Thorough servicing for optimum performance

As summer tightens its grip, it is time to gear up and face the heat, humidity and dust storms head on. For those living in the UAE, an air-conditioned environment is not a mere luxury, but an important requirement, and a few preventive measures to keep the cooling machines running in top condition will save owners from breaking out in sweat in the middle of the hot summer months.

Regular tuning of air conditioners (ACs) can help them last long and increase their efficiency. If ACs are not maintained properly, they start consuming more energy and lead to various health hazards.

Owners of ACs often complain about poor cooling and water-leaking issues, said Vijay Unnithan, Assistant General Manager (MEP), Engineering Maintenance Company (EMCO). EMCO Facilities Management Division's expertise covers engineering maintenance and management of client's facilities.

The performance of an AC decreases over time due to gas leakage, worn compressors and oil fouling of refrigerant pipes. Oil fouling often occurs when the lubricating oil in a compressor mixes with the refrigerant, thereby altering the chemical composition of both, thus leading to system inefficiency.

"About 20 per cent to 30 per cent of an AC's efficiency loss is due to oil fouling, which acts like cholesterol in the machine," confirmed Dustin Cherniawski, Director, GreenWave Capital. The company provides energy-efficient technology for the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. The company offers twin solutions in the form of PermaFrost and ClimaCheck.

Enhancing performance
PermaFrost is specifically designed to enhance the overall performance of any air-conditioning system by increasing heat transfer and compressor efficiency by removing oil fouling. "Essentially, the hot side (rooftop) becomes hotter and the cold side (inside the room) becomes colder, resulting in a more efficient system. Total efficiency gains are 10 per cent to 30 per cent, but vary according to the age of the unit," added Cherniawski.

Both AC owners and professional AC maintenance service providers can achieve different aspects of air conditioning maintenance to help their unit last for more than a decade in prime condition.

GreenWave Capital's ClimaCheck, a performance inspection tool, helps technicians troubleshoot and identify inefficiencies in air-conditioning systems. "This is a proactive way to ensure that air-conditioning units are running efficiently. It also saves a lot of energy and associated carbon-dioxide emissions," explained Cherniawski.

"In instances where ClimaCheck identifies significant operational issues, the inspections identify areas that need attention (to prevent failure) or parts that need to be replaced, before they fail," he added. This reduces downtime and is less costly than repairing or replacing broken parts.

Meanwhile, any basic professional service check of an air-conditioning unit must include proper cleaning of the condensing unit coils, thermostat and filter(s) checking, oiling of fan motors, checking amp draw of the compressor, adjustment of belts and taking a close look at the system operating pressures and temperatures against specifications mentioned in the unit's manufacturers' manual.

Also, one of the most important items to check is the coolant level in the AC. A system that is only 10 per cent low on coolant will cost about 20 per cent more to operate, claim AC maintenance experts.

The above-mentioned preventive measures will help keep an air-conditioning unit performing at its peak and any amount invested on its upkeep will be recovered in the form of low-repair costs and savings on power bills.

Considering that 70 per cent of power supply in the UAE is consumed by the HVAC sector, AC owners are increasingly concerned about the efficiency of air-conditioning and corresponding energy costs.

Owner's checklist
Alongside the professional maintenance service providers, AC owners can also take simple steps to keep their cooling machines humming silently with utmost efficiency and reduced costs.

"Owners should keep a maintenance checklist, which can include physical inspection for abnormal noise, vibration, overheating and dust accumulation on coils, among others," advised Unnithan.

Owners should always have the dust filter installed when running the AC and frequently clean the filter. "The filter should be cleaned on a monthly basis," said Unnithan. However, if the environment is dusty, it should be cleaned more often, he insisted.

It is advisable to use both the AC and a fan for families with children. Cool air settles at the ground level, hence adults feel hot and children feel cold. Fans ensure even distribution of air. Using the auto-cleaning function also helps ventilate the air inside the room and dehumidify the products' internal compartments, preventing contamination from fungal viruses or germs. Users should not forget to check the AC's freon levels regularly.

Ensure the air-conditioning unit isn't blocked by grass or other components found in the garden. The machine needs to draw air into the system in order to cool and circulate inside.

Maintenance experts advise homeowners to conduct a test run well before summer sets in. Identifying the problem early helps contractors assess the urgency of the request. Owners should ensure all access panels are secure.

A clean air-conditioning unit will operate efficiently, but owners should be aware of their limitations and call in professionals at regular intervals for comprehensive maintenance.