【Tips on Cleaning Air Conditioners】What do you need to know before hiring someone to clean your air conditioner?

1. Factors Affecting the Air Conditioning Cleaning Fees

For general households, window-type or split-type air conditioners are commonly used. In terms of basic fees, the cost for cleaning a window-type air conditioner is usually less than a split-type air conditioner. Other factors impacting the fees include the cooling capacity of the air conditioner, whether the location is remote, items included in the cleaning services (e.g. inspection and disinfection), parts that require repair, and whether the service date falls on the weekend or a public holiday. It is worth mentioning that if the indoor floor-to-ceiling height is too high, consumers may also need to bear the cost of using additional safety equipment.

2. Service Detail

Furthermore, consumers should be aware of the various cleaning methods employed by different cleaning companies for window-type air conditioners, and the space required for the cleaning process. If there is not enough space, the machine may need to be dismantled and taken to the cleaning centre for cleaning (which may incur additional charges).

Moreover, for split-type air conditioners, most cleaning companies only clean the interior unit of the machine as the external unit is usually located on the exterior wall of the building. If it needs to be cleaned, application to the building management office is required and scaffolding or blocking the road may be needed, which consumers would need to pay for that.

Generally speaking, air conditioning cleaning companies will first inspect the air conditioner to ensure normal operation before cleaning. The consumer will be notified of any abnormalities found, and they will have to decide whether to proceed with the cleaning process. If the air conditioner still does not cool sufficiently or even has leakage after cleaning, some companies would offer free maintenance within a designated period. Consumers can also inquire about the related terms and conditions beforehand, such as compensation of any damages during the cleaning process.

3. Advance Preparations by Consumers

If any abnormalities are detected in the air conditioner beforehand, it is suggested to arrange for on-site inspection by professionals before deciding whether to send it to a repair centre. Consumers should not attempt to disassemble the machine themselves. In addition, any items near the air conditioner should be removed before cleaning it.

4. Regular Maintenance Tips

To have a more durable and long-lasting air conditioner, consumers should pay attention to the following tips for daily maintenance and cleaning:

For more information, please refer to the article “Clean Air Conditioners Regularly to Save Energy and Protect the Environment” (Chinese version only) in Issue 523 of CHOICE Magazine.

Further Reading: Choosing an Air Conditioner

What should you pay attention to when buying an inverter air conditioner for your home? Check out the article “Saving Energy While Enjoying the Cool Breeze! 4 Tips on How to Select Inverter Type Air Conditioners”.

Further Reading: Saving Electricity with Air Conditioning

Running the air conditioner for extended periods will naturally increase your electricity bill. However, did you know that there are several details related to air conditioners that can also affect the electricity tariff? Find out more in the article “4 Key Tips to Enjoy the Cool Breeze Without Breaking the Bank?” .

This article is translated into English. If there is any discrepancy, inconsistency or ambiguity between the Chinese version and its English translation, the Chinese version shall prevail. The Consumer Council will not accept any liability, obligation or responsibility whatsoever for any loss, destruction or damage (including without limitation consequential loss, destruction or damage) howsoever arising from or in respect of any use or misuse of or reliance on the Chinese version or its English translation delivered herein.