Should You Repair or Replace Your Aircon? A Practical Guide for Singapore Homes

posted by: City Cooling Management
May 17, 2023
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Aircon Repair

We often take the cool comfort of air conditioners for granted—until they stop working. Whether it’s a leaking system, reduced airflow, or a total breakdown, you’re faced with a choice: repair the issue or consider a full aircon replacement in Singapore.

But how do you know which choice makes more sense? Let’s explore key factors to help you decide when to repair and when to replace your aircon.

1. Age of Your Aircon Unit

Most outdoor unit air conditioners last 10 to 15 years, depending on usage and care. As they age, they lose efficiency and break down more often, sometimes requiring costly air conditioning parts like compressors or circuit boards.

If your aircon is approaching the end of its life, replacing it with a newer, more efficient model might save you more in the long term.

2. Maintenance History

Regular aircon servicing in Singapore—filter cleaning, chemical washes, and system checks—can extend your unit’s lifespan. If your system has been well-maintained, repairing it could be the smarter choice. But if it frequently breaks down or lacks service history, replacement is usually more reliable.

Learn More: 3 Benefits of Regular Aircon Servicing and Maintenance

3. Cost: Repair vs Replacement

Repair may seem cheaper upfront, but frequent breakdowns and inefficiencies can rack up bills quickly. New systems are more energy-efficient and come with warranties, reducing long-term expenses.

Pro Tip: If your repair costs exceed 50% of the price for an air conditioner replacement, it’s time to upgrade.

4. Energy Efficiency and Comfort

Older systems often take longer to cool and drive up energy bills. A modern aircon replacement offers better performance, faster cooling, and energy savings, especially with a new outdoor unit air conditioner installed properly.

5. Final Verdict: Repair or Replace?

Situation	Best Option
Unit is <10 years old, minor issues	Repair
High energy bills, poor cooling	Replace
Frequent breakdowns, outdated model	Replace
Minimal faults, serviced regularly	Repair

Need Expert Help?

At City Cooling Singapore, we help Singapore homeowners make informed decisions about repairing or replacing their air conditioning systems. Whether you need expert repair, installation, or full aircon replacement in Singapore, our technicians are here to help.

Elements Entailed in an Aircon Repair Process

posted by: City Cooling Management
May 2, 2023
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Aircon Repair

Air conditioning units do much of their heavy duty work relatively quietly. They take hot air, cool it down, remove contaminants, reduce humidity, and then release it into the environment. They are also running continuously for hours in a day and it’s not surprising that they require rigorous maintenance and servicing to perform at optimal levels.

However, despite your best efforts, you might still find that your air conditioning unit breaks down from time to time. When this happens, your best course of action is to opt for a professional aircon repair service in Singapore and get expert advice. To help you understand what goes on during a typical aircon repair process, we’ve broken it down into the main elements.

1. Cleaning Of Different Aircon Components

Aircons are complex appliances with many different parts that are all crucial for proper functioning. One of the most common reasons for aircon failure is usually due to dust and debris accumulation on aircon components. Over time, aircon components such as air filters, coils, and fins accumulate dirt, dust, and debris, which reduces the unit’s efficiency. Therefore, a repair technician will first disassemble the unit and thoroughly clean each component using specialized tools and cleaning agents.

2. Evaluating Condenser Unit

The condenser unit is responsible for removing heat from the air and expelling it outside. If the condenser unit is not functioning correctly, it can cause the aircon to blow warm air or shut down completely. If these signs are noticed in a malfunctioning unit, the condenser is more often than not the culprit for the issue.

During the aircon repair process, the technician will evaluate the condenser to ensure that it is functioning as it is supposed to be. This may involve cleaning the condenser coil, checking the fan blades and motor, and testing the electrical connections.

3. Investigating Electrical Components

The many electrical components can also very often lead to an aircon breakdown. An experienced technician will inspect the electrical components to ensure that they are functioning correctly. They will check for loose wires, frayed cords, or faulty connections. Any electrical component that isn’t working can lead to a number of different problems with your aircon.

In these cases the fix can be a simple part replacement or a changing of the wires and electrical contact points during an aircon servicing in Singapore. However correctly locating the component that is causing the problem is where an expert’s eye is required. For this purpose, you should always get a qualified technician to conduct the repair to avoid running into further issues.

Source: Alliance Climate Control

4. Checking Of Refrigerant System

The refrigerant system consists of fluids which circulate through the aircon, and is responsible for cooling the air in the aircon. Over time this refrigerant can decrease in level due to leaks in the piping or other issues. During an aircon servicing, a technician will check the refrigerant lines for any leaks and repair them if necessary. The refrigerant fluid levels will also be topped up if required.

Unless you are a trained aircon repair technician, you should not attempt to perform an aircon unit repair by yourself. Aircon repair is extremely complicated and most laymen do not have either the technical know-how or the right tools. Professional aircon repair men on the other hand have a wide range of experience dealing with different aircon unit problems and are more than capable of servicing your unit correctly.

With years of experience under our belts, City Cooling provides top-notch professional aircon repair and maintenance services. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our team.