Looking after your system
How often should air conditioning be serviced?
How often to service a home air conditioning system, what a service includes, what you can do yourself, and the signs something needs looking at.
Last reviewed 2 min read
How often to service
Most manufacturers and installers recommend a professional service once a year. Many extended warranties require it, so check your warranty terms and keep the service records.
An annual service typically costs £80 to £150 per system, and less per unit when several are serviced on one visit.
What a service includes
- Cleaning or replacing the indoor unit filters.
- Cleaning the indoor coil and fan, and treating them to reduce mould and odours.
- Checking and clearing the condensate drain and any pump.
- Cleaning the outdoor unit’s coil and checking the fan.
- Checking operating pressures and temperatures, and looking for signs of refrigerant leaks.
- Checking electrical connections and the controls.
Anything involving the refrigerant must be done by an F-Gas certified engineer.
What you can do yourself
- Clean the indoor unit’s filters every few weeks while the system is in regular use. Most slide out and can be vacuumed or rinsed. Check the manual first.
- Keep leaves, plants and debris clear of the outdoor unit.
- Wipe the indoor unit’s casing and louvres.
- Run the system for a short while every few weeks in the off-season.
Always switch the system off before cleaning it, and don’t open panels or touch the refrigerant pipework.
Signs it needs looking at
- It isn’t cooling or heating as well as it used to.
- Water dripping from the indoor unit.
- Ice on the pipes or the indoor unit.
- New rattling, buzzing or grinding noises.
- Musty or unusual smells when it runs.
- An error code on the display or remote.
How long systems last
A well-maintained split system typically lasts 10 to 15 years, and sometimes longer. Regular servicing helps it keep working efficiently for longer.
Common questions
- Does air conditioning need servicing every year?
- Annual servicing is the usual recommendation, and many manufacturer warranties require it. In between, clean the filters yourself every few weeks while the system is in regular use.
- Does air conditioning need regassing?
- A split system is a sealed circuit and shouldn’t need topping up. If it’s low on refrigerant there’s a leak, which a certified engineer should find and repair rather than just regassing.
This guide is general information, not professional planning, electrical or financial advice. Check the details for your property with the council and a qualified installer.