Home aircon Service: All You Need To Know
Tue 12 Nov, 2021
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Home air conditioning is now much more than a luxury - it is a necessity.
ACs are an essential piece for keeping your home cool and comfortable, especially when you live in hot and humid climatic areas like Malaysia. That said, purchasing it can be heavy on your pockets, and if you already own one, you’d want it to function well for its lifecycle.
Optimum functioning of air conditioners calls for regular servicing and maintenance by professionals. However, it is not for the layman to decide the types of servicing that an AC unit may need.
Read on for some helpful tips and information about the types of services you can consider for your air conditioner at home.
How do I service my home AC?
As mentioned earlier, AC servicing is mostly not a DIY task and is best left to professionals. However, some of these tips and maintenance measures can be adopted at home to optimise your AC health:
- Air filters within the AC units are meant to filter out dust and suspended particulate matter from the surrounding air. This makes them clogged with dust and even grease. Your AC serviceman will consider cleaning the filters when possible but may also alternatively suggest replacing them every one to two years.
- Additionally, the indoor and outdoor coils of the AC may also accumulate dust and need regular inspection and cleaning.
- The condensation pump requires a check-up to clean off dirt and debris. A quick sign that it's working well is to check whether the thermostat is functioning properly.
- Ensure the general air conditioning system is kept clean and safe from dirt for longer durability.
Types of home aircon service
aircon services are categorized based on what needs to be done. Following are some servicing packages that you may come across when having a discussion with your AC servicing agency:
1. General cleaning
General cleaning refers to overall aircon system washing using the basic washing tools. It needs less technical skills compared to chemical cleaning services.
Only parts such as the fan coil cover, air filter, air blower, and drainage tray are removed for cleaning offsite. A brush, cleaning cloth and vacuum is used to clean onsite parts that are not detached. Water is used for offsite cleaning.
2. Deep cleaning or overhaul cleaning
Overhaul cleaning refers to thorough washing of the air cond system. It is actually necessary every one to three years. During a deep cleaning, all the fan parts are disconnected and cleaned thoroughly.
Deep cleaning requires technical knowledge and skill, and thus, it is usually carried out by trained technicians.
3. Aircon chemical service
These services make use of chemical solutions to wash the AC unit. It is recommended to go for a chemical wash at least once or twice a year, depending on where you live and your usage.
With chemical cleaning, the entire fan and coil components are removed and brushed/washed using a chemical solution.
4. Aircon maintenance
While servicing includes cleaning and repairing, maintenance may simply mean checking all the units of the AC to ensure that they are functioning properly. It is recommended to go for routine maintenance of your AC once or twice a year.
Importantly, ensure the maintenance and minor repair works are performed promptly to prevent further damage, which can necessitate costly repairs.
5. Aircon repair
A faulty AC unit will often show various signs like leakages, insufficient cooling, etc. These are clear indicators that some parts of your aircon unit need repair. This is the right time to call a technician to make a detailed assessment of the faulty units and work on the repairs accordingly.
6. Installation
In Malaysia, there are no rules and regulations for aircon installation. You can do it at home by reading through the installation procedure on the manual.
However, moving your AC unit from one room to the other might need a complete re-installation. If so, it will require a certain degree of technical skills and experience to install an air conditioner properly.
What’s included in home aircon service?
Hiring a licensed AC technician will go a long way to keeping your AC in good condition, thus increasing its lifespan. It also saves you from the constant worry that your AC might stop working anytime.
Home aircon services include inspection, regular system maintenance and repair works. When the technicians visit your home, they will inspect the functionality of various air cond components and perform necessary repairs.
Crucial aircon components that require regular inspection and repairs include:
- Calibration of the thermostat to ensure it is installed correctly and away from heat or direct sunlight.
- Proper installation of electrical connections to prevent accidents and increase the durability of the system.
- Lubrication of moving parts to minimize friction and prevent damage.
- Maintenance of the condensate drain line to ensure that it’s not clogged. Cleaning the condensate line also prevents it from turning into a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Checking of system controls to ensure smooth cycling. The air conditioning system controls include; starting, operating, and shutting.
- Changing or cleaning the air filter to ensure you have a constant flow of clean air.
How much does it cost to service house AC?
The average price of general AC cleaning in Malaysia is about RM120 per unit and overhaul chemical cleaning costs about RM 180 per unit.
Prices are, however, also dependent on the type of unit you have (wall-mounted or cassette/ceiling), and its horsepower.
How often should air conditioners be serviced?
AC servicing is dependent on factors like usage, climatic conditions, type of unit, etc. However, on average, you need to service your aircon:
- Every four to six months if you use it every day.
- Every six to eight months if you use it once a week.
- Every twelve months if you use it once a month or less.
What happens if you don’t service your air conditioner?
If you don’t service your air conditioner regularly, you could experience the below-mentioned consequences:
- Higher utility bills due to higher energy consumption.
- Low-quality indoor air.
- Loud noises from your AC.
- Breakdown of moving parts.
- Reduced cooling ability.
- Regular and expensive repairs.
Can I use my AC without service?
Yes, you can, but you run the risk of expensive repairs if your AC unit breaks down. Additionally, dirty AC units are a breeding ground for bacteria due to the build-up of dirt and greasy substances.
Can a dirty filter stop AC from working?
A dirty filter restricts airflow through the air conditioning system, which causes strain on the air handler fan motor. If the dirty filter is not cleaned, it will cause the fan to overheat, which leads to a breakdown.
What are the signs of a dirty air filter?
Dirty air filters lead to unclean air supply and reduce the system's efficiency of cooling the house. You can visually notice a clogged air filter. Also, if the system is not cooling the house, it could be an indicator that the filters are clogged.
If you notice any of the signs, it might be time you change or clean the air filter.
Home aircon service KL
There are various reputed aircon servicing technicians available in Malaysia. However, if you are looking for end-to-end servicing packages, a professional organisation like ServisHero may be best suited for your needs.
Apart from offering services around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, ServisHero packages can be availed of in Singapore.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the types of air cond services before selecting a package. It is also essential to be vigilant of the signs and indicators that point out the need for AC maintenance.
Finally, trust a reliable service provider for yearly management of your aircon units to ensure optimal functionality.
The article is a part of our comprehensive series on “What is aircon service and why is it necessary?”
