If your air conditioner starts losing its cooling power, smells musty, or leaks water, the immediate question is: Do I book a simple aircon washing service or invest in a full chemical overhaul? The answer isn’t always obvious, and understanding the difference could save you both money and frustration.
Instead of thinking about cost alone, it helps to look at the state of your unit, its usage history, and what you expect from it in the next few years. That’s where the choice between routine washing and a deeper overhaul becomes clear.
What Aircon Washing Actually Covers
An aircon washing service is ideal for ongoing upkeep. It deals with surface-level dirt, dust on the filter, and light grime on the coils. It’s quick, affordable, and perfect for preventing performance decline in a unit that’s otherwise healthy.
A standard wash includes:
- Removing and cleaning filters
- Brushing or lightly spraying the evaporator coil
- Clearing the drainage system of minor clogs
- Checking for visible mould patches
If your aircon is regularly maintained and still cools efficiently, this is likely all you need. Washing works best as a preventive measure, not a corrective one.
The Limits of Washing
However, washing can only go so far. It doesn’t address:
- Deep-seated grime baked into the coil fins
- Sticky biofilm that traps bacteria and mould spores
- Severe blockages in drainage or fan components
- Loss of cooling caused by heavy build-up
If you’ve been skipping maintenance for a year or more, or you’ve inherited a second-hand unit, washing alone may not restore it to peak performance.
When to Consider a Chemical Overhaul
An aircon chemical overhaul is a highly intensive service. This is the reason its price is justifiably higher than that of a standard cleaning. Technicians dismantle the unit, soak components in a cleaning solution, and remove years of accumulated dirt. This process reaches the areas a standard wash cannot, restoring cooling performance and airflow.
Situations where an overhaul makes sense include:
- Persistent mould or odour after washing
- Noticeably weaker cooling despite clean filters
- Water leakage caused by internal blockage
- Energy bills climbing without a change in usage
An overhaul can feel like a reset button, bringing an older unit much closer to its original efficiency.
Cost Versus Value
Looking at the price of chemical overhaul aircon in isolation might make it seem like a luxury, but it’s actually a form of long-term cost control. Regular overhauls reduce the likelihood of major breakdowns, which often require expensive part replacements or even a full unit swap.
Removing hidden dirt protects the compressor and fan motor, which are two of the most expensive components to repair.
Creating a Smart Maintenance Schedule
A cost-effective approach is to combine the two services strategically. For example:
- Schedule aircon washing service every three to four months
- Plan for a chemical overhaul every 18 to 24 months (or sooner for heavily used units)
This balance ensures your system stays clean on the surface while still getting deep refreshes to prevent hidden damage.
Choosing the Right Provider
For washing, look for a service that cleans beyond just the filters. For overhauls, ensure the quote includes dismantling, chemical cleaning, and reassembly with full testing. Always clarify whether the price includes additional services like gas top-up or minor part checks. A transparent provider will explain why they’re recommending one service over the other and show you the parts that require attention.
Conclusion
Knowing when to choose an aircon washing service and when to invest in the price of a chemical overhaul aircon is about understanding your unit’s condition, not just reacting to symptoms. Washing keeps things running smoothly day-to-day, while an overhaul acts as a reset to bring performance back when problems go deeper.
If you’re unsure which service your aircon truly needs, Airple can assess your system and guide you toward the most cost-effective, performance-focused solution. Contact us today!
