Most people don’t think about their ducted air conditioning maintenance until something goes wrong. Your ducted system needs professional servicing at least once a year to work at its best, and neglecting basic care can seriously damage your system and affect your home’s comfort.
Well-maintained systems create more comfortable homes with lower energy costs and longer lifespans, and there are some things you can do yourself before calling in the professionals. We’ll run you through the signs to look out for, as well as the DIY tasks you can do between services.
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Understanding Your Ducted Air Conditioning System
Your ducted air conditioning system is one of the biggest investments you’ll make for your home’s comfort. Brisbane homeowners choose these systems for their whole-home cooling ability, but it’s important to understand how they work before getting stuck into any DIY servicing.
What is a ducted aircon system?
A ducted air conditioning system uses two main parts that work together to keep your home comfortable. You’ll find the indoor unit hidden in your ceiling space or under the floor, which connects to a network of flexible ducts that send air through vents in each room. The outdoor unit sits quietly outside your home.
Unlike split systems, ducted air conditioning offers centralised climate control through ceiling vents placed at key spots. Your system pulls air through a return air grille, and a filter catches household dust before the air moves through the cooling or heating cycle.
Why regular maintenance is essential
You should have a professional service at least once a year to keep it running at its best. Dirty filters and ducts can affect your family’s air quality, and systems that don’t get proper care use more power and cost more to run.
Well-maintained units often run for 15-20 years or more, and it also keeps your warranty valid. Skipping maintenance might leave you paying for expensive repairs that warranty would have covered.
DIY Ducted Air Conditioning Maintenance
DIY maintenance will substantially extend your ducted air conditioning’s lifespan and keep it running efficiently between professional services.
Clean ducted air conditioner filters
Your air filters need the most attention as a DIY task. You’ll find the return air grille as a rectangular panel on your ceiling. Just undo the thumbscrews or sliding clips to open it. After that, slide out the filter and:
- Rinse under gentle water flow
- Use warm, soapy water to tackle stubborn dirt
- Let it dry completely before putting it back
Clean filters help maintain proper airflow that improves your system’s performance and indoor air quality.
Checking and clearing the outdoor unit
Your outdoor unit collects leaves, dirt and debris throughout the year. You should:
- Wipe down the unit to clear debris
- Remove leaf litter and brush off dust
- Keep at least 30cm space around the unit clear
- Clean up grass clippings after mowing nearby
Debris buildup forces your compressor to work harder than needed.
Keeping vents and return grilles dust-free
When you spot dust on vents and ducts:
- Use your vacuum’s brush attachment
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth
Cleaning around the drain lines and gutters
Find your system’s drainage points (usually in gutters) and:
- Remove leaves and debris from gutters
- Check drain lines for proper flow
- Clear blockages to prevent water damage
Blocked drains might cause ceiling water damage or harm internal components.
When to Call in the Professionals
Professional servicing is important to keep your Brisbane air conditioner running at its best. Regular maintenance also helps spot problems early to save you from expensive repairs.
How often should ducted air conditioning be serviced?
You should get a professional service at least once a year. The best time to schedule maintenance is before summer’s peak usage. If you’re constantly running your AC, you might want a service it more often.
Signs your ducted aircon needs servicing
Your system will give you clear signals when it needs professional help. Call us if you spot:
- Strange noises (banging, rattling, squealing or grinding)
- Poor cooling or weak airflow from vents
- Water leaks around indoor or outdoor units
- Strange odours (musty or burning smells)
- Sudden spikes in electricity bills
- System turning on and off too
- Zones cooling unevenly
What happens during a professional service
When you call us for a service, we’ll check every part of your system. We’ll take care of everything, from cleaning the filters and coils to checking refrigerant levels and testing electrical connections.
How to prepare your home for a service visit
Make your service visit smoother by clearing space around indoor and outdoor units. Keep pets away from work areas and gather any maintenance records or warranty information. If you’ve noticed any issues, let us know so we can diagnose problems faster.
Benefits of Regular Ducted Aircon Maintenance
The benefits of regular maintenance go beyond keeping your home cool and comfortable.
Improved energy efficiency and lower bills
A properly managed ducted system runs more efficiently and uses less power to cool or heat your home. Clean filters and coils can boost efficiency by up to 15%, which can make a big difference to your power bill.
Better indoor air quality
A clean system keeps your home’s air healthy, which is especially important when you have family members with asthma or allergies. Regular servicing removes dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants that could spread throughout your home.
Longer lifespan
A quality ducted system can last up to 20 years with proper care. If you’re not staying on top of maintenance and getting regular servicing, your system will develop more problems over time and might fail earlier.
Avoiding costly repairs
Regular checkups help spot potential problems before they become serious issues. This lowers your risk of unexpected breakdowns and helps you dodge expensive repairs.
Stay On Top of Your Ducted AC Maintenance
Caring for your ducted air conditioning doesn’t require complex technical knowledge. Keeping up with the basics and knowing when to ask for professional help makes all the difference.
The BG Electrical and Air Con team is ready to help with DIY maintenance tips or detailed professional servicing to keep your ducted system running smoothly through Brisbane’s hottest days. Contact us for a free quote, or give us a call to see how we can help.
