleaning filters
• Replacing filters
• Wiping down exterior surfaces
• Clearing the area around an outside unit

Jobs to leave to the professionals

You can leave all of the above to the experts if you prefer, but you should always get them to do the following:

• Refrigerant refilling
• Leak fixing
• Electrical issues
• Part replacement or complex technical issues
• A full comprehensive service

How much does an air conditioning service cost?

Numerous factors determine how much air conditioning servicing costs. These include:

• The size of the system
• The number of units
• How easy the system is to access
• What parts may be required
• The type of system being used

Many parts can be extremely expensive to replace, so keeping to a regular service schedule helps you avoid costly repairs further down the line.

At Sussex Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps, we’ll provide you with a transparent quote with no hidden charges.

Is an air conditioning maintenance plan worth it?

If you use the system daily, or it is for a business premises, a maintenance plan is often the most cost-effective way to keep your air conditioning well maintained.

Rather than paying for a call-out when something goes wrong, a plan schedules servicing so small issues are caught before they get much bigger. A maintenance plan may include:

• Scheduled servicing
• Priority response if breakdowns occur
• F-gas leak checks and safe handling
• Maintenance records to support warranty and compliance

Businesses with units in continual use will benefit most from these plans. Homes require them less, but they can be worthwhile so annual servicing isn’t forgotten.

Book a qualified air conditioning engineer in Sussex today

If your air conditioning needs servicing, or you have concerns about its functionality, call our team. Our engineers are F-gas qualified and highly experienced in commercial and domestic air conditioning systems.