Maintaining your beauty salon’s cooling system is essential for keeping clients comfortable, supporting staff wellbeing and protecting your equipment.
If systems are neglected, running costs rise, and treatment rooms quickly become uncomfortable. These simple, safe habits will help you spot problems early and know when to call a qualified engineer.
Salon AC Maintenance at a Glance
For busy hair and beauty environments, a few regular checks make a big difference:
- Check and change filters regularly.
- Keep indoor and outdoor coils free from dust and debris.
- Make sure condensate drains and drip trays are clear.
- Use sensible thermostat settings for comfort and efficiency.
- Book routine servicing with a qualified, F-Gas aware engineer.
Maintain Your Filters and Replace Them When Needed
Filters trap dust, hair, product particles and other contaminants that move through the indoor unit. When they become clogged, airflow drops, the system works harder, and comfort in your treatment rooms suffers.
Check your filters in line with the manufacturer’s guidance and your usage levels. Busy businesses often need more frequent checks. Clean or replace filters when they look dirty or as advised in your maintenance schedule. For a structured checklist, you can also refer to specialist maintenance tips written for air conditioning systems and other practical air conditioning guides.
Inspect the Coils for Dirt or Damage and Clean Them as Necessary
The indoor and outdoor coils move heat in and out of the building. When they are coated in dust, hair or debris, heat transfer becomes less efficient, and running costs can rise.
Visually check the coils for dirt or damage. Light build-up can often be removed carefully with a soft brush or a suitable coil-cleaning product, following the manufacturer’s safety instructions. If the coils are heavily soiled, damaged or difficult to access, ask a qualified engineer to clean and inspect them as part of a planned visit.
Make Sure the Drainage System Is Clear and Functioning Properly
Most systems produce condensate as they cool the air. This moisture is collected and removed via a drain line and drip tray.
If drainage becomes blocked, water can back up into the indoor unit, drip into the workspace and potentially damage finishes, stock or electrical equipment. Over time, standing water can also encourage mould growth.
Watch for damp ceiling tiles, water stains or wet areas beneath indoor units. Ask your maintenance provider to confirm that the condensate drain and pan are clear and that any pumps are working correctly. If you suspect a blockage, avoid major DIY repairs and arrange a professional inspection.
Setting the Thermostat to the Correct Temperature
Small changes to how you use the controls can make a big difference to comfort and running costs.
If the thermostat is set much lower than needed, the compressor may run for longer periods, increasing wear on components and your energy bills. If the set point is too high, treatment rooms may feel warm and stuffy, especially when hairdryers and other heat-producing equipment are in use.
Aim for a steady, comfortable temperature instead of frequent large adjustments, and use built-in schedules or timers where possible to match your opening hours and busiest times.
Schedule Regular Maintenance Checks With a Qualified Technician
Alongside simple daily checks, planned professional servicing is vital for keeping commercial systems safe, efficient and compliant.
In the UK, many systems benefit from at least an annual service, and high-usage premises with long opening hours may need more frequent visits. A proper maintenance visit typically includes filter checks, coil cleaning, electrical safety checks, drainage checks and confirmation that controls are working correctly. It may also include refrigerant leak checks and documentation where F-Gas regulations apply.
Always use a qualified engineer or professional company with experience in commercial hair and beauty environments. A specialist maintenance provider will be able to spot issues early, advise on safe access and highlight any compliance actions required.
Keeping Your Salon Well Ventilated
Good ventilation is just as important as cooling for a healthy working environment.
Hair and beauty products, cleaning chemicals and equipment can all affect indoor air quality. Without enough fresh air, spaces may feel stuffy, and humidity can increase, especially when several treatments are taking place at once.
Consider how mechanical ventilation, window opening routines and your cooling system work together. Many businesses use a combination of background mechanical ventilation and targeted cooling to maintain both temperature and air quality in line with workplace guidance.
Keeping the Air Temperature and Humidity Comfortable
A well-set-up system does more than cool the air; it also helps manage humidity, which is particularly important where water, steam and warm equipment are used regularly.
Comfortable conditions reduce the risk of clients feeling too hot during longer appointments and help staff stay focused throughout the day. Keeping humidity under control can also limit condensation, which in turn reduces the risk of mould and damage to finishes and furnishings.
Keep the Doors and Windows Closed When the Air Conditioner Is On
During hot weather, keeping external doors and windows closed while the system is running will help the space cool down more quickly and operate more efficiently.
Most modern split and multi-split systems recirculate indoor air rather than drawing in a large volume of outside air. Leaving doors or windows open allows warm air to enter and cooled air to escape, so the equipment has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. When you need fresh air, short periods of natural ventilation or mechanical systems designed for this purpose can work alongside your cooling.
Where possible, keep internal doors closed to focus cooling in the rooms that need it most, such as treatment spaces and reception areas.
Bristol and South West Salon Considerations
Businesses in Bristol and across the South West often see a mix of warm, humid summer days and cooler, damp periods at other times of year. That combination makes reliable temperature and humidity control especially important.
If your premises are in a historic building, a busy city-centre unit or a rural high-street location, it is worth checking that your current system is correctly sized and positioned for your layout. Local specialists familiar with Bristol and South West properties can recommend systems that balance comfort, energy use and planning considerations. Controlled Climate regularly helps hair and beauty businesses across the region plan, install and maintain systems that suit their spaces.
Conclusion
Maintaining your beauty salon’s cooling system is essential for keeping your customers and employees comfortable and safe, and for protecting stock, finishes and equipment.
By checking filters, monitoring coils, keeping drainage clear, using sensible thermostat settings and booking regular professional servicing, you can keep your system running smoothly. When something does not look or sound right, or if water smells, or temperature problems persist, it is safest to ask a qualified engineer for advice.
If you have any questions or need assistance with maintaining your system, please do not hesitate to contact Controlled Climate, and the team will be happy to help you. If you are considering an upgrade or new installation, you can also request a free survey to discuss the best options for your space.
Salon Air Conditioning FAQs
How often should a beauty salon air conditioning system be serviced?
Many commercial systems benefit from at least one professional service visit per year, with high-usage hair and beauty environments often requiring more frequent checks to stay efficient and compliant.
What are the warning signs that my system needs attention?
Common signs include unusual noises, uneven temperatures between rooms, unpleasant smells, frequent leaks from the indoor unit or error codes on the controller. These are all reasons to arrange a professional inspection.
Can better maintenance help reduce my energy costs?
Yes. Clean filters and coils, clear drainage, sensible thermostat settings and regular servicing all help systems run more efficiently, which can support lower energy use and more stable comfort levels for your clients and staff.