An aircon unit should be serviced at least once a year. The servicing frequency depends on the type of air conditioner, whether it’s for commercial or residential use, and whether it experiences heavy or light usage.
Your air aircon may lose its efficiency by 5% each year if not maintained properly. Aircon servicing is essential to keep your aircon unit going for years and good air quality at your place. Let’s know how often should you service your aircon unit in detail.
Aircon Servicing Frequency in Singapore Based on Usage
1. Light Use (1–2 times per week, short duration)
Recommended Frequency: At least once a year, recommended twice a year
Who it applies to: Occasional users — e.g., aircon used only on weekends or during extremely hot days.
Why it’s needed: Even with light usage, dust and mold can accumulate in Singapore’s humid weather. Servicing helps avoid minor clogs or leaks and keeps the system efficient.
What’s included in the servicing:
- Cleaning air filters and covers
- Flushing the drainage system
- Basic check-up of components
- Testing cooling performance
- Light brushing of the evaporator coil
2. Moderate Use (daily night-time use or a few hours each day)
Recommended Frequency: Every 3–4 months
Who it applies to: Most households in Singapore using aircon regularly but not all day.
Why it’s needed: Regular use can cause dust to build up in filters and evaporator coils, which reduces cooling efficiency and may raise electricity bills.
What’s included in the servicing:
- Full cleaning of air filters and blower
- Flushing drainage pipes
- Cleaning indoor coil
- Checking aircon gas pressure
- Inspecting wiring and connections
- Testing thermostat and airflow
3. Heavy Use (daily for long hours or 24/7)
Recommended Frequency: Every 1–2 months
Who it applies to: Homes where the aircon is on most of the day, including study rooms, bedrooms, or living spaces.
Why it’s needed: High usage leads to faster accumulation of dirt and more strain on the system, which may cause aircon water leakage, noise, or cooling issues if not cleaned regularly.
What’s included in the servicing:
- Deep cleaning of fan blower, filter, and coil
- Chemical washing (if needed)
- Checking compressor performance
- Flushing out drainage thoroughly
- Inspecting gas level and top-up if necessary
- Tightening electrical components
4. Commercial or Industrial Use (shops, offices, kitchens, server rooms)
Recommended Frequency: Monthly
Who it applies to: Businesses relying on uninterrupted cooling for comfort, hygiene, or equipment safety.
Why it’s needed: Constant operation in dusty or greasy environments (like F&B outlets) demands regular and professional maintenance to prevent breakdowns.
What’s included in the servicing:
- Comprehensive internal cleaning
- Chemical wash or overhaul (as needed)
- Cleaning and testing condenser and evaporator coils
- Detailed check of fan motor, capacitor, and wiring
- Refrigerant level inspection and top-up
- Inspection of ductwork (if applicable)
What does aircon servicing mean?
Air conditioner servicing involves regular maintenance and cleaning of an air conditioner unit. This process helps the aircon unit function efficiently. These tasks include cleaning the filters, checking refrigerant levels, inspecting evaporator coils, and more.
Why Should I Service My Aircon?
Why should you invest in maintaining your aircon before it stops working? Below are the reasons:
- Boost efficiency: Air conditioner servicing will ensure your air conditioner performs at its best and enhances energy efficiency.
- Extend lifespan: It will save the vital parts of the AC unit from wear and tear, increasing its service life.
- Improve air quality: Servicing includes cleaning the unit’s filters and coils, which will improve air quality in the home.
- Prevent costly repairs: It is better to have preventive servicing to avoid costly repairs.
- Ensure warranty validity: Some manufacturers will not provide warranty services if you do not keep your air conditioner serviced.
Significant Signs Your Aircon Needs Servicing
How do you know your aircon needs immediate servicing? Below are a few signs that indicate you need urgent attention to the aircon unit:
- Weak airflow: If your air conditioner unit is not providing the usual airflow or the airflow is not strong, it needs servicing. The filter or ducts may have clogged.
- Strange noises: Do you notice strange noises from your air conditioner? Banging or squealing sounds indicate internal problems that may need urgent attention.
- Unpleasant odors: If you smell the foul odor from the air conditioner, it can cause mould or burnt-out wiring, which needs quick attention for your health and safety.
- Higher energy bills: If you notice a sudden increase in your household’s energy consumption, it can be due to an inefficient air conditioner that needs to be serviced.
- Leaking water: If the AC unit leaks water, you may need to service it to present any severe damage.
What to check during aircon servicing?
Aircon technicians follow a checklist to inspect different parts of an aircon during regular maintenance. Below are a few significant activities during aircon servicing.
- Aircon filters should be cleaned or replaced to ensure quality airflow. Technicians should check it during their inspection.
- The evaporator and condenser should be cleaned to avoid dirt buildup. It will enhance cooling efficiency.
- The coolant level should be checked. If the coolant level is unsatisfactory, the unit should be checked for leakage.
- The thermostat should be calibrated to ensure accurate temperature control.
- Wiring and electrical connections should be inspected to present any potential hazards.
- The duct line should be inspected to ensure no leakage or blockage. It will ensure proper airflow.
Need Aircon General Servicing?
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How often should I service my Daikin air conditioner?
Once and twice a year based on using pattern and aircon type.
How often do you service a central air conditioner?
Central air conditioning should be serviced once a year, ideally during spring or before summer. However, heavy users should consider servicing twice a year.
What’s the servicing pattern of an evaporative air conditioner?
Serviced twice a year is recommended for evaporative aircon. You can do it before and after the season starts.
What is the recommended servicing frequency of my Mitsubishi air conditioner?
Once or twice a year, it is based on the pattern and aircon type used.
How often should I service my home air conditioner?
Ideally, home air conditioners should be serviced once a year. However, heavy users should consider servicing them twice a year.
