How often should I service my aircon in Singapore?
There is no single rule, but many homes in Singapore book a general service every few months and a chemical wash about once a year. Units that run every night, or sit near a kitchen or road, need it more often. Your unit's manual is the best guide for your model.
The six common jobs
General servicing
A general service cleans the filters, front panel and drain line so the unit keeps cooling and stops dripping.
It is the job most people book on a schedule. Units in rooms that run every night, or near a kitchen or busy road, clog faster than a guest-room unit that barely gets used.
Chemical wash
A chemical wash takes the indoor unit's coil and blower out of the grime that a normal service can't reach, without fully stripping the unit.
People tend to book it when the air smells musty, the airflow feels weak even with clean filters, or black specks come out of the vents.
Chemical overhaul
An overhaul strips the indoor unit down so the coil, blower and tray can be soaked and scrubbed, and is the deepest clean on offer.
It is usually suggested for units that have gone years without a deep clean, ones with mould in the tray, or ones that keep leaking after a normal service.
Gas top-up
A gas top-up adds refrigerant when pressure is low. A good technician checks for a leak first, because gas doesn't get used up.
Signs of low gas include ice on the copper pipes, weak cooling on a hot afternoon, and the outdoor fan running without the room getting cold.
Installation
Installation covers new systems and replacement units, including piping, trunking and the outdoor condenser bracket.
Quotes depend on piping length, whether old trunking can be reused, access to the outdoor ledge and whether hacking or electrical work is needed.
Repair & troubleshooting
Repair work covers units that leak water, blow warm air, trip the breaker or make new noises.
Water leaks are very often a blocked drain line, which is a cleaning fix. Warm air can be a dirty coil, low gas, or a failed capacitor or compressor.
What affects the price
We don't publish price figures. Prices change, each company sets its own, and a number without the details behind it can mislead. Here is what actually changes a quote:
- The job. A general service is a cleaning visit. A chemical wash or overhaul takes much longer and uses more materials.
- Number of units. Most companies price per unit and offer packages for several units in one visit.
- Type of unit. Wall-mounted fan coils are the most common. Ceiling cassettes and ducted units take more work.
- Condition. A unit that has gone years without cleaning, or has mould in the tray, may need an overhaul rather than a wash.
- Access. Outdoor condensers on a high ledge or behind grilles can add time or need extra equipment.
- Contracts. Some companies offer a yearly contract with a set number of visits.
Signs your aircon needs attention
- Water dripping from the indoor unit.
- A musty smell when it starts.
- It runs but the room doesn't get cold.
- Ice on the copper pipes.
- New rattling, buzzing or clicking.
- Your electricity bill rises with no change in use.
Getting a fair quote
Ask two or three companies to quote for the same job on the same units, in writing. Check what is included, especially the outdoor unit and drain flushing. Be wary of a gas top-up offered without a leak check, and of being told mid-visit that a cheap service has turned into a costly repair. You can ask to see the problem before agreeing.
Find a company by area, by service or on the near-me map.
Frequently asked questions
Do you list aircon servicing prices?
No. We describe what affects the price instead, because prices vary by company and change often.
Is a chemical wash the same as an overhaul?
No. In a chemical wash the unit usually stays on the wall. In an overhaul it is dismantled so each part can be cleaned.
Why does my aircon keep needing gas?
Refrigerant runs in a sealed loop, so needing gas often points to a leak. Ask the technician to check for one.