Geckos are the Air Conditioning scourge of the Sunshine Coast

Asian geckos cause hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage to air conditioners on a regular basis.

They often lay eggs in the drip tray, chew wiring and wee on controller boards both in the inside Head unit and the outside Condenser unit.

Unfortunately, many installations provide a gecko direct access to the inside units because the plumbing into the wall from outside to inside is rarely sealed properly.

To protect the inside Head unit from attack, use steel wool (preferably stainless-steel), to seal access into the wall from outside, as they cannot chew through it.

To protect the outside unit, place a container of moth balls (usually sold in plastic containers with breather holes in them), behind the base of the unit and under eaves if possible. This not only deters geckos but also rodents and even possums. Some of our clients are now using 6 to 8 moth ball stations around the perimeter of their homes as a general pest barrier.

If anyone has other tips for deterring geckos, especially for inside the home as moth balls are not too pleasant in confined areas, then please comment on this post.

A typical Head unit controller board is about $300 to $400 to repair and a Condenser unit controller board can be $600 to $800 to repair, if parts are even available.

If Geckos do not particularly bother or scare you, then the aforementioned dollar amounts may.

What are your thoughts or comments?

 

Click Here for more information about HydroKleen or call 1300 608 318

What We Do

HydroKleen clean air conditioners in the Maroochydore, Caloundra, Noosa, Tewantin and Mooloolaba areas. We specialise in sanitising split systems, window units, ceiling cassette units and even ducted.

Why choose HydroKleen?

Get a Free Quote

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Hydrokleen are proud supporters of WishList – The Sunshine Coast Health Foundation supporting Sunshine Coast families for 20 years. It’s not clean if it’s not Hydrokleened, so call 1300 608 318 today!

HydroKleen are the ONLY Air Conditioning Cleaning company exclusively approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program and we provide a written 12 month guarantee against Mould regrowth.

Click Here for more information about Hydrokleen.

Air Conditioning, Friend or Foe?

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Click Here for more information about HydroKleen or call 1300 608 318

What We Do

HydroKleen clean air conditioners in the Maroochydore, Caloundra, Noosa, Tewantin and Mooloolaba areas. We specialise in sanitising split systems, window units, ceiling cassette units and even ducted.

Why choose HydroKleen?

Get a Free Quote

4 + 11 =

Hydrokleen are proud supporters of WishList – The Sunshine Coast Health Foundation supporting Sunshine Coast families for 20 years. It’s not clean if it’s not Hydrokleened, so call 1300 608 318 today!

HydroKleen are the ONLY Air Conditioning Cleaning company exclusively approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program and we provide a written 12 month guarantee against Mould regrowth.

Click Here for more information about Hydrokleen.

What have you forgotten in your New Year Resolution?

Most of us have a New Year Resolution e.g. to lose weight, get fit, detox or live a healthier life, but have you overlooked something?

For all of the above to work as effectively as it should, the environment you live in should be undergoing a transformation as well.

Let’s start with the air you breathe in your home or business. Your air conditioner has built in air filters unless it is out of date or hasn’t been professionally cleaned. You can clean the filters yourself simply by removing them and giving them a good vacuum and a gentle wash with warm soapy water. But the allergy and illness causing contaminants are found deeper into the unit, mould, bacteria, pet dander, animal faeces, dead animals and dust can all build up in the coils and on the inside of the unit.

Every time you turn your air conditioner on, these contaminants are blown into the air for you and your family to breathe in. If you still smell unusual odours, coming from your air conditioner, even after you have cleaned the filters, it may be time to replace the unit altogether.

Don’t forget to check your windows and window surrounds for mould as well, it can build up in many different places and is often found behind curtains and blinds. If you find any, a good clean with soapy water with a splash of white vinegar will remove most of the stains. If the stains are really bad you could use a little bleach in water but be aware that this may cause some damage to painted wood sills.

Is your fridge healthy? Be brutal and give it a thorough clean out, get rid of all old food, especially the unhealthy kind and give the interior a good clean with warm soapy water. Follow up with a wipe over with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 10 drops of vanilla essence mixed with water in a spray bottle, this not only freshens the inside of your fridge, it also helps to protect against mould growth. The same mix can be used in the bathroom and laundry over clean tiles.

From all the team at HydroKleen, we would like to wish you a very Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year.

If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, call today on 1300 608 318 or visit https://hydrokleen.com.au/aircon-clean-caloundra-maroochydore-noosa-sunshine-coast/.

What We Do

HydroKleen clean air conditioners in the Maroochydore, Caloundra, Noosa, Tewantin and Mooloolaba areas. We specialise in sanitising split systems, window units, ceiling cassette units and even ducted.

Why choose HydroKleen?

Get a Free Quote

5 + 5 =

Hydrokleen are proud supporters of WishList – The Sunshine Coast Health Foundation supporting Sunshine Coast families for 20 years. It’s not clean if it’s not Hydrokleened, so call 1300 608 318 today!

HydroKleen are the ONLY Air Conditioning Cleaning company exclusively approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program and we provide a written 12 month guarantee against Mould regrowth.

Click Here for more information about Hydrokleen.

Don’t Touch That Knob!

If there’s one thing that is the bane of contention in offices across the globe, it would be the right to adjust the thermostat.

The easiest way to upset someone within the office is to play with the temperature control. There are some office workers with fans on their desks because they are too hot, and others with the mandatory jacket slung across the back of their chair to protect them when it is freezing.

Temperature control in offices will never suit everyone. No matter the weather, office air control just never seems to be right.

While temperature control is a bane of contention, there are other, more important, issues that need to be addressed with office air conditioning. When was the HVAC last maintained and serviced? Have the filters been cleaned regularly? What bacteria, mould, or parasites are living inside the unit?

If you find that your staff are constantly suffering from colds, asthma or other breathing problems, then the office air conditioner could be the cause.

How Can I Improve the Indoor Air Quality?
Employers have an obligation to ensure a healthy working environment for employees. Scientists have proven that a healthier office environment with increased ventilation and improved indoor air quality, will increase the productivity and decision making of staff.

All regularly used air conditioners/heat pumps become infected with “microbial contamination” which includes fungi, mould, and bacteria. These units are the perfect environments for such contaminants and of course, become airborne every time you switch on your unit.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) state “contaminants may originate from a variety of sources both inside and outside of a building, and may include airborne chemicals, bacteria, fungi, pollen and dust.” “… factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting, noise and personal and work-related stress can affect occupants’ perceptions of indoor air quality.”

Benefits of Regularly Cleaning Your Unit
Regular cleaning of air conditioners is critical to improving the quality of indoor air, but it also will make the HVAC unit more efficient. A well maintained and serviced unit will use less power and last longer.

Energy Efficiency
Large efficiency gains can be achieved through the maintenance of heating and cooling systems. While cleaning filters is important, the critical factor is the cleanliness of the heat transfer surface (coil) in order to achieve efficiencies. Immediate energy savings of between 10%-30% are expected from cleaning your air conditioner

Asset Protection
Every major manufacturer states on their warranty card that you must regularly clean your air conditioner, or the warranty is void. Unfortunately, none of them adequately provide a cost-effective means/method to clean them. Facilities routinely view the life of an air conditioner to be five years. But, when properly maintained, units should see lifespans of up to 15 years.

Disposal of air conditioners is rising at the highest rate that has ever been seen with over 550 000 to be thrown into landfill this year. By extending the life of your equipment through adequate cleaning and maintenance provides a 10:1 return on investment when compared to the replacement cost of those units.

Who Do I Trust to Clean the Unit Correctly?
There are many air conditioner cleaning companies that spruik they’re experts in cleaning air conditioning units. But, before you hire just anybody, ask them what is included in their service.

Make sure that they:
• Will remove and clean air filters and plastic fascia/s
• Will clean and sanitise the evaporator (coil), scroll fan and surround
• Will clean the condenser (outside unit)
• Will clean and check drains
• Will blow dry clean all electrical components
• Will offer a 12-month guarantee on regrowth of mould and other microbial bacteria
• Are approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program

If an air conditioning unit is not cleaned adequately, the mould or bacteria will return in no time at all. A thorough and comprehensive program is required to rid the unit of airborne mould and bacteria.

To save time and money, before you start searching for a company that will meet all the above criteria go straight to www.hydrokleen.com.au

  • HydroKleen is the only company that has patented technology and can guarantee the removal and prevention of mould in HVAC systems.
  • HydroKleen is the only air conditioner cleaning company that is approved by the National Asthma Council Sensitive Choice Program.
  • HydroKleen is a global industry leader. This national franchise company provides, through a ‘man-in-a-van’ model, a unique and innovative award-winning air conditioning cleaning service.

Improve the productivity of your team and reduce absenteeism by making your building healthy.
Click Here for more information about HydroKleen or call 1300 608 318 today, and we will help you to Breathe Healthy Air.

What We Do

HydroKleen clean air conditioners in the Maroochydore, Caloundra, Noosa, Tewantin and Mooloolaba areas. We specialise in sanitising split systems, window units, ceiling cassette units and even ducted.

Why choose HydroKleen?

Get a Free Quote

10 + 5 =

Hydrokleen are proud supporters of WishList – The Sunshine Coast Health Foundation supporting Sunshine Coast families for 20 years. It’s not clean if it’s not Hydrokleened, so call 1300 608 318 today!

HydroKleen are the ONLY Air Conditioning Cleaning company exclusively approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program and we provide a written 12 month guarantee against Mould regrowth.

Click Here for more information about Hydrokleen.

More Heat on the Way!

Extreme heat has already caused Australian deaths. Authorities warn us not to leave children or pets in cars, as they could die within minutes.

“People think they’re only going to be a minute and they’re just going to rush in and grab something… but you’re never a minute,” Port Phillip Animal Hospital vet, Dr Emma Prideaux said.

“A pet’s temperature rises very quickly. They already run at a higher temperature than humans and so we do see deaths.”

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a weather warning at ‘severe’ which is gripping parts of NSW, QLD, the NT and South Australia.

BoM senior forecaster, Claire Yeo, said people needed to take heatwave warnings seriously.

“Heatwaves remain our biggest killer in terms of the environment”, she said.

“The 2009 Black Saturday fires killed 173 people but 370 died from heat-related illnesses leading up to that event.”

“Even fit and healthy people can easily become fatigued and dehydrated on a hot day.”

“This is quite extreme weather and we are asking people to take care.”

Ms Yeo, who works on the extreme weather desk, warned there would be little reprieve in sight from the sweat-inducing conditions which are set to continue well into next week.

Ensure your air conditioner is working at its peak by cleaning filters, remove debris from around the outside unit and make sure your air conditioner has been professionally cleaned in the last 6 months. This will ensure efficient cooling, save you money on energy bills and protect you & your loved ones from hidden contaminants that can build up inside your air conditioner.

Click Here for more information about HydroKleen or call 1300 608 318

What We Do

HydroKleen clean air conditioners in the Maroochydore, Caloundra, Noosa, Tewantin and Mooloolaba areas. We specialise in sanitising split systems, window units, ceiling cassette units and even ducted.

Why choose HydroKleen?

Get a Free Quote

11 + 9 =

Hydrokleen are proud supporters of WishList – The Sunshine Coast Health Foundation supporting Sunshine Coast families for 20 years. It’s not clean if it’s not Hydrokleened, so call 1300 608 318 today!

HydroKleen are the ONLY Air Conditioning Cleaning company exclusively approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program and we provide a written 12 month guarantee against Mould regrowth.

Click Here for more information about Hydrokleen.