The truth is, most homeowners don’t give their ducted air conditioning systems the care they need. But if you want it to keep working at its best, regular attention is essential.
Over time, your ducted system quietly accumulates dirt, dust, and debris, which can not only impact its efficiency but also affect the quality of the air you breathe. Without proper maintenance, you might start noticing higher energy bills and less effective heating or cooling. In some cases, clogged drains can cause water to overflow, leading to mildew and expensive repairs, leaving your home uncomfortable and your wallet lighter.
While a professional should service your ducted system at least once a year, there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks you can handle yourself between visits. Regular upkeep, like cleaning, can make a big difference in long-term performance and durability.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to service your ducted air conditioner at home, helping you avoid costly problems and enjoy fresh, comfortable air all year round.
How Do Ducted Aircons Work?
Before you roll up your sleeves and get started with maintenance, it helps to have a good understanding of how your ducted air conditioning system actually works. These systems consist of multiple components working together to maintain a comfortable indoor environment throughout your home.
A typical ducted system features two main units connected by refrigerant pipes: The indoor unit that sits in the ceiling or under the floor, and the outdoor unit that sits outside of the home. Both circulate refrigerant through a closed loop that absorbs and releases heat continuously.
Air from inside your home is drawn through a return air grille, where it passes through a filter to remove dust and airborne particles. The cleaned air then moves over a heat exchanger before being distributed via a network of flexible ducts to individual rooms through ceiling vents or diffusers. Both the indoor and outdoor units continuously circulate refrigerant through a closed-loop system that absorbs and releases heat as required to achieve the set temperature.
A ducted air conditioning system follows a specific cycle during cooling mode:
- The sensor detects when the indoor temperature rises above the set point and signals the compressor to start.
- Refrigerant inside the indoor unit’s evaporator coil absorbs heat from the indoor air.
- The cooled air is then distributed throughout the home via the duct network.
- The heated refrigerant travels to the outdoor unit, where it releases the absorbed heat into the external environment.
- The refrigerant is cooled and cycled back indoors to repeat the process.
- During heating mode, the cycle reverses: heat is extracted from the outside air and transferred indoors, even in cooler outdoor conditions.
Many modern ducted systems include zoning capabilities, allowing homeowners to divide their property into distinct areas or “zones.” Each zone can be individually controlled, directing airflow where it is needed most. Motorised dampers within the ductwork manage this airflow, improving energy efficiency and enhancing comfort. Some systems also feature a fresh air intake, introducing a steady supply of fresh, oxygenated air from outside to help maintain indoor air quality.
Why You Should Clean and Service Your Ducted Aircons
While servicing your ducted air conditioner does come with a small upfront cost, the long-term benefits are worth it. A little maintenance now can save you a lot of trouble, and money, in the future!
- Prevents Costly Breakdowns and Repairs: Regular servicing helps catch small issues before they turn into major (and expensive) problems. A professional technician will inspect your system for signs of damage, faults, or leaks and fix them early on. Ignoring maintenance can lead to compressor failure, frozen evaporator coils that place extra strain on the system, electrical faults that could pose safety risks and more.
- Improves Energy Efficiency and Reduces Bills: When your ducted air conditioner is clogged with dust and dirt, it has to work much harder to cool your home. This means higher power usage and bigger electricity bills. Simple tasks, like cleaning your evaporator coil, can improve energy efficiency by 5–15%, while keeping the outdoor unit clean can boost performance by up to 15%.
- Improves Air Quality: Your ducted system doesn’t just control temperature. Over time, dust, dirt, and other pollutants can build up in the filters and ducts. If not cleaned, these particles can circulate through your home, triggering allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
- Extends the Lifespan of Your System: Without proper care, systems often fail long before their time. However, a well-maintained ducted air conditioner is built to last between 15 and 20 years. Routine servicing reduces wear and tear on the internal components, helping your system operate smoothly for as long as possible.
- Maintains Your Warranty: Skipping regular maintenance could void your manufacturer’s warranty. Most warranties require proof of annual servicing to stay valid. Keeping up with scheduled checks not only protects your investment but also ensures you’re covered if something goes wrong.
- Keeps Your System Reliable: There’s nothing worse than your air conditioner breaking down during a heatwave. Regular maintenance keeps your system running reliably, so it’s ready to perform when you need it the most, without nasty surprises!
How Often Should You Service Your Ducted Aircon?
A well-managed maintenance schedule will give your ducted air conditioning system the best performance year-round. At Crown Power, we recommend servicing ducted air conditioners at least once every 12 months – more if they see heavy use. This yearly maintenance streamlines your system’s efficiency and helps avoid unexpected breakdowns.
The best times to schedule these check-ups are:
- Spring (before summer cooling needs)
- Autumn (before winter heating requirements)
However, your system’s servicing needs might vary based on these factors:
- System Age: Older units need more frequent check-ups to work well and catch problems early
- Usage Patterns: Systems running 16+ hours daily need more servicing
- Environmental Conditions: Coastal areas or dusty places see more wear and tear
- Pets in the Home: Pet fur can clog filters more quickly
- Commercial Settings: Business systems might need servicing every 3-6 months due to constant use
Tips And Tricks For Servicing Your Ducted Aircon
While your ducted air conditioning system is designed to run with minimal fuss but with regular care and maintenance, you can help extend your system’s lifespan and maintain peak performance.
Clean the Filters
One of the most important maintenance tasks you can do yourself is filter cleaning. Before you start, make sure to turn the system off completely.
You’ll usually find the return air grille in a hallway or central spot. Carefully lower it to access the filter inside. (It’s a good idea to take a quick photo or note how the filter sits — it will make reinstalling it much easier.)
- For washable filters: Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose or clean with warm, soapy water. Allow it to dry completely in sunlight before reinstalling.
- Alternatively, you can also vacuum the filter using a brush attachment.
Once the filter is clean and dry, simply slide it back into place, secure the grille, and reset your controller’s filter indicator if it has one.
Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Filters
While many are reusable, aircon filters don’t last forever. As a rule of thumb, you can replace your filters every year during a full professional maintenance. Here are some signs that yours needs replacing:
- Tears or visible damage
- Unusual system error codes related to airflow
- Dust buildup around vents
- Musty smells that may indicate mould
- Unexplained spikes in your energy bills
- Worsening allergies in family members
- Reduced cooling performance even with clean filters
Don’t Forget the Outdoor Unit
A quick maintenance and spot cleaning of the outdoor unit will help maintain strong airflow, boost system efficiency, and prevent dirt and debris from causing overheating or damage to internal components. Clear away leaves, grass clippings, and other debris that might block airflow through the coils. Don’t forget to switch the system off!
When To Call A Professional
While DIY maintenance is essential for keeping your ducted air conditioner in good working condition, there are certain issues that require the expertise of a professional. Knowing when to call in a technician can save you time, prevent damage to your system, and keep your home comfortable year-round. If you’re unsure about any issue or notice any of the signs above, don’t hesitate to call a licensed technician.
- Reduced Cooling or Heating Performance: Your ducted air conditioning system should maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home. If you notice certain rooms failing to reach the desired temperature or if the system runs continuously without any improvement, it’s time to call a professional. Issues like refrigerant leaks, compressor malfunctions, or problems with the electronic control system can significantly impact performance and need expert attention.
- Unusual Noises or Odour: Unusual sounds such as grinding, screeching, or banging are usually a sign of mechanical failures within the system. These noises often signal that parts like the motor or fan may need repair or replacement. On the other hand, musty or burning smells can point to mould growth and/or electrical issues.
- Water Leaks and Pooling: While you can check for basic drainage issues yourself, persistent water pooling or internal leaks around the system call for professional attention. A technician can pinpoint the source of the problem, whether it’s a broken drain line, a blocked condensate pump, or a damaged collection pan, and fix it before more damage occurs.
- Poor Airflow from Vents: If you notice a drop in airflow from multiple vents, even after cleaning the filters, it suggests a bigger issue. This could be related to duct damage, a malfunctioning blower motor, or internal blockages affecting the distribution of air throughout your home. A professional has the tools and expertise to diagnose and resolve these issues.
- Visible Damage: If you spot visible damage, such as bent coil fins, cracked drain pans, or electrical issues, it’s important not to attempt repairs yourself. These types of damage often require specialised tools and knowledge to fix properly. Additionally, attempting to repair these problems on your own can void your warranty and may lead to more expensive repairs down the line.
Key Takeaways
Smart homeowners know that regular maintenance and servicing is an investment that pays off in the long run. Taking the time to care for your ducted air conditioning system can provide years of comfort, better energy efficiency, and fewer emergency repairs.
A professional service is essential to identify and address more complex issues and to ensure your system is running at its full potential. However, simple tasks like cleaning filters, maintaining the outdoor unit, and checking drainage is just as important and can go a long way in preventing bigger problems down the line.
Need a new ducted aircon? Looking to upgrade and improve your temperature control?
At Crown Power, we’re dedicated to keeping your home comfortable, no matter the season. We proudly partner with industry-leading brands like Daikin, Panasonic, and Advantage Air to deliver top-of-the-line ducted air conditioning systems, backed by expert installation and exceptional customer service.
