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What Happens During a General Aircon Servicing Visit

From WhatsApp booking to payment: the tasks done on each unit, how long 3 units take, what to clear and whether you need to be home.

Updated 5 min read By Brian, Cool Earth Aircon

Technician on a ladder servicing a wall aircon in an HDB living room

From booking to warranty, in 5 steps

Most people never see what happens behind the canvas bag under their aircon. If you’ve never booked general aircon servicing before, here is the general aircon servicing process from the first message to the moment the technician leaves.

Cool Earth Aircon has run this routine since Brian started it as a one-man workshop in 2007. You get no surprises, and no extra charges you didn’t agree to.

  1. Message us. WhatsApp or call with your unit count, the problem if there is one, and your Jurong address.
  2. Get your quote. We send a fixed price and you pick a time slot. Evenings until 9 PM and Sundays until 8 PM are available.
  3. Technician arrives. Units are checked and the work is confirmed with you before anything starts.
  4. Job done, tested. Every unit is serviced, the area cleaned up and cooling tested.
  5. Pay after. Payment after the job. Your 90-day workmanship warranty starts.

Technician measuring air temperature at an aircon outlet with a probe thermometer

What the technician does on each unit

Every wall-mounted unit gets the same 8-point aircon servicing checklist. Nothing is skipped on unit three because the technician is tired of the job.

TaskWhat it meansWhy it matters
Filter cleaningFilters removed, washed and refittedRestores airflow
Evaporator coil check and cleanFront of the coil cleaned and checked for build-upBetter heat transfer, less smell
Drain line flushWater pushed through the drain linePrevents leaks
Drain pan checkPan checked for slime and correct seatingCatches leak causes early
Refrigerant pressure checkPressure read at the outdoor unitSpots gas leaks
Thermostat testUnit responds correctly to set temperatureStops over or under cooling
Electrical checkConnections and parts checkedSafety and early fault warning
Airflow and temperature testOutlet temperature and fan strength measuredConfirms the unit cools properly

The drain steps matter more than most people think. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has reported mosquito larvae breeding in aircon drain trays during dengue cluster inspections in HDB flats, so a clear drain line and a properly seated pan help your household too.

Filters are the one job you can do between visits. Several Singapore servicing companies, including Uncle 7 Aircon, suggest washing them every 2 weeks in lukewarm water. Let them dry fully before they go back in.

What servicing does not include

General servicing does not dismantle the unit or wash the coil with solution. If the technician sees heavy dirt, mould or sludge, they will tell you and quote a chemical wash or overhaul. You decide whether to go ahead.

For context, HomeJourney’s 2026 Singapore guide puts chemical washes at roughly S$60 to S$120 per unit. Ask for the quote in writing before you agree.

How long it takes

Expect about 30 to 45 minutes for one unit. Each extra unit adds time, but not in a straight line, because setup and clean-up happen once.

As a rough guide:

  • 1 unit: about 30 to 45 minutes
  • 3 units: about an hour to an hour and a half
  • 5 units or more: plan for two hours or so

Units that are very dirty, hard to reach or have not been serviced in a long time take longer. A unit that skipped a year or two of servicing is the usual reason a visit runs over.

Before the technician arrives

Five minutes of preparation makes the visit faster. Here’s what we’d do:

  • Clear the space directly under each indoor unit, about a metre wide
  • Move fragile items off shelves or tables below the unit
  • Make sure the technician can reach the outdoor unit on the aircon ledge. HDB rules say the ledge is for the condensing unit only and should stay free of obstruction, so move anything stored there
  • Switch off the units around 15 minutes before the slot if you can
  • If you live in a condo, check whether contractors need to be registered with the management office

Will it be messy?

Usually not. The technician hangs a canvas bag under the unit to catch water and dirt, and lays sheets over beds or sofas where needed.

The area is wiped down before they leave. Washing filters needs a tap, usually the kitchen or bathroom, so the technician will pass through one of those.

Phone showing a WhatsApp chat with an aircon servicing quote and time slot

Do you need to be home?

Yes, an adult needs to be there to let the technician in and confirm the quote at the start. You don’t need to watch the whole job.

Most customers carry on with their day and come back for the test and payment at the end. Try to be back for that last step. Feel the airflow and check the temperature yourself before you pay.

What it costs

General servicing for wall-mounted units is S$50 for 1 unit, S$55 for 2, S$70 for 3 and S$85 for 4, down to S$16 per unit for 10 or more. There is no callout fee anywhere in Jurong.

UnitsPrice
1 unitS$50
2 unitsS$55
3 unitsS$70
4 unitsS$85
10 units or moreS$16 per unit

See the full servicing price list. The price we quote is the price you pay, unless you approve extra work on site.

Ready to book?

WhatsApp for a slot with your unit count and estate. Same-day slots are offered, subject to availability.

Booking a day ahead gives you a wider choice of times, since our team travels from Simei. That’s the easiest way to get through the general aircon servicing process at a time that suits your household.

To decide how often to book after that, see how often to service your aircon. NEA advises checking filters monthly and servicing regularly, and many Singapore providers suggest every 3 to 6 months for homes that use aircon daily.

Quick answers

How long does servicing take for 3 units?

Usually about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on how dirty the units are and how easy they are to reach.

Do I need to be at home?

An adult should let the technician in and confirm the quote at the start. You can step away during the work and come back for the test and payment.

When do I pay?

After the job, once every unit has been tested. There is no deposit.

Is the job messy?

Not usually. The technician uses a canvas bag under the unit and covers furniture where needed, then cleans up before leaving.

Learn more about aircon servicing in jurong

If you would rather have it checked, send us your unit count and estate on WhatsApp. You get a fixed quote back before anyone comes over.