FEATURES
indoor unit, but also needs to drain the
condensate water away to the outdoor unit
(when the unit is in heating mode). “This
crucial point is often overlooked and can be the
cause of major structural damage if not catered
for,” states Meyer.
Finding the space
When it comes to doing routine maintenance
on the systems (or breakdowns), usually HVAC
contractors have minimal space to work with.
“Space and accessibility play a key role in
maintenance when it comes to any HVAC
system,” says Meyer. “Maintenance on air
conditioners in ceiling voids is often not
considered by designers and ceiling
contractors,” Parry adds. “When plastered
ceilings are fitted, a manhole must be fitted to
gain access to the air conditioning area that
may require attention in years to come,”
he says.
Cramer adds that access for maintenance or
repair must be provided either from above or
below. “Challenges often occur with modern
ceiling designs which may result in cutting
ceilings open to repair or remove HVAC
equipment. This is a practical problem in
particularly domestic homes and apartments,”
he says.
Design considerations
“The initial design of the roof is so important,”
Parry emphasises. “We have had instances
where a flat roof design couldn’t bear the
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Maintenance on air conditioners in ceiling voids is often not considered by designers
and ceiling contractors.