Absolute Aircon Service: What's Included and How Often You Need One
A yearly service is the cheapest way to keep an aircon cooling properly and avoid a breakdown in the first heatwave. Here's what a real service involves, and what you can do yourself in between.
Updated
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Most home aircons in Gauteng should be serviced once a year, ideally in September or October before summer. Units that run all day, in offices, server rooms or bedrooms used every night, should be serviced every six months. A proper service cleans the filters, indoor coil, fan and drain line, washes the outdoor unit, checks the gas pressures and electrical parts, and measures how well the unit is actually cooling. Absolute Repairs services aircons across Johannesburg and Pretoria.
What a proper aircon service includes
Indoor unit
Filters washed. Evaporator coil cleaned with coil cleaner. Blower fan (the "barrel") cleaned of dust and mould. Drain tray and drain line flushed so it doesn't leak.
Outdoor unit
Condenser coil washed to remove dust, leaves and grass. Fan checked. Unit checked for vibration, rust and secure mounting.
Gas and performance
Operating pressures checked. Temperature difference between the air going in and the air coming out measured, which shows whether it is really cooling as it should.
Electrical
Connections tightened, capacitor and contactor checked, current draw measured against the rating plate. Weak capacitors are caught before they fail.
A "service" that's only a filter wash and a quick spray is not a full service. Ask what's included before you book anyone.
How often should you service your aircon?
| How it's used | Service interval |
|---|---|
| Home, used in summer only | Once a year, before summer |
| Bedroom unit used every night | Every 6–12 months |
| Office, shop or practice | Every 6 months |
| Server room, kitchen or dusty site | Every 3–6 months |
| Rental or Airbnb unit | Every 6 months, plus a filter clean between guests if possible |
What you can do yourself
- Clean the filters every 2–4 weeks in summer. Switch off, lift the front panel, slide out the mesh filters, rinse them under the tap and let them dry fully before refitting.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear. Trim plants back, clear leaves and keep at least 30 cm of space around it.
- Don't block the indoor unit with curtains or furniture.
- Don't spray water into the indoor unit or the electronics. Coil and fan cleaning is a job for a technician.
Signs your aircon needs attention now
- It's running but not cooling well. See aircon not cooling.
- Water is dripping from the indoor unit. See aircon leaking water.
- A musty or sour smell when it starts.
- Ice on the pipes or the indoor coil.
- The outdoor unit hums but the fan doesn't turn.
- It's tripping the power or showing an error code.
Does an aircon need regassing every year?
No. An aircon is a sealed system and doesn't use up gas. If it's low on gas, there's a leak, and topping it up without fixing the leak just means paying again next year. We find and repair leaks before regassing.
Aircon servicing near you
We service split units, inverters, cassettes and multi-splits in homes and offices: Pretoria and Centurion, Johannesburg, Sandton, Randburg and Krugersdorp.
Frequently asked questions
How often should an aircon be serviced in South Africa?
Once a year for most homes, before summer. Every six months for units that run all day, such as in offices or bedrooms used nightly.
How long does an aircon service take?
About 45 minutes to an hour per split unit, depending on how dirty it is and how easy the outdoor unit is to reach.
Can I service my aircon myself?
You can and should clean the filters regularly. Coil cleaning, drain flushing, gas checks and electrical checks need a technician and the right tools.
Why does my aircon smell when I switch it on?
Usually mould and bacteria on the indoor coil and fan, which builds up in damp conditions. A full service with coil and barrel cleaning removes it.
Do you service several aircons in one visit?
Yes. Homes with several units and offices can book them all in one visit. Ask us for a quote.
Book your aircon service
Tell us how many units you have and your suburb. We can service several units in one visit. Monday to Saturday, 07:30–17:30.