AIRCON ADVICE & FACTS

Honest aircon advice to help you stay comfortable and save.

Q: Why is my aircon not cooling properly?

The most common cause is a dirty filter restricting airflow. Check and clean the filters first. If cooling is still weak, the unit may be low on refrigerant, have a dirty coil, or be iced over — all of which a technician should inspect.

Q: What temperature should I set my aircon to save electricity?

Around 22–24°C is a comfortable, efficient target for Gauteng summers. Every degree lower uses noticeably more power. Using fans and closing sun-facing curtains lets you set the unit a degree or two higher without losing comfort.

Q: How do I know what size aircon I need?

Size depends on room area, ceiling height, sun exposure and how many people use the space. As a rough guide, 9000 BTU suits a small bedroom, 12000 BTU a living room or office, and 18000 BTU+ a larger or sun-facing room. A site visit gives an honest, accurate recommendation.

Q: Can I repair my aircon myself?

Cleaning filters and keeping the outdoor unit clear are safe to do yourself. Anything involving refrigerant, electrical parts, the compressor or motors should be left to a qualified technician — these are pressurised and live electrical components.

Q: When should I switch my aircon off and call for help?

Switch it off and call a technician if you notice ice on the coils, water leaking indoors, a burning smell, the power tripping, or loud grinding and rattling noises. Running a faulty unit usually makes the repair more expensive.

Q: Do you give advice for both homes and businesses?

Yes. We help residential and commercial customers across Gauteng choose, install, service and repair air conditioning. Message Paul on WhatsApp or call 064 706 7047 with your space and what you need, and we will give you honest, practical advice.

Practical, accurate guidance on maintaining, repairing and choosing air conditioning — for homes and businesses across Gauteng. No fluff, no invented guarantees: just the facts that help you make the right call.

Ask Paul for Advice See Our Services

USEFUL GUIDANCE

Aircon advice you can actually use.

From keeping your current unit healthy to choosing a new one, here is what we tell our residential and commercial customers across Gauteng.

Aircon maintenance basics

A little regular care keeps an air conditioner cooling well, lasting longer and running quieter — for both home and business units.

Clean or replace the filters

Clogged filters restrict airflow and force the unit to work harder. Check indoor filters every month or two during heavy-use seasons and clean or replace them when they look dirty. This is the single most useful thing you can do yourself.

Keep the outdoor unit clear

Make sure the outdoor condenser has roughly a metre of clear space around it. Trim back plants, clear leaves and debris, and avoid stacking items against it so heat can escape freely.

Book a professional service

A yearly service lets a technician check refrigerant levels, clean coils and fins, clear the drain line and confirm the system is running safely. Regular servicing helps catch small issues before they become costly repairs.

Watch the drain line

A blocked condensate drain can cause water to back up and leak indoors or trigger the unit to shut down. If you notice water around the indoor unit, switch it off and have the drain checked.

Common aircon repair signs

Air conditioners usually warn you before they fail completely. Spotting these signs early can save you a bigger repair bill and a hot, uncomfortable space.

Weak or warm airflow

If the unit runs but barely cools, the filters may be dirty, refrigerant may be low, or a coil could be iced over. Start with the filters, and if that does not help, call a technician.

Strange noises or smells

Grinding, rattling or squealing usually points to a fan, motor or bearing problem. A musty smell often means moisture or mould inside the unit. Both are best checked by a professional.

Short cycling

When the aircon turns on and off every few minutes without reaching the set temperature, it is working too hard. This can be a thermostat issue, an oversized unit, or a refrigerant problem.

Water or ice around the unit

Ice on the pipes or water pooling indoors usually means restricted airflow or a refrigerant issue. Switch the unit off to let ice melt before it is inspected, and avoid running it until the cause is fixed.

Running your aircon efficiently

Small habits make a real difference to your electricity bill — useful for homes and especially for businesses running multiple units.

Set a sensible temperature

Each degree lower uses noticeably more power. Around 22–24°C is a comfortable, efficient target for most Gauteng summers. Avoid setting the unit to its coldest to "cool faster" — it does not cool the room any quicker.

Use fans and curtains

Ceiling or pedestal fans help distribute cooled air so you can set the aircon a degree or two higher. Closing curtains and blinds on sun-facing windows reduces the heat the unit has to overcome.

Cool the room, not the world

Close doors to unused rooms and avoid running units in empty spaces. Zoning — cooling only the areas you are using — is one of the easiest ways to cut running costs.

Maintain efficiency with servicing

A dirty coil or low refrigerant can drop a unit’s efficiency by a surprising amount. Regular servicing keeps the system running close to its designed efficiency.

Choosing the right unit

The right air conditioner depends on room size, sun exposure, ceiling height and how the space is used — not just the biggest unit you can find.

Match capacity to the room

An undersized unit runs constantly and never quite cools; an oversized one short-cycles and dehumidifies poorly. Capacity is measured in BTU. As a rough guide, a 9000 BTU unit suits a small bedroom, 12000 BTU a living room or office, and 18000 BTU+ a larger or sun-facing space.

Inverter vs non-inverter

Inverter units adjust their speed instead of switching on and off, so they use less power and hold a steadier temperature. They cost a bit more upfront but usually pay back through lower running costs.

Think about the whole space

High ceilings, large windows, insulation and the number of people in a room all affect the size you need. A site visit lets a technician recommend the right capacity and placement honestly.

Ask for a written quote

A clear, written quote should cover the unit, installation and any extras so you can compare like for like. We are happy to beat a comparable written quote from another Gauteng aircon company.

Residential vs commercial

Homes and businesses have different cooling needs. Understanding the difference helps you plan the right system for the space and the people in it.

Residential systems

Homes usually need one or more split units sized to individual rooms. The priorities are quiet operation, comfort and running cost. Placement matters — a unit in the wrong spot can leave parts of a room warm.

Commercial systems

Offices, shops and restaurants often need several units or a larger system running for long hours. Reliability, even cooling across open areas and servicing access become more important than for a single home unit.

Plan for usage patterns

A business running units all day benefits from efficient inverter systems and a regular service schedule. A home used mostly in the evenings may prioritise quiet, affordable bedroom and lounge units.

We do both

Our team installs, services and repairs air conditioning and refrigeration for residential and commercial customers across Gauteng — from a single bedroom unit to larger office and retail cooling.

When to call a professional

Some checks are safe to do yourself. Others involve refrigerant, electrical work or pressurised parts and should always be left to a qualified technician.

Safe to do yourself

Cleaning indoor filters, keeping the outdoor unit clear of debris, and checking that vents are open and unobstructed are all reasonable homeowner or tenant tasks.

Call a technician

Refrigerant leaks, electrical faults, compressor or motor noise, ice on the coils, and any burning smell or tripping breaker need a professional. These involve pressurised gas and live electrical parts.

Do not ignore persistent issues

A unit that keeps tripping power, leaking water, or losing cooling performance will usually get worse — and more expensive — the longer it runs. Switch it off and book a call-out.

Fast call-outs across Gauteng

Message Paul on WhatsApp or call 064 706 7047 with your area and what is happening. We will let you know the earliest a technician can get to you — and you only pay once the work is done.

Not sure which applies to your situation? Tell us about your space and we will give you honest, practical advice — with no obligation.

Get Advice on WhatsApp View Aircon Services

QUICK ANSWERS

Aircon advice FAQ

Common questions about maintaining, repairing and choosing an air conditioner. Still stuck? Message Paul on WhatsApp and we will help.

Ask Paul a Question

How often should I service my air conditioner?

For most homes, a professional service once a year is enough. Commercial systems that run for long hours may benefit from servicing twice a year. In between services, clean or replace the indoor filters yourself every month or two during peak season.

Why is my aircon not cooling properly?

What temperature should I set my aircon to save electricity?

How do I know what size aircon I need?

Is an inverter aircon worth it?

Can I repair my aircon myself?

When should I switch my aircon off and call for help?

Do you give advice for both homes and businesses?

Ready for help with your aircon? Explore our services or get in touch with the team.

GET IN TOUCH

Get A Free
Consultation.

Tell us about your aircon installation, service or repair. Got a comparable written quote? Send it over and we’ll do our best to beat it.

Call us064 706 7047 Email usoffice@affordableaircon.co.za

Based inMidrand, Gauteng

READY TO GET STARTED?

Let’s get your space feeling right.

Message Paul with your location, what you need help with, and any details about your unit. We’ll take it from there.

WhatsApp Paul Prefer to talk? Give us a call ↗