Tradie warns homeowners about toxic air conditioner hazards!

The Australian summer will bring in scorching heat and oppressive humidity in the coming months.

It's time to rely on the trusty air conditioning units for a cool, calming breeze.

Before you bask in the refreshing air, there's a critical warning that all homeowners and renters should heed.


A recent incident in Melbourne highlighted the hidden dangers lurking within our air conditioning systems.

A Melbourne tradie's shocking find in an air conditioning unit sparked an urgent summer warning.

Mark from Simple Air Solutions showed an air conditioning unit's filters destroyed, presumably by a cleaning attempt gone wrong.


compressed-ac filter.jpeg
Mark expressed his shock when he saw the busted AC unit filters in one home. Image Credit: TikTok/Simple Air Solutions


The state of the filters took Mark aback, as it did not protect the tenants against harmful elements circulating through the air.

Mark speculated that the filters might have been cleaned with a 'very acidic' substance and 'potentially let them soak and never rinsed them off'.

The footage taken at the rental property immediately circulated online and garnered mixed reactions.

Some joked that it looked 'cleaned out with fire', while others guessed that an oven cleaner might have been used for cleaning the unit.


Mark emphasised that AC filters need to be cleaned every six months or at least once a year.

Neglecting air conditioner filters could lead to a 20 to 30 per cent loss in efficiency.

If filters are regularly cleaned, there should be no need to replace them unless they have been ignored for an extended period.

How can one tell if the air conditioner filters need to be changed?

According to Mark, once the material has visibly deteriorated or is difficult to clean, it's time for a replacement.

Filters that can't catch dust are essentially defective and can compromise the air quality inside the house.


Mark shared several tips to keep air conditioning cool throughout the summer.

Set your thermostat warmer as the outdoor temperature rises.

For instance, on a 40°C day, setting the indoor temperature to 26°C rather than 22°C could reduce the strain on the system, allowing it to cycle off and improve efficiency.

He also advised turning the AC units on before a heatwave rather than waiting until the last minute.

Similarly, setting AC units to a moderate temperature before heading out could help the system manage heat more effectively.


Mark also urged homeowners and renters to check their outdoor unit.

Always make sure that there are no obstructions to the airflow, as it needs to discharge heat efficiently.

Another simple yet often overlooked tip is to replace the AC remote's batteries.

Using fresh batteries could prevent corrosion, which could often lead to a costly replacement.

Watch Mark's full video here:

Source: @simple.air1/TikTok

For those who have followed these tips and still encounter a malfunctioning AC, it's time to call in a professional.

Regular maintenance and prompt repairs could extend the life of air conditioning units and keep everyone comfortable all summer long.
Key Takeaways

  • A tradie discovered that a renter's air conditioning unit filters were destroyed, which was suspected to be due to improper cleaning.
  • Regular cleaning of AC unit filters should happen every six months, as neglected filters could significantly reduce their performance.
  • Setting the thermostat moderately on hot days and ensuring the outdoor unit is not obstructed can improve an AC unit's efficiency.
  • Fresh batteries should be installed in the remote control yearly to avoid damage from old batteries.
Have you ever encountered a similar issue with your AC unit? Do you have any air conditioning maintenance tips to share with us? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!
 

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That was a very useful tip, and well done to Mark the Tradie, who took the trouble to provide the info, which would not harm his business either. It would be great to get more articles like this one, as I believe they could be very useful to those of us who are not particularly handy or have been pencil pushers for most of our lives. (I wish I had an air conditioner.)
 
Crazy stuff. You simply rinse filters under the tap, brush gently, then dry off with a paper towel or cloth.

Trouble is, mould builds up inside the air con as well. Not just dust on the removable filters. Cleaning inside is a tad trickier.

Google is your friend for those one, or get a professional in, if you have the money.

I know people who haven't cleaned their air con or had it serviced for 20+ years....and guess what? Their house reeks of pungent smells, including their dog.
 
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Reactions: Penny4 and Dynamo
One of the first things we did when buying a new house, clean all the filters. In our last house I don’t think they’d ever been cleaned.
 
I clean our filters every 6 months under running water .

On a hot day I close all windows, blinds and curtains and when you come inside it feels like your walking into an air conditioned house. If I'm cooking on a warm day I will put the air con on
 
I always get mine out and brush them and then I'll either soak them or run warm water on them, then it's just a quick shake and let them dry out. Usually do mine once a month
 

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