Keeping Your Air Conditioner Efficient
Regular maintenance saves electricity, extends lifespan and reduces breakdowns.
Professional answers about aircon sizing, installations, inverter units, electricity usage, water leaks, cooling problems, servicing, maintenance, noise levels, guarantees and choosing the right air conditioner for your home or business.
Air conditioning is not only about fitting a unit on the wall. Correct sizing, proper installation materials, vacuuming, drainage, servicing and honest fault finding all make a major difference to how long your system lasts.
This FAQ page was created by Airsense Airconditioning Pty Ltd to help Cape Town customers make better decisions before booking an aircon installation, repair, deep clean major service, regas or maintenance plan.
The correct BTU size helps your aircon cool properly, run efficiently and avoid unnecessary strain.
First multiply the length of your room by the width to calculate the square meters. Then use this as a basic guide:
| Room Size | Recommended Aircon Size | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 18 m² | 9 000 BTU | Small bedroom or compact office |
| 19 – 25 m² | 12 000 BTU | Standard bedroom or small lounge |
| 26 – 36 m² | 18 000 BTU | Larger bedroom, lounge or office |
| 37 – 50 m² | 24 000 BTU | Large lounge, open-plan area or shop |
| 51 – 60 m² | 30 000 BTU | Large open-plan space |
| 61 – 65 m² | 36 000 BTU | Very large room or commercial space |
Yes. If an air conditioner is undersized, it will run harder for longer, struggle to reach the set temperature, use more electricity and may wear out faster. This is one reason why proper sizing before installation is so important.
Yes. An oversized aircon may cool the room too quickly without properly removing humidity. This can create uneven comfort, short cycling and unnecessary energy usage. Bigger is not always better — the correct size is better.
The following can affect the correct size:
Large windows, afternoon sun, flat roofs and poor insulation can increase heat load.
A bedroom, office, kitchen, shop or open-plan lounge may each need different sizing.
More people, computers, fridges or appliances add extra heat to the space.
Coastal humidity, hot summer days and wind exposure can affect performance.
Send Airsense your room size, a few photos and your area. We’ll guide you honestly before you spend money.
💬 WhatsApp My Room SizeA neat installation is not just about appearance. Correct installation protects your aircon, your property and your warranty.
A back-to-back installation is usually the most cost-effective option for a wall-mounted split air conditioner. The indoor unit is installed on an exterior wall and the outdoor unit is positioned directly behind it outside. This keeps the pipe run short, neat and efficient.
A standard back-to-back aircon installation usually takes about 3 to 4 hours. The time can vary depending on wall type, access, height, pipe run, trunking, electrical work, drilling, drainage and the level of difficulty.
A proper aircon installation requires the correct materials to ensure safe, neat and reliable operation.
Mandatory materials may include:Vacuuming removes air and moisture from the refrigeration pipework before the unit is commissioned. Moisture inside the system can cause poor performance, acid formation, compressor damage and future breakdowns. Proper vacuuming is one of the signs of a professional installation.
Yes. We provide a standard 1-year workmanship guarantee on our installations and repairs. Manufacturer warranties vary by brand and model. We believe in doing the job properly the first time.
Not every air conditioner that stops cooling needs gas. Proper fault finding can save you thousands of Rand.
There are many possible causes including:
Water leaks are commonly caused by:
Continuing to use a leaking air conditioner may damage ceilings, walls, wooden flooring and furniture.
Residential air conditioners should generally be serviced once every year. Commercial systems, restaurants, server rooms, gyms and offices often require servicing every 3 to 6 months depending on usage.
Unlike a normal service, a Deep Clean Major Service involves dismantling the indoor unit, pressure cleaning the evaporator coil, blower wheel, drain tray, drainage system and sanitising internal components.
This restores airflow, improves cooling performance, reduces bad smells and helps prevent expensive repairs.
Get honest advice from Airsense Airconditioning before replacing expensive parts.
💬 Request HelpRegular maintenance saves electricity, extends lifespan and reduces breakdowns.
| Inverter | Non-Inverter |
|---|---|
| Variable speed compressor | Fixed speed compressor |
| Lower electricity usage | Higher electricity usage |
| Quieter | Louder |
| Better temperature control | Temperature fluctuates more |
| Higher purchase price | Lower purchase price |
Power usage depends on the size of the air conditioner, outdoor temperature, room insulation and how often it operates. Generally residential systems consume between approximately 500 watts and 3 500 watts while operating.
A quality air conditioner typically lasts 10–15 years, while well-maintained systems can exceed 20 years. Regular servicing, proper installation and keeping coils clean all help extend lifespan.
Yes. Most washable indoor filters should be cleaned every few weeks depending on dust levels and usage. Professional servicing is still recommended annually to clean components you cannot safely access.
Learn more about the important components inside your air conditioner and how they affect performance, efficiency and reliability.
The compressor is often called the heart of the air conditioning system. It compresses and circulates refrigerant throughout the system, allowing heat to be removed from your home or office. Without a functioning compressor, your air conditioner cannot cool effectively.
The outdoor unit contains the compressor, condenser coil, condenser fan and electrical components. It removes heat collected from inside your building and releases it outdoors.
The indoor air filter traps dust, pollen and airborne particles before they enter the evaporator coil. Dirty filters reduce airflow, increase electricity usage and reduce cooling performance.
EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the EER, the more cooling an air conditioner produces for every unit of electricity consumed. Choosing an energy-efficient model can reduce long-term running costs.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. It refers to systems that control indoor temperature, airflow, humidity and comfort.
Yes. Most modern reverse-cycle air conditioners provide both cooling during summer and efficient heating during winter, making them one of the most economical heating solutions available.
If your air conditioner is relatively new and repairs are economical, repairing it is often the best option. However, if the unit is very old, frequently breaking down or requires expensive major components, replacement may offer better long-term value.
Yes. Airsense Airconditioning services residential and commercial customers throughout Cape Town including the Southern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs, Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl, CBD and many surrounding areas.
Trusted by customers throughout Cape Town.
Quality workmanship and personal service.
Professional installations, servicing and repairs.
No unnecessary repairs or upselling. We recommend what's best for your system.
Whether you need a new installation, fault finding, repairs, servicing, a deep clean major service or a maintenance plan, Airsense Airconditioning is ready to help.
View recent air conditioning installations, repairs and deep clean major services completed across Cape Town.
Protect your investment with planned preventative maintenance for residential and commercial systems.
See the many Cape Town suburbs where Airsense Airconditioning proudly operates.
Not sure what you need? Contact us and we'll gladly point you in the right direction.