Servicing is easy to forget until something goes wrong. Yet a modest, regular service is what keeps an air conditioner efficient, reliable and healthy to breathe around. So how often should it actually happen?
Residential systems
For most homes, a professional service once a year is a sensible baseline. The ideal time is spring, before the cooling season, or autumn before you rely on heating. That timing means any issues are found before the system is under heavy load. If your home is dusty, near a main road, or you run the system hard year-round, more frequent attention can be worthwhile.
Commercial systems
Commercial and multi-zone systems generally need servicing more often — frequently several times a year — because they run longer hours and support more people. This is usually handled through a planned agreement, which we explain in commercial HVAC maintenance contracts explained.
What you can do between services
There are a few simple things homeowners can do themselves to keep things running well between professional visits:
- Clean or replace filters regularly during heavy-use months
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, plants and debris
- Watch for changes in airflow, noise or smell
- Give the system a short test run before the season starts
What a professional service includes
A thorough service goes well beyond a filter clean. A technician will check refrigerant levels and look for leaks, clean coils, inspect electrical connections and safety controls, test performance and identify anything wearing out before it fails. It is the same preventative thinking behind 5 signs your AC needs a service before summer.
J&S Air Conditioning services all major brands across Melbourne. If your system is overdue, book a service and we will get it ready for the season ahead.
