Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance to Enhance Office Efficiency

Ask anyone on the streets: Air conditioning is essential in Dubai. No one will eat at a non-air conditioned restaurant, get their haircut at a non-AC salon, shop at a non-AC department store, or work in a non-AC office.

Dubai’s tropical desert climate demands air conditioning, and ACs must perform optimally and work uninterruptedly. In this context, regular preventive air conditioner maintenance must be part of your office maintenance services.

The Why: Key Benefits of Air Conditioning Maintenance

Without regular upkeep, AC systems become less efficient, and inefficient ACs are ineffective at keeping interiors (and their occupants) cool and comfortable. They also lead to bigger electricity consumption, higher repair costs, and potentially compromised indoor air quality.

AC maintenance is, therefore, necessary not only to ensure the comfort of office occupants but also to prolong the life of air conditioning units, optimize energy consumption, and lower operating costs.

• Operating cost savings: A regularly maintained AC system runs at optimal efficiency and consumes less energy. This means lower electricity bills which, in turn, reduces operating costs.
• Improved air quality: Dust and debris can clog filters and AC ducts over time, leading to poor air quality. Regular AC maintenance decreases the risk of allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues triggered or aggravated by dirt trapped in AC filters and air ducts.
• Prolonged equipment life: Regular checks prevent minor issues from turning into major problems. Persistent condensation drainage issues, for instance, can lead to the corrosion of metal parts, shortening the AC unit’s lifespan or necessitating expensive parts replacements.
• Fewer breakdowns: Emergency repairs are costly and inconvenient. Scheduled maintenance, meanwhile, is less likely to cause downtimes because you can be ready with a backup plan.
• Environmental benefits: Energy efficiency due to regular AC maintenance means less energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint.

The How: Essential Maintenance Tasks for Optimal Performance

Ask your service provider for their recommended essential AC maintenance tasks. You can also use the following list as a guide when commissioning AC maintenance work:

Replace or clean filters frequently.

AC filters trap dust, dirt, and other airborne particles so they won’t cause buildup on condensers, damage sensitive electronics or cause clogging. As such, they naturally accumulate a layer of debris over time.

Once they’re dirty, filters can obstruct airflow, forcing the AC to work harder to cool your space. This leads to inefficiencies that result in higher energy bills and excessive equipment wear.

Check the filters at least once a month for office environments with high traffic or dust. Replace disposable filters at this frequency or clean reusable ones to keep airflow at peak levels.

Keep coils clean

Air conditioners have heat exchangers: the evaporator coils and condenser coils.

Evaporator coils cool the air inside the room. Technically speaking, they transfer the heat from the air in the room to the refrigerant inside, effectively cooling the air. The now warm refrigerant travels to the condenser coils found in the outdoor unit of the AC system. The condenser coils release the heat outside, transfer the heat to the air outdoors, and cause the refrigerant to cool down, ready for another run inside the evaporator coils.

Evaporator and condenser coils naturally accumulate dirt over time. Keeping them clean is essential because even a thin layer of grime reduces their ability to absorb and release heat. Clean them more frequently if the system is exposed to dirt or debris or located in a dusty environment.

Unclog condensate drains

As evaporator coils absorb the heat inside a room, the drop in temperature causes water vapour to condense in the AC unit. This is why AC systems come equipped with condensate drain lines that direct the liquid out.

If condensate drains are clogged, moisture will build up. This reduces system efficiency (higher energy consumption), causes high humidity (increased discomfort) and creates a breeding ground for mould (increased health hazards). If the condensate overflows and leaks, it can corrode and damage AC parts.

Check the thermostat settings

Your thermostat should be calibrated correctly to maintain your office temperature at optimal levels. Check whether the system responds accurately to thermostat adjustments.

Does your office use a programmable thermostat? Make sure it’s set so it’s aligned with office hours, minimising energy consumption when the office is unoccupied.

Inspect electrical connections and components.

Electrical issues are a leading cause of air conditioning system breakdowns. Loose or faulty wiring can also lead to serious system failures and pose a fire hazard. Therefore, electrical components must be regularly inspected, and any loose connections must be identified and adjusted. If you notice any signs of wear or overheating, contact a professional technician to address the issue immediately.

Regular AC Maintenance

Incorporate the above steps into your AC system maintenance routine. Regular air conditioning maintenance is essential to the smooth operation of your AC system and your office’s efficiency and productivity.

While your staff can clean your AC filters, the rest of the tasks should be left to professionals. Thus, it’s best to procure an office maintenance service that includes quarterly AC system maintenance.