Dubai, UAE, 26 July 2021: Kelvin Varghese, Senior Director (TFM) at Dubai-based maintenance company, Hitches & Glitches, has alerted homeowners in ‘New Dubai’ that many will be faced with replacing their air conditioning units over the coming months and years.

Kelvin Varghese

H&G, part of the Farnek Group, has witnessed an increasing number of calls from homeowners and tenants, particularly those in the freehold communities in ‘New Dubai’, such as The Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches, The Greens, and Emirates Living – comprising The Springs, The Meadows, The Lakes and Emirates Hills – Varghese said.

The owners and tenants of these freehold properties, which were mostly built between 2003 and 2007, are now beginning to experience issues with the performance of their air conditioning units, he said. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that many have come to the end of their lifespan and simply need replacing, he added.

Modern AC units usually last somewhere between 15 and 20 years, but older models can begin failing after 10 years; however, well-maintained units will inevitably last longer than those that have not been serviced regularly,” he said. “Homeowners in these freehold communities will eventually have to decide whether to continue paying for repairs and accept deteriorating performance, or replace them.

“An AC system should be energy-efficient – compare your DEWA bills year-on-year to see if there has been any increase in energy consumption. A poorly maintained A/C unit can lose 5% of its overall efficiency, annually, whereas an efficient A/C system can cut monthly energy costs by up to 25%, especially during the summer months. There are also smart gadgets such as NEST that can also help in this respect.

“Also, remember your AC system should not only be able to reduce the indoor temperature but also be able to reduce humidity levels and improve air quality, removing airborne dust and particles. Essentially, if your AC system is not working hard enough to keep your home comfortable during the hottest part of the day, you may need to carry out lifecycle analysis to ascertain whether you need to service, repair, modify or completely replace your AC system.”