Aircon companies in Singapore usually offer three levels of cleaning. A general service is the routine visit. A chemical wash goes deeper. A chemical overhaul goes deepest. The names sound alike and quotes can be hard to compare, so here is what each one involves.
General service, briefly
The technician opens the front panel, washes the filters, cleans the parts that can be reached and flushes the drain line. It keeps a unit in decent shape, but it doesn't reach deep into the coil fins or the blower wheel, where most of the hidden dirt builds up.
What happens in a chemical wash
For a chemical wash, the indoor unit is opened further. Plastic covers and some parts come off, and a bag or tray is fitted to catch runoff. A cleaning solution goes onto the coil and often the blower, and is then rinsed through. The water that comes out is often surprisingly dark.
The unit generally stays mounted on the wall. That keeps the job shorter than an overhaul, but some areas inside still can't be reached.
What happens in a chemical overhaul
In an overhaul, the indoor unit is dismantled. Depending on the company and model, it may be taken off the wall entirely. The coil, blower wheel, drain tray and casing are separated and soaked or scrubbed one by one, then reassembled and tested.
It is the most thorough clean on offer and takes the longest. Because the unit is taken apart, it is also the job where you most want a clear warranty on the work.
Which one does your unit need?
A chemical wash is often enough when:
- The unit has had general services but no deep clean for a year or so.
- There is a mild musty smell.
- Airflow feels a little weaker than it used to.
An overhaul is more often suggested when:
- The unit has gone several years without a deep clean.
- There is visible mould or slime in the drain tray or on the blower.
- Water keeps leaking even after the drain has been cleared.
- Black specks come out of the vents.
If you aren't sure, ask the technician to show you the coil and blower with a torch before you agree to anything. A good one will explain what they see.
What to check in the quote
- Is the price per indoor unit, and is the outdoor unit included?
- For an overhaul, will the unit come off the wall?
- Is there a warranty on the work, and what does it cover?
- What happens if a part such as the blower is found to be cracked?
We don't publish prices because each company sets its own and they change often. Ask two or three companies to quote for the same job on the same units.
Browse companies that list a chemical wash or a chemical overhaul on their own websites.