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Aircon service and maintenance by a Van Biljoens technician in PretoriaAir Conditioning

Aircon Service & Maintenance: How Often & What’s Included

Why your aircon needs regular servicing An air conditioner quietly collects dust, mould and grime inside — on the filters, coils, fan and drainage line. Left unserviced, it cools less effectively, uses more electricity, recirculates allergens and is far more likely to break down. A regular aircon service keeps it running efficiently, extends its lifespan and protects your warranty. How often should you service your aircon? Once a year for a typical home unit — ideally in spring, before the …
Inverter vs non-inverter air conditioner comparison — Van Biljoens PretoriaAir Conditioning

Inverter vs Non-Inverter Air Conditioners: Which Is Better?

Inverter vs non-inverter air conditioner: what’s the difference? The key difference is how the compressor runs. A non-inverter (fixed-speed) aircon’s compressor switches fully on and off to hold the temperature. An inverter aircon varies its compressor speed, ramping down once the room reaches the set temperature instead of switching off. That single difference affects your electricity bill, comfort, noise and price — here’s how to choose. Quick comparison Feature Inverter Non-inverter Energy use Up to 30–40% less Higher Running cost …
What size aircon do I need — BTU size guide by room size, Van Biljoens PretoriaAir Conditioning

What Size Aircon Do I Need? Aircon BTU Size Guide

What size aircon do I need? Air conditioner size is measured in BTU (British Thermal Units) — the higher the BTU, the larger the area it can cool. As a quick rule of thumb, you need roughly 450–500 BTU per square metre. So a 20 m² bedroom needs about 9,000–12,000 BTU, while a 40 m² open-plan living area needs around 18,000–24,000 BTU. Below is a simple sizing chart, the factors that change it, and a link to our calculator for …
Illustration of air conditioning installation costs for Pretoria homes and officesAir Conditioning

Aircon Installation Cost in South Africa: 2026 Price Guide

How much does aircon installation cost in South Africa? For most homes, a midwall split inverter aircon supplied and installed in South Africa costs between roughly R10,500 and R33,500 — the exact figure depends mostly on the size (BTU) of the unit and the brand you choose. Below we break down what drives the price, with real Van Biljoens installed prices, so you know what to expect before requesting a quote. Typical aircon prices by size (supplied and installed) Air …
Hands removing a dusty air conditioner filter for cleaning and maintenanceAir Conditioning

How to Clean Your Aircon Filter: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Learning how to clean aircon filters is the simplest, cheapest way to keep your unit cooling efficiently and your power bill down. A dirty aircon filter is the single most common reason a unit stops cooling properly — and the easiest thing to fix yourself. Cleaning it takes about 15 minutes, needs no special tools, and should be done every few weeks to keep your air conditioner running efficiently. This guide walks you through it for split and midwall units, …
Technician installing a split unit air conditioner back-to-back in a residential home in PretoriaInstallation Guides

Why Back-to-Back Aircon Installations Are Popular in Pretoria

Back-to-back aircon installations are one of the most popular options among homeowners and small businesses in Pretoria — and for good reason. At Van Biljoens Appliance Services, we perform dozens of these installations every month due to their affordability and convenience. What Is Back-to-Back Aircon Installations A back-to-back installation means that the indoor unit and outdoor unit are mounted on opposite sides of the same wall. This minimizes the amount of piping and cabling required, which in turn reduces both …
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