8 Air Conditioning Mistakes to Avoid At All Costs

With spring in the air and the imminent threat of summer scorchers on the horizon, there’s nothing like the peace of mind a well-functioning air conditioner can bring, right? Considering that over 75% of Australian households rely on air conditioning to keep cool, it’s clear that a reliable system is a must. But what if your AC unit isn’t living up to the hype? More often than not, it’s not the air conditioning system at fault. 

Simple air conditioning mistakes, like choosing the wrong installer or setting the temperature too low, can lead to hefty electricity bills, inefficient cooling, and costly repairs.

As Brisbane’s leading air conditioning experts, we’re here to help you keep your cool without falling into these all-too-common traps. In this article, we share some of the air conditioning mistakes we see the most, and how to avoid them.

1. Choosing an Installer Based on the Cheapest Price

We all love a good deal, but in terms of air conditioning installation, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. After all, you get what you pay for! Choosing an air conditioner installer solely based on them offering the lowest price can actually end up costing you a lot more in the long run. 

It’s key to remember that cheap quotes often come with a catch, or several! For instance, low-quality materials, rushed work, or a lack of knowledge and experience. These cut corners can lead to issues with air conditioners, like less than optimal performance, higher electricity bills, frequent repairs, and even the need for complete reinstallation down the road.

Another important step before choosing a reliable air conditioning installer is to do your homework by reading their reviews. Check what other customers have to say about their experiences. There’s no point in pushing the button on the lowest quote when it’s backed by a long list of customer complaints. When it comes to the comfort of your home, investing in quality air conditioning installation upfront can save you money, time, and stress later.

2. Oversizing Your Unit

Bigger isn’t always better. Installing an air conditioning unit that’s too large for your space might seem like a way to ensure comfort, but it’s an air conditioning mistake, and typically has the opposite effect. An oversized air conditioning unit will cool your home too fast, causing the unit to cycle on and off regularly. This rapid cycling leads to major temperature fluctuations throughout the day, with a side of increased power bills.

Furthermore, as the air conditioning unit doesn’t run long enough to dehumidify the air properly, you could end up with higher humidity levels indoors. This can make your home feel damp and uncomfortable, even if the temperature seems cool. 

Choosing an air conditioning system that’s an appropriate size for your home is an essential element of maintaining comfortable, efficient, and cost-effective cooling. Always consult a professional to ensure the AC unit you choose is the perfect fit for your space.

3. Undersizing Your Unit

While oversizing is a common air conditioning mistake, going too small is just as common (and just as problematic). It’s not unheard of for installers to undersize an air conditioning unit to offer the cheapest quote and beat the competition. However, an air conditioner that’s too small for your space will grapple with your cooling needs. It will have to work overtime, constantly running without ever cycling off. 

Not only does this result in the unit not delivering optimal cooling, but it can cause premature wear and tear, shortening the unit’s lifespan, and lead to unnecessarily high energy bills.

What’s more, when an air conditioner overworks, it can experience condensation issues within the ducted components. This can lead to mould growth and damage over the longer term. To avoid these issues, ensuring your air conditioner is the right size for your home by consulting a professional is essential.

4. Not Cleaning Your Air Filter

One of the most common air conditioning mistakes we see is homeowners neglecting to clean the air filter on their air conditioning systems. Over time, dust, dirt, and other particles accumulate, causing the air filter to become blocked. A blocked air filter leads to lower coil temperatures, which can significantly increase the risk of condensation forming around your AC unit’s grilles. Not only can this leave unsightly stains, but it can result in costly repairs.

When your unit’s air filter is dirty, it has to work harder to push air through it, diminishing efficiency and increasing your power bills. To avoid this, it’s important to clean or replace air conditioning air filters to maintain optimal airflow, improve indoor air quality, and prevent unnecessary strain on your system. It’s a simple step you can take that can save you money and keep your home comfortable all year round.

5. Neglecting Air conditioning Maintenance

Just like cars, air conditioners require routine maintenance to keep them doing their best work. Ignoring your AC system’s maintenance needs can lead to a variety of issues that you can easily avoid. Cooling system maintenance is more than just cleaning the air filter. It encompasses checking refrigerant levels, inspecting coils, and making sure all components are working well. Without having a professional tend to these routine tasks, you can expect your air conditioner to lose efficiency and even breakdown, and your energy bills to skyrocket.

Routine air conditioning maintenance helps spot minor issues before they become major, costly problems. It also extends the lifespan of your AC unit and helps it operate at peak performance. Investing in professional AC system maintenance is a smart move that can save you money and prevent the frustration of dealing with air conditioning problems during the height of summer.

6. Covering Your Outdoor Unit

Putting a cover over your outdoor air conditioner unit to hide it from view or shield it from the elements may be tempting, but it’s a common air conditioning mistake that causes more harm than good. A solid supply of fresh air is required to cool the AC system’s outdoor unit and help it expel hot air away from itself. So, when you restrict this airflow by placing a cover over the unit, it has to work a lot harder to cool your space, leading to performance inefficiencies, increased electricity bills and even damage to the AC system.

We commonly find this to be the issue with underperforming systems. Luckily, the solution is simple: remove the cover! Ensuring the space around your outdoor unit remains free of obstructions promotes optimal AC performance and efficiency.

7. Setting the Temperature Too Low

Turning your air conditioner down to arctic levels during the hotter summer months might seem like the quickest way to get cool air pumping through your home, but it can be a costly air conditioning mistake, in more ways than one! 

We recommend that you set your air conditioner temperature no lower than 24 degrees, especially in humid areas like Brisbane and the Gold Coast. By keeping your air conditioner at this level, you can ensure comfort without overworking the unit.

It’s helpful to know that, for every degree lower than 24 degrees, you may be increasing your running costs by as much as 10%. Obviously, this burns a hole in your wallet, but it also increases the risk of condensation as the AC unit might never cycle off. This constant operation can, therefore, lead to higher humidity levels inside your home, while putting unnecessary strain on your AC system.

8. Leaving Your Windows Open

This air conditioning mistake might seem like a no-brainer, but running air conditioning units while the windows are open is never a good idea. There’s a common misconception that if you run an air conditioner with your windows open, you can let fresh air into the space while simultaneously cooling it down. On the contrary, having open windows while the AC is running seriously increases your energy usage and costs, as your air conditioning system has to work much harder to cool the outside air coming in.

If you want to freshen up your home, use security screens so you can have your windows open when you’re not using the air conditioning. This way, the fresh air can flow through when you’re out and about, and then when you get home, you can close the windows and turn on your AC. This way, you can enjoy comfortable cool air, save energy, and mitigate moisture problems.

Trusted Ducted Air Conditioning Service Brisbane

Avoiding these common air conditioning mistakes can save you money, reduce your household energy consumption, and make sure your home stays comfortable all year round. The key to getting the most out of your AC system is having trusted air conditioning professionals in your corner. From sourcing the right-sized air conditioning unit for your home and installing it professionally, to conducting routine air conditioning maintenance and sharing top tips for optimal performance, a reliable local expert makes all the difference!

Don’t leave your comfort to chance. Contact us today for a free quote and let us help you keep your cool with confidence.