Heat Pump / Air Conditioner servicing - is it really required?

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timmmay

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#181040 30-Sep-2015 10:42

Do air conditioners really need servicing? Does it affect their warranties?

I have a couple of air conditioners, Daikin (5 years old) and Fujitsu (3 years old). I clean the filters regularly, and I give the outdoor units a good hose occasionally to prevent buildup. This is exactly what the service guy did the couple of times I've had them out. If they oiled, greased, took it apart to clean it, that kind of thing, sure it might be worth it, but I can hose it and clean the internal filters myself. I'm wondering if it's just a way for the installers to generate revenue.

MikeAqua

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#1397171 30-Sep-2015 10:51

Yes they do. To remain efficient/quiet it has to work well.

They should do more than hose and clean filters.

Depending on what components your unit has - seals may need to be checked/replaced; moving parts may need lubrication; belts may need to be checked; refrigerant may need topping up or replacing.

A manufacturer can wriggle out of the CGA if the equipment has been subject to unreasonable treatment, including lack of maintenance.

Find a better servicing firm?

Mike

timmmay

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#1397207 30-Sep-2015 11:04

From one heat pump service company's website

“The warranty does not cover problems caused by dirty air filters, air flow obstructions in the indoor and outdoor section of the product. Leaves, dirt or foreign objects blocking vents and coils, blocked condensate drains causing water to leak from the product.” “Regular checks for clearance of obstructions, vermin or foreign matter are the owners responsibility.” This is much more than a filter clean!

None mention lubrication, they just clean and disinfect it. I wonder if technical maintenance manuals are available anywhere - anyone know?

graemeh

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#1397211 30-Sep-2015 11:08

We have a Fujitsu unit we have had serviced once. The service was basically just a very thorough clean (not just the filters).

I asked the guy about things like checking and topping up the gas and he said that the gas was under such high pressure that if there was even a small leak you would lose your entire gas charge and we would complain it wasn't working. This means there is no need to check the gas. He also said there is no need for any seals to be checked, parts to lubricate or belts to check.

mckenndk

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#1397213 30-Sep-2015 11:10

Yes they certainly do, one place I worked the server room was around the 30 degree mark and could not get the temperature down, I had worked there years ago and remembered it being a nice room to work in during the hot summer.

We got it serviced and after that it was able to keep the room heaps cooler, I would say it probably uses more electricity when its not working efficiently as well.

Bit like a fridge when the element gets covered in ice it cannot efficiently remove the heat from the fridge so it uses more energy to keep it cool.

timmmay

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#1397232 30-Sep-2015 11:27

Of course the basics like cleaning filters needs to be done, no question there. Anyone with some common sense can do that easily. The question is do you need to pay $120 or so for someone to do this for you - do they do anything additional that is worthwhile?

mdooher

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#1397275 30-Sep-2015 12:23

timmmay: Of course the basics like cleaning filters needs to be done, no question there. Anyone with some common sense can do that easily. The question is do you need to pay $120 or so for someone to do this for you - do they do anything additional that is worthwhile?

No you don't.
However the outside unit should be cleaned thoroughly and checked to make sure there are no nests of (insert insect name here) hiding in the circuit board and the drain holes are clear etc.

Checking the gas etc. is completely unnecessary. If it leaks out the unit should come up with a pressure error.... unless its junk.

Matthew

jonathan18

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#1397280 30-Sep-2015 12:28

timmmay: Of course the basics like cleaning filters needs to be done, no question there. Anyone with some common sense can do that easily. The question is do you need to pay $120 or so for someone to do this for you - do they do anything additional that is worthwhile?

And, at the risk of hijacking this thread, does the same apply to ducted heat pumps? Ie, should we be getting our ducted system regularly serviced, or is this something we can do ourselves? I had been wondering this recently, and this seems the ideal opportunity to ask.

I guess we could be checking the return vents and potentially changing the filters on those (how often should we be doing this?), but is there something we can and/or need to be doing with the in-ceiling and/or outdoor units, or is it something we need to leave to the professionals?

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mdooher

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#1397292 30-Sep-2015 12:32

jonathan18:
timmmay: Of course the basics like cleaning filters needs to be done, no question there. Anyone with some common sense can do that easily. The question is do you need to pay $120 or so for someone to do this for you - do they do anything additional that is worthwhile?

And, at the risk of hijacking this thread, does the same apply to ducted heat pumps? Ie, should we be getting our ducted system regularly serviced, or is this something we can do ourselves? I had been wondering this recently, and this seems the ideal opportunity to ask.

I guess we could be checking the return vents and potentially changing the filters on those (how often should we be doing this?), but is there something we can and/or need to be doing with the in-ceiling and/or outdoor units, or is it something we need to leave to the professionals?

If your filters are in the return grills rather than in the plenum attached to the internal unit it is more important to check for leaks in the return pipe work.(you don't want stinky wet dust building up on the fins of the unit). Otherwise only bother cleaning the outside unit

Matthew

MikeAqua

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#1397297 30-Sep-2015 12:43

I think you will find it depends on the specifics of your model. I wouldn't pay anyone $120 just to clean a heat pump.

I find it hard to believe that is all the maintenance required. But maybe consumer units are made to be maintenance free.

Mike