How to service your aircond (and when to call a technician)

An aircond that runs most nights in Malaysia collects dust, mould and grime quickly. Regular servicing keeps it cooling well, lowers your electricity bill and stops water dripping onto your wall. Here’s what you can do yourself and what our M&E technicians handle during a professional service.

What you can do yourself

1. Switch off the power at the isolator or the DB box.
2. Open the front panel and slide out the filters.
3. Rinse the filters under running water. Use a soft brush and mild soap if they’re greasy.
4. Let them dry fully in the shade before putting them back.
5. Wipe the panel and louvres with a damp cloth.

Do this every 2 to 4 weeks for rooms you use daily. It’s the single easiest way to keep your aircond efficient.

What a professional general service includes

• Cleaning filters, cover and blower
• Spraying and rinsing the evaporator coil
• Flushing the drain pipe to prevent leaks
• Checking the outdoor unit and its fan
• Checking gas pressure and electrical connections

Chemical wash vs general service

A chemical wash takes the indoor unit apart and cleans the coil and blower with a coil cleaner. It removes build-up a general service can’t reach. Most homes need a general service every 3 to 6 months and a chemical wash roughly once a year, or sooner if the unit smells or blows weakly.

Signs you need a technician

• Water dripping from the indoor unit
• The room takes much longer to cool
• Musty smell when the aircond starts
• Ice on the pipes or the indoor coil
• Unusual rattling or buzzing from the outdoor unit
• Higher electricity bills with the same usage

Gas top-up

Refrigerant doesn’t get used up. If your unit needs gas, there’s usually a leak, which should be found and fixed before topping up. Newer units use R32 or R410A, so the technician needs the right gas for your model.

Planning a new installation?

If you’re renovating, plan aircond positions, power points and drain routes before the ceiling and walls are finished. It costs far less than adding them later. Our team can include aircond installation in your renovation quote.