Air conditioning servicing
Air conditioning servicing that keeps it clean, efficient and under warranty
We service and deep clean air conditioning for homes and businesses across Dartford, Kent and south-east London, on most makes. Filters, coils and fans cleaned, the drain cleared, electrics and refrigerant checked, and a written record for your warranty.
What's in a service
What's included in air conditioning servicing
A service takes about an hour for a single wall unit, longer for multi-room, ducted or cassette systems. This is what we do on every visit.
Both modes get tested, because most systems we look after heat as well as cool. A unit that cools well can still have a fault that only shows up in heating.
- Filters taken out, washed and dried, or replaced if they are damaged.
- Indoor coil and fan cleaned and treated, so the unit doesn't blow out dust or a musty smell.
- Condensate drain flushed and the tray checked. A blocked drain is the most common cause of a dripping unit.
- Condensate pump, where there is one, tested so it switches on and clears the water.
- Outdoor unit coil cleaned, fan, mountings and pipe insulation checked, leaves and debris cleared.
- Refrigerant pressures and temperatures checked against the maker's figures. A leak check where the law requires it.
- Electrics and controls: connections, isolator, remote, timers and app checked.
- Heating and cooling both run, with air temperatures and readings recorded.
- A written record for your warranty, plus advice on anything that needs attention.
Service or deep clean?
Annual air con service or a deep clean: which do you need?
Most units need a yearly service. A deep clean is for units that have been left too long, or that smell.
Annual service
For a unit that has been looked after. Filters, coil, fan and drain cleaned, refrigerant and electrics checked, both modes tested and a record left for your warranty. It keeps a healthy unit healthy.
Deep clean
For a unit that has gone years without a service, smells musty, drips or blows out black specks. We strip the indoor unit down, wash the coil and fan with a low-pressure jet and cleaning solution. Then it is serviced as normal, with a record for your warranty.
One Google reviewer, whose unit was leaking and in a bad way, described how Olly "cleaned it thoroughly through low pressure jet and liquid detergent". A dental practice had a "thorough service and deep clean of all our units".
How often
How often should air conditioning be serviced?
Once a year for most homes. Every six months for busy businesses, kitchens, salons and systems that run all day. Skipping it costs you in three ways.
- Your warranty. Manufacturers' warranties depend on regular maintenance, and they can ask to see the records.
- Running costs. A clogged filter and dirty coils make the unit work harder for the same result, so it costs more to run and wears out sooner.
- Clean air. Units that haven't been cleaned for years can harbour mould and bacteria. One unit we stripped down was "spitting out mould from the scroll fan".
A photo of the unit and its label tells us the make and model.
Got a fault rather than a service? See air conditioning repairs. Got an air source heat pump for your radiators? See heat pump servicing.
The law
F-gas leak checks: when is a service a legal requirement?
For most small home units, servicing is about the warranty and running costs, not the law. For bigger and older systems, a yearly leak check is a legal duty.
Under the GB F-gas rules, the owner of a system holding refrigerant equal to 5 tonnes of CO2 or more must have it leak-checked at least every 12 months, and keep records. The line is set in CO2-equivalent, not kilograms, so it depends on the gas.
Swipe sideways to see the whole table →
| Refrigerant | Charge that needs a yearly leak check | Typical systems |
|---|---|---|
| R32 | About 7.4kg or more | Most new home splits hold well under this |
| R410A | About 2.4kg or more | Older multi-splits, ducted and commercial systems |
| R404A | About 1.27kg or more | Many older pub cellar coolers |
Bigger systems need checks more often: every six months from 50 tonnes CO2-equivalent. Source: GOV.UK, "Checking F gas equipment for leaks". We work out which applies to your system from its label, carry out the check and keep the record with you. For businesses, see commercial air conditioning. For pubs, see cellar cooling.
Cost
How much does an air con service cost?
Tell us the make and how many indoor units you have, and we give you the price before we come.
For a feel of the market, Checkatrade's 2026 cost data puts a home air conditioning service at roughly £70 to £120 per indoor unit. Prices in London and the South East tend to sit higher. A deep clean costs more than a standard service, because the unit is stripped down. Read how a clean unit costs less to run.
- How many indoor units. Each one is cleaned and checked, so a five-room multi-split takes longer than a single bedroom unit.
- The type of unit. Ducted systems and ceiling cassettes take longer to open up than a wall unit.
- The state it is in. A unit serviced every year is quicker than one left for five years that needs a deep clean.
- Access. An outdoor unit high on a wall or on a flat roof needs safe access.
- Leak checks and records. Systems in scope for the F-gas rules need a recorded leak check.
Between services
Can I clean my air conditioner myself?
Some of it, yes. A few minutes every few weeks in summer keeps it working well between our visits.
- Wash the filters. Lift the front panel, slide them out, rinse in lukewarm water and let them dry fully before refitting. Every two to four weeks when it is in heavy use.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear. Leave space around it. Clear leaves, and never cover it while it is running.
- Wipe the outside casing with a soft, damp cloth. Switch it off first.
- Leave the inside to us. Cleaning sprays can push dirt deeper into the coil, and the refrigerant circuit is F-gas work that only a certified company can touch.
For businesses
Air conditioning maintenance for businesses
Offices, shops, salons, surgeries and restaurants can have visits planned around opening hours, with the leak-check and refrigerant records the law asks the operator to keep. Systems over 12kW need a TM44 energy inspection by an accredited assessor at least every five years, and we keep the maintenance history your assessor will ask for. Commercial air conditioning.
First class service! Ollie is very knowledgeable, provided a thorough service and deep clean of all our units and fixed a leak.
Wonderful Service, Our Air Conditioner was leaking in winter and since then left in very bad condition. Then, Olly did magic and it's now up and running like a new. He did cleaned it thoroughly through low pressure jet and liquid detergent. Tested whole system to identify other faults. He was reasonable in price compared to other service provider. Highly Recommend him for right service and right guidance.
Olly came to service our Air conditioning unit he was punctual, polite and left the unit looking clean and refreshed and gave us tips on how to keep the unit maintained. Would highly recommend!
Questions
Air conditioning servicing FAQs
How long does an air conditioning service take?
About an hour for a single wall-mounted unit. A multi-split with several indoor units, a ducted system or a ceiling cassette takes longer, because each indoor unit is cleaned and checked. A deep clean on a unit that has gone years without a service takes longer again, as the unit is stripped down. We tell you how long to expect when you book.
Does servicing keep my warranty valid?
Yes. Daikin, Panasonic and Mitsubishi Electric all tie their warranties to regular maintenance. Daikin says a warranty is only valid if annual maintenance is carried out, and it can ask for proof. Panasonic says annual maintenance records must be kept. A yearly service with a written record keeps you covered, so keep the record with your paperwork.
Do you service air conditioning you did not fit?
Yes. We service most makes, including Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Panasonic, Samsung and Fujitsu. If a unit has been neglected for years, a deep clean usually comes first. WhatsApp a photo of the unit and its label when you book, so we know the make and model before we arrive.
My unit smells musty. Is that normal?
No. A musty or damp smell usually means mould and bacteria have built up on the coil and the barrel-shaped fan inside the indoor unit, where it stays damp after cooling. Washing the filter will not reach it. A deep clean, where we strip the unit down, wash and treat the coil and fan, and flush the drain, fixes it.
Do air conditioners need servicing every year?
For most homes, yes, once a year. It keeps the manufacturer's warranty valid, keeps running costs down and keeps the air clean. A unit used lightly in a spare room still needs it for the warranty. Systems in kitchens, salons, gyms and busy offices, or anything running all day, are better serviced every six months.
When should I get my air conditioning serviced?
Any time of year works. Spring is popular, so the unit is clean before the first hot week. Autumn suits people who use it for heating, so it is ready for winter. Booking outside a heatwave also means more choice of dates. If you have a heat pump for your heating and hot water, see heat pump servicing.
Book a service
Tell us the make if you know it and how many indoor units you have.
Quickest way to a price: send on WhatsApp
- A photo of the room and the outside wall
- Your town and what you need
- For a repair, the unit's label and any error code
Free survey and a fixed written quote for new systems. No obligation.