Why are periodic services and inspections important?

The following aspects should be included in each service and inspection:

Safety: Without regular and scheduled monitoring, this equipment can become a potential risk. For example, a faulty boiler can cause carbon monoxide leaks, while a neglected air conditioner can accumulate harmful bacteria that can affect users’ health and interfere with its proper operation.

Durability: The better you care for your appliances, the longer they will last. Regular maintenance prolongs their lifespan, optimising your initial investment and preventing costly repairs, premature replacements of parts and complete systems alike, or serious breakdowns.

Energy efficiency: If your systems are in optimal condition, they will operate more efficiently. This results in less energy consumption, lower electricity bills, and more comfort in the home, office, or building.

Legal compliance: In Spain and other countries, regulatory bodies ensure compliance with standards and require periodic inspections for boilers, air conditioning systems, and solar energy, such as photovoltaic panels.

Environmental impact: Caring for the planet is another objective of the periodic review and inspection of air conditioning and solar energy systems. If equipment is serviced frequently, its emissions and carbon footprint can be regulated, as well as optimising energy resources, thus contributing to sustainability.

Differences between services and inspections

They are often used to mean the same thing, as synonyms, but in the jargon or glossary of the world of climate control systems, the terms 'service' and 'inspection' have different objectives.

The service is a preventive maintenance task aimed at detecting and correcting minor faults to prevent them from becoming problems that could cause significant damage to the equipment.

An inspection is a more thorough and formal evaluation. Sometimes, inspections are carried out due to legal requirements to comply with safety and efficiency regulations imposed by official bodies or authorised entities. In Spain, the Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE) regulates everything related to the installation and maintenance of climate control systems.

Frequency of services and inspections

Air Conditioning

Preventive reviews should be carried out at least once a year, preferably before summer, the season when they are used most, to check the condition, safety, and proper functioning of the air conditioning system, in accordance with legal and technical regulations.

Endesa offers a Full Air-Conditioning Maintenance, which provides annual services for your home's air conditioning, technical assistance in case of breakdowns, and other services designed to help you reduce the risk of breakdowns and optimise your consumption, allowing you to save on your bills.

While your system is serviced, for which we recommend you use one of our certified technicians, the proper functioning of electrical components such as capacitors and contactors is verified to rule out wear or significant damage, as they are essential for the operation of the motor and compressor.

It is also important to check the electrical connections are in good condition. A bad connection can lead to system failures and even cause fires. Similarly, the thermostat must be properly calibrated to maintain the desired temperature.

Air conditioning systems with more than 12 kW must be inspected every five years, as stated in the Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE).

Boilers and heating

To prevent gas leaks that could jeopardise user safety, and to ensure that the elements of the gas installation (valves, supports, pipes, nozzles, ventilation, etc.) and the heating equipment (boiler, hydraulic circuit, and radiators) are functioning properly, it is necessary to schedule an annual service (preferably before winter), in accordance with legal and technical regulations.

Boilers up to 70 kW (the most common in individual installations) must be serviced every two years, and in the Basque Country, it is required annually. Water heaters up to 11 litres are checked once every five years, and community boilers must be reviewed monthly.

As for inspections, according to the Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE), it is mandatory, to have this done every five years, except in the Basque Country, where it must be done every four years. In this case, the gas distribution company must manage the inspection with the user and inform them of when it will be carried out. It is best start the process three months before the inspection date.

Users can choose to have the installations carried out by their distribution company, another company, or a certified professional technician. With Endesa's Comprehensive Gas Maintenance service, we guarantee that your boiler/heater, as well as your home's heating circuit and gas installation, are always in perfect condition.

As well as annual services and repairs, we also offer an initial diagnosis of the installation (boiler/heater, hydraulic circuit, radiators, and heater), and we make the necessary adjustments to ensure the safety of the system, prevent possible breakdowns or equipment failures, and also minimise gas consumption so you can save every month.

Solar panels

The cleaner they are, the more efficient they are and the longer their lifespan. Periodic review of solar panels is essential to ensure their effectiveness and durability. Ideally, the panels should be checked every six months. Inspections of thermal solar systems must be carried out annually, as stipulated by the Technical Building Code (CTE).

A build-up of dust, sediments, and other organic debris is often the most frequent issue affecting the proper functioning of this self-consumption installation. This dirt can ultimately damage the panels if not removed in time.

Bird droppings, leaves, or dust on the surface of the panel (sand, sediment, airborne dust deposits, etc.) can interfere with energy efficiency and reduce the electricity supply. These issues often occur in panels with low inclination, preventing photons from the sun from striking the photovoltaic cell.

You can perform a surface cleaning of the solar panels by following a series of steps and basic safety guidelines:

• First, disconnect the circuit that connects the panel to the house or the rest of the network.
• Manually clear any large debris such as leaves, bird droppings, etc.
• Remove dust from the surface of the panels without using tools that could damage them. You can use a cloth or other material that won't scratch the cells. A leaf blower is a good option.
• After removing the dust and sediments, use a hose with low water pressure to rinse the panels. Always use low pressure to avoid damaging the sealed joints of the panel protectors. Also, avoid cleaning the panels with cold water when they are exposed to the sun during hot weather, as the sudden temperature change could damage them.
• Brush the panels with special cleaning products for photovoltaic panels, using a soft-bristle brush without applying too much pressure. Finally, rinse off any soap or cleaning product residue with more low-pressure water to ensure no traces are left.

When maintenance requires contact with cables or inverters, we recommend contacting a specialised technician.

The periodic service and inspection of air conditioning systems, heating, boilers, and solar panels are essential to ensure their proper functioning, user safety, environmental sustainability, and even savings on electricity bills. It is your responsibility to keep track of when these tasks are due, so we recommend keeping a record in an Excel file or in a planner that you can check from time to time.

Following the recommended frequency for review and inspection, and using qualified professionals and companies, not only helps protect the investment you have made in these systems but also contributes to living in a safer environment and enjoying all their benefits in the short and long term.