Spring Cleaning (Your Air Conditioner)

As the Brisbane spring unfolds, it’s crucial for commercial spaces to ensure their air conditioning systems are primed for the warmer months ahead. This article delves into the essential topic of maintaining and cleaning commercial air conditioning systems, a vital task for any business seeking to provide a comfortable environment for its customers and staff. In Brisbane, where the climate can shift dramatically, the role of a functional and efficient HVAC system cannot be overstated.

We focus on commercial air conditioning maintenance, an often overlooked yet critical aspect of managing a business’s physical space. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system not only guarantees a consistently pleasant atmosphere but also enhances the system’s longevity and efficiency. This is where the expertise of our skilled HVAC technicians becomes invaluable. Our professionals possess the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure that your commercial air conditioning units are operating at their peak.

In this comprehensive guide, we explore why regular HVAC maintenance in Brisbane is not just a recommendation but a necessity. From reducing energy costs to preventing unexpected breakdowns, the benefits are numerous. We also provide practical tips on how to clean and maintain your commercial air conditioning units effectively, helping you stay ahead of potential issues.

Whether you’re a business owner, facility manager, or just keen on understanding the intricacies of commercial HVAC systems, this article is a resource you don’t want to miss. Join us as we navigate the world of HVAC in Brisbane, ensuring your commercial air conditioning units are ready to face the challenges of the changing seasons.

Living room & bedroom

The living room is arguably one of the most integral rooms of your house. It’s a place of gathering, tv-watching, couch-eating and most importantly… relaxing. Of course, it’s great to keep this place nice and tidy, especially seeing as guests are frequently in this room as well.

The bedroom, on the other hand, should be clean for your own wellbeing. With clutter, it can get overwhelming, stuffy and feel ‘germy’… all the things you don’t want in a place where you recharge after a long day. Having a clean room can help you sleep better and promote a healthier space for you to be in.

1. Start by picking up any random items and returning them to their ‘home’. Don’t forget to throw away any rubbish that’s lying around.
2. Then do a quick wipe down of all surfaces with multi-purpose spray and a damp cloth.
3. Finish with vacuuming the carpet or mopping tiles for a clean floor.
4. If you want to go one step further, take all the washable items and do a load of laundry. This will ensure your furniture/bedding smells fresh and is free of stains. Woo!

Bathroom

The bathroom is a breeding ground for bacteria. All the moisture, shower products and grime can build up over time and be a nightmare to clean. Depending on how dirty your bathroom is, you might need to grab some heavy-duty cleaning products and gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals.

1. Spray all surfaces of your shower and toilet with a multi-purpose cleaner. If scrubbing harder isn’t enough to get all the grime off your porcelain sinks, go in with a bit of gumption or bleach to make those surfaces as good as new.
2. Unclog all drains. Yes. Unscrew or detach the silver coverings in your sinks or shower and remove the hair and other gross build up.
3. Wipe down the mirrors, any taps, as well as surfaces like benches, cabinets and door, handles.
4. Mop the floor and… you’re done!

Kitchen

The kitchen is a whole other realm. This is where comforting meals are home-cooked, midnight snacks are consumed and bacon splatters oil all over your benches. Cleaning the kitchen is a little different to the rest of the house due to the fact we prepare food here… which ends up in our bodies. We don’t want to be using lots of chemicals in this area so opt for more natural cleaning products that you know won’t harm your family.

1. Spray all surfaces and use a cloth to wipe away all grease, bits of food and any hard stains that have accumulated.
2. Scrub your stovetop, whether it’s a gas or electric stove, layers of grime build up here.
3. Give the inside of your fridge an audit and remove any food that’s beyond its use-by date, looks a little off or you don’t use anymore.
4. Make sure to give your oven and all the racks a good clean!
5. Sweep the floor and get rid of any big bits of debris, and then mop the tiles with a gentle cleanser.
6. Thoroughly clean your sink and attachments as this is where you do all the cleaning! Doesn’t make sense for the cleaning area to be dirty, to begin with.
7. Throw out the bin, change the liner and wipe down the surfaces… including inside the lid.

Just when you think you’re done cleaning… there’s one very important part of your house which you probably haven’t thought of yet!

Having an air conditioner during the hot Aussie months can be truly life-changing. But before it gets unbearably hot, have you ever thought to clean out your air conditioner after it’s been dormant during Winter? Probably not.

It’s actually quite necessary to get this device serviced and maintained frequently. Why? Well when your air conditioner is not being used during the winter months or even if it is being used, it can accumulate a lot of dust as air constantly passes through the filters. Due to nearly 1 in 5 Australians and New Zealanders experiencing hayfever, there are plenty of ways to improve indoor air quality. However, here’s how to give your AC a little love during your Spring clean!

The inside unit

The indoor unit consists of a filter, cooling coil and an extended blower. Before you proceed with the cleaning of the inside unit, make sure you’ve turned it off completely.

1. Open the air-con’s front grille carefully and locate the filters
2. Similar to a vacuum, these filters can get dust build-up and need to be cleaned in order to let air pass through and minimise air pollutants. Remove these gently and take them outside so you don’t have to re-vacuum the floor you just cleaned.
3. You can tap the filter to shake off any dust or use a damp cloth to wipe them down carefully. Allow them to dry before replacing them.
4. Using a small, stiff brush, remove any visible dust or debris and wipe away any remaining dirt on the condenser coils
5. Spray the coils and the rotary blades with coil cleaner and let them sit for at least 20 minutes.
6. Once all the parts are replaced back into the unit, give the exterior a wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dust build-up.

The outdoor unit

While cleaning the inside unit, it is equally important to clean the outdoor unit which consists of a compressor, cooling fins, tubes, and a fan. Before you start cleaning any part of the outdoor unit, ensure it’s disconnected to any power sources which you can do by opening the electronic box and switching it off.

1. Clear the surrounding area around your outdoor unit.
2. Clean the condense blades which surround the unit using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment which will ensure you can get in between small crevices. Depending on the brand of your air conditioning unit, you might have to unscrew or detach certain parts to reach the blades to remove any remaining debris.
3. If any of the blades look bent or misshapen, you can gently and carefully straighten them.
4. By removing the fan, you can wipe down the interior condenser.
5. Check the motor and add any oil to ensure it is well lubricated. You might not need to do this step as most air conditioners nowadays don’t have ports that require extra oil. Consult the user manual to find out more.

DIY or Professional?

Cleaning your air conditioner’s inside and outdoor units yourself using the methods above can save you a lot of money. It will help you understand how the device works and you might find it easier to do and maintain the more you clean it. However, there are some things that just need a little extra touch, and we might be biased, but nothing comes close to a professional carrying out a task they are experts at. Not only that, if you try to fix it yourself and something goes wrong, there could be a chance your warranty becomes void and the damage is too far gone.

If you notice your air conditioner having these problems, or can’t seem to figure out why it’s not working then you might need to call a professional:

1. Strange odour emitting despite already cleaning it yourself.
2. You notice a leak in the unit.
3. The temperature doesn’t seem to work as well as it used to – the air isn’t as cold or warm as you remember it when you first got the unit.
4. The thermostat breaks.

When it comes to maintenance and servicing appliances such as air conditioners, you’re better off calling a professional to handle it. Especially since air conditioners involve electricity and complicated parts, an expert is more equipped and experienced. So if you’re in the mood for a Spring clean, but don’t want to deal with cleaning your air conditioner, then give us a call!