The Pros and Cons of Aircon Chemical Servicing

Air conditioning systems have become essential parts of our daily routine. Taken the hot and humid weather into consideration, air conditioners are the number one choice for those living in hot and humid areas. However, the regular use of your aircon may pose a huge danger to your health. Over time, the inside of the unit collects dust, pollen and are an ideal breeding site for bacteria, mildew and mold, especially during the summer season. As a result, chemical aircon servicing is often the most effective solution to the problem. Here are some benefits as well as the drawbacks of aircon chemical servicing.

The Pros of Aircon Chemical Servicing

Normally, regular cleaning and maintenance services should be done every 3 months for residential houses and once in a month for commercial workplaces. AC chemical cleaning is usually recommended for systems or units which have been in use for several years without proper or any maintenance whatsoever. Some of the benefits of chemical cleaning are pretty obvious and include cleaner air, lower electrical consumption, increased unit lifespan, better cooling performance and decreased water condensation.

• It cleans dirt 

First and foremost, what chemical cleaning does is break down harder particles and dissolve the dirt. This is the main reason why this type of cleaning is vital for air conditioners that haven’t been serviced properly for years. Other normal cleaning methods are usually useless so this is the only way to remove the accumulated dirt and debris.

• It removes dangerous microorganisms 

Mold and mildew are probably the biggest threat to human health when it comes to aircon units and systems. In general, they are quite a water and soap-resistant. However, some specific biocides eliminate them thoroughly and prevent future regrowth.

• It’s recommended for systems with very poor cooling performance

If your AC performs very poorly, then you might start thinking about chemical cleaning. Poor cooling performance is often a sign of a clogged system which leads to loss of energy because of the higher power demand of the system. 

In such cases, the only way to unclog your system is to clean it with chemicals that can break down the dirt. Mind that this is an essential part of regular maintenance that will ensure that the aircon works properly and have fewer breakdowns. As a result, your room will be cooled much faster and more efficiently than before.

• You’ll lower your electricity bills and extend your ACs lifespan

With regular and proper maintenance come the lower utility expenses. For this reason, the main benefit that comes with chemical cleaning has to be lower electrical consumption and in turn, lower bills. Needless to say, cleaning all parts timely and regularly will ensure that the system works in optimal conditions and for many more years to come.

• You’ll improve your air quality 

Lower electricity bills are a huge plus, but what’s even more important is your health. With cleaner air, you’ll have a better overall quality of life – free of diseases and respiratory problems. After all, the cleaner the aircon, the cleaner air you’ll breathe. 

The Cons of Chemical Aircon Servicing

Of course, there are also some disadvantages to chemical aircon servicing. First and foremost, the first con has to do with the health dangers that chemical cleaning poses. Some individuals are highly sensitive and the biocides used in the process of cleaning may attack their respiratory system causing adverse reactions including irritations, allergies, and inability to breathe.

Another huge disadvantage is the price of the service. Compared to normal cleaning services, chemical aircon cleaning is quite expensive mainly due to the cost of the chemicals. In addition, the specialized method and the tools, along with the technician skills, are also hard to find and add up to the total cost.

On top of that, the whole process consumes a lot of time. This includes both the actual cleaning and the period that the system is shut off to aid the proper cleaning. In some cases, the residents are required to vacate the home or the office for a certain period of time after the actual cleaning to avoid contact with particular chemicals.

What does the Air-Conditioning Chemical Cleaning package include?

• Thorough chemical cleaning of the indoor and outdoor units and their parts;
• Re-installation after the cleaning;
• Refrigerant top-up;

When you know what you’re dealing with, you can easily decide whether or not to ask your technician to clean your units chemically. Generally, it all depends on how regularly your service your aircon and how well it’s actually done each time. If you take good care of your AC, you won’t really need chemical cleaning. On the other hand, if you haven’t serviced your aircon recently, it’s highly recommended that you do it as soon as possible. 

One thing that you must remember is that all chemicals are harmful, especially those that remove dirt, oil, grime, and scale. The main chemical used for AC cleanings is Sodium Hydroxide. It’s imperative that the cleaning is done by a licensed professional because if the chemical is not in the right diluted proportion, it may eventually do more harm than good. After the procedure, make sure that you flush the unit properly. What you should do is wash it with clean water to remove any impurities and chemical products left.

Additional Tips and Warnings

Before you decide to hire a professional to service your aircon and do a chemical cleaning, you first have to make a few things clear:

1. You need to be sure that your unit really needs a chemical cleaning. Therefore, the technician should first provide you with evidence of the presence of microbes and bacteria in your AC. You should insist on real-time evidence. If you’re still unsure, you can consult an independent expert to do another check-up.
2. When you’re sure that your system is infected with bacteria, you should make sure that there are no other effective ways to remove the unwanted microorganisms and that chemical cleaning is the only way to do it.
3. Last but not least, you should ask your technician about the particular chemicals that he’s about to use. This includes the name, the precautions, the side effects, and the possible risks. In such cases, you should bear in mind that the clients must vacate the premises as the chemicals are applied. In addition, you should remove any food or water from the room so as to prevent intoxication.

Conclusion

Finally, you can always rely on chemical cleaning to remove all unwanted particles and bacteria from your aircon system. Of course, you can avoid all this by taking good care of your AC and scheduling regular check-ups of your system. Having it regularly serviced will ensure that your air conditioner is clean and at peak performance all the time. To perform regular and proper maintenance, you need to call a professional HV/AC technician. If you’re looking for the best aircon servicing in your area, you can find top quality aircon services in Singapore with Subcool today.