Today nearly a quarter of French people is equipped with an air conditioner in its accommodation. To limit energy consumption and lengthen the lifespan, good maintenance of the device is decisive.
Inflatable swimming pools, sunscreen, ice cream … With heat waves, sales of these products have increased considerably.
The fans were of course the stars products, with an increase of 250% of their sales. But they are not the only ones. Air conditioners, on the other hand, experienced a spectacular growth of 600%.
Today, between 18% and 26% of French people are equipped with an air conditioning system in their accommodation, according to a recent study by Bâtizoom, the observatory of the ecological transition of the building. A constant figure increase: the equipment rate was only 14% in 2016.
From 300 euros to almost 30,000 euros, the air conditioning represents a heavy investment for households. Hence the need to make it last as long as possible. For this, it is essential to maintain it well. RMC Conso therefore reveals some maintenance tips.
The consequences of the lack of maintenance
For all household appliances, maintaining them correctly is essential. And for good reason, in the case of air conditioning, “your health is at stake”, assures RMC Conso Riadh Alou, technical referent within Mesdépanneurs.fr, an emergency troubleshooting platform.
Over time, air conditioning accumulates dust, allergens, molds and other bacteria. If these elements are not eliminated, they can be broadcast in the air of your home, and cause respiratory problems, allergies, even diseases.
In addition, an dirty air conditioning system will work less well, resulting in an increase in energy consumption and higher costs also linked to “parts replacement”.
“The average basket is between 300 euros for a simple clearing at almost 600 euros for engine repair,” he said. Ultimately, the other consequence is the decrease in the lifespan of your device.
“On average, an air conditioning can last from 15 to 20 years when it is well maintained. It can increase to 10 years, maintenance -free,” said the technical referent.
Gains, filters, grids …
To avoid these inconveniences, there are therefore some tips to follow. Before starting cleaning, make sure that air conditioning is off and disconnected. This will guarantee your safety and will avoid any electrical risk when handling internal components.
“Motor repairs and the whole electronic part represent 70% of our interventions. There are also the ducts, because as they aspire the air with vapor, they shed and wear out more quickly,” he describes. The expert thus recommends “closing ventilation and cleaning the sheaths, as they accumulate the most dust”.
It is also advisable to clean the filters, every one to three months. Indeed, dirty filters reduce efficiency, increase energy consumption and can spread dust and allergens. You should remove the filter, clean it with warm soapy water and dry it before putting it back. And for non -washable filters, they must be replaced directly.
Then, at least once a year, it is also important to clean the dust on the grids and around the machine (interior unit) and remove the leaves, dirt and branches that could obstruct the exchanger (outdoor unit). For accessible parts, use a damp cloth for deep cleaning. And for the rest, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush.
You can also go further, cleaning the air conditioning tray yourself. It is also possible to clean the blowing and air recovery turbine, using a small hard -haired brush. It is advisable to proceed with delicacy, so as not to damage the blades, where the dust tends to hang and then harden, which can increase the operating noise of the device.
“A RGE approved professional”
However, if you have a doubt, “the best is to avoid touching by yourself. You can just simply remove dust from the grids, but do not try to touch a technical element,” warns Riadh Alou.
On the other hand, “do not forget the maintenance with a professional every one or two years, points out the technical referent of Mesdépanneurs.fr. During this appointment, it will be able to check everything on your device: controlling the levels of refrigerant, detect possible leaks, clean the internal circuits”.
According to the decree of July 28, 2020, an interview is compulsory every two years for air conditioners with a power between 4 and 70 kW or containing more than 2 kg of refrigerant.
Another important element, according to him: to verify that it is an authorized RGE professional or recognized guarantor of the environment, a recognition granted by the public authorities and the ADEME to professionals in the building sector and renewable energies engaged in a quality approach.
This “guarantees a normalized installation and also makes it possible to receive state aid or local subsidies”, he continues. A control intervention of this type can amount from 100 to 300 euros, depending on the type of device.
Consider looking at maintenance contracts which can offer, compared to specific interventions, advantages such as priority interventions and long -term controlled costs.
Watch out for temperature
Beyond the maintenance, there are other tips for ensuring the sustainability of your air conditioning. More regularly, do not hesitate to control the proper functioning of the system by monitoring the anomalies (bizarre noises, drop in performance, smells etc.), testing orders and remote controls or even checking that the air is fresh.
On the temperature, be careful not to adjust your too cold air conditioner and avoid the deviations with the outside to limit the stress of the device. The ideal is between 24 and 26 degrees.
Finally, try to promote intelligent use of your device by limiting air conditioning when you are not at home. This will reduce wear, and especially your energy consumption. Because, as a reminder, an air conditioning on all day can cost you more than ten euros per day.
