What does an air conditioning service include?

What a service costs

One price for a single split system, plus a set price for each extra indoor unit we service on the same visit. Both include VAT.

• An annual service

  Keeps the manufacturer warranty valid

  from£119inc. VAT

• Each extra indoor unit

  Same visit

  from£59inc. VAT

The indoor unit

Most of the dirt that affects comfort, smell and running cost builds up here.

• Filters removed, washed, dried and refitted
• Any extra air-cleaning filters checked, cleaned or flagged for replacement, depending on the model
• Indoor coil cleaned, to stop dust and mould building up
• Fan wheel and air outlet checked and cleaned, so air flows freely and quietly
• Louvres and swing motors checked
• Condensate tray and drain flushed, and any condensate pump tested
• Casing, front panel and wall bracket checked for damage and secure fixing

The outdoor unit

• Outdoor coil cleaned and cleared of leaves, dust and debris
• Fan and fan guard checked for damage and free running
• Bracket or ground stand, anti-vibration mounts and fixings checked
• Pipe insulation and outdoor trunking checked for damage
• Space around the unit checked, so it can breathe
• Drain from the outdoor unit checked, as it sheds water when defrosting in heating mode

Refrigerant circuit and performance

This is the part a DIY clean can't do. Working on the refrigerant circuit needs an F-Gas certified engineer.

• Refrigerant pressures and temperatures measured against the manufacturer's figures
• Pipe joints and valves checked for signs of a leak
• Air temperature in and out of the indoor unit measured, to confirm it's cooling and heating as it should
• Refrigerant charge label on the outdoor unit checked, and the type and amount noted
• System run in cooling and in heating

Electrics and controls

• Electrical connections checked for tightness and signs of overheating
• Isolator and supply checked
• Remote control, timers and modes tested
• App or Wi-Fi control tested, if fitted
• Any stored error codes read and noted

What a service doesn't include

A service doesn't include topping up refrigerant. A split system is sealed, so if the pressure is low there's a leak. The fix is to find and repair the leak, then refill to the correct weight, which we price separately. Adding gas without a repair just loses it again.

Repairs and replacement parts are also extra. If we find a fault, we explain it and give you a written price before doing anything. For systems holding 5 tCO2e of refrigerant or more, the legal F-Gas leak check is a separate duty with its own record, though we can do it on the same visit.

What happens on the day

1. 1

   Book

   Tell us the brand, how many indoor units you have and when it was last serviced. A photo of the unit's label helps.

2. 2

   Protect

   The engineer puts down dust sheets, then switches the system off safely at the isolator before starting.

3. 3

   Service

   Every item on the checklist, indoors and out. A single wall unit usually takes around an hour.

4. 4

   Test

   We run the system in cooling and heating and measure the air temperatures to confirm it's working properly.

5. 5

   Record

   You get a written service record for your warranty file, and a written price for anything that needs fixing.

Why the written record matters

Manufacturers attach conditions to their warranties. Daikin's UK warranty page says the warranty is only valid if annual maintenance is carried out, and that Daikin can ask for proof. Panasonic's warranty terms ask for yearly maintenance with records kept. Without paperwork, a claim can be refused.

Your record lists the date, the system and what we did, the measurements we took, anything we found and what we recommend. Keep it with your installation paperwork, and pass the file on if you sell the property.

Service questions