Air conditioning · Ownership & maintenance
How to keep a split AC running well for a decade.
Primary question · What do I actually need to do once it's installed?
The two things that kill a UK split are dirty filters and skipped annual services. Both are trivial to fix. A clean unit at year ten is still hitting 90%+ of its day-one efficiency.
The five questions
Is this right for me?
Anyone who's just had a split installed; or anyone whose old one feels weaker than it used to.
What will it cost?
DIY filter cleaning: free. Annual F-Gas service: £80–£150. Coil clean: £100–£200 every 3–5 years.
Advantages
- Genuinely simple maintenance
- Extends lifespan to 15+ years
- Keeps efficiency near new
Trade-offs
- Annual service is non-negotiable for warranty
- DIY beyond filter cleaning isn't worth the warranty risk
What to do next
Add an annual service reminder to your calendar; that's it.
House Summary
A split AC owned well outlasts the boiler it shares the home with. The maintenance bar is much lower than people fear; but missing it entirely is what turns a 15-year unit into an 8-year unit.
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