Photo/Illutration A worker assembles air conditioners at a plant of Daikin Industries Ltd. in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, in July 2023. (Satoshi Seii)

With another blistering summer on the way, industry groups and government officials are calling on people to check their air conditioners now to make sure they work properly before the heat wave hits.

The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association designated April 10 as “Air Conditioner Test Run Day” in 2022.

The association recommends checking the AC power plug for signs of burning or loose connections, and to ensure the unit blows cold air effectively when run at the lowest temperature setting for at least 10 minutes.

The industry-wide campaign is emphasizing the importance of checking air conditioners before summer.

With rising temperatures and potential strain on repair services, early detection of malfunctions can prevent emergencies during heat waves.

Repair orders for air conditioners peak between June and August.

Last summer, Panasonic Corp. data revealed that roughly 30 percent of new air conditioner buyers and 20 percent of those seeking repairs faced wait times exceeding two weeks due to limited stock and overwhelming requests for repair services.

Despite the potential delays, many consumers remain unaware of the benefits of a pre-summer test run.

A recent Daikin Industries Ltd. survey found that only 40 percent of respondents knew about the advantages of early air conditioner checks and a mere 20 percent have actually performed one.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts a hot summer this year, with the average temperatures nationwide expected to exceed those in typical years.

If certain meteorological conditions are met, it could be as hot as last summer, which was the hottest on record.

(This article was written by Nanami Watanabe and Satoshi Seii.)

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