AC Maintenance Before Summer: A Simple Checklist

A well-maintained AC cools faster, uses less electricity and lasts longer. Spend an hour on this checklist in March or April and you will avoid the long queues for technicians in June.

Things you can do yourself

1. Clean the filters. Slide out the filters from the indoor unit, wash with lukewarm water, let them dry completely in the shade, and refit.
2. Wipe the indoor unit. Use a soft dry cloth on the panel and louvres.
3. Clear around the outdoor unit. Remove leaves, plastic bags and anything blocking airflow.
4. Check the drain pipe. Make sure water drips freely outside and the pipe is not blocked.
5. Test the remote and replace batteries.
6. Run the AC for 30 minutes on cool mode and check that the air feels cold and there are no unusual noises.

When to call a technician

• The air is not cold even after cleaning the filters.
• Ice forms on pipes or the indoor coil.
• Water leaks from the indoor unit.
• The breaker trips when the AC starts.
• Loud rattling, buzzing or burning smells.

Never open the outdoor unit or handle refrigerant yourself. Use trained technicians — and if your AC is under warranty, contact the official Dawlance service network first so the warranty remains valid.

Deep cleaning

A professional deep clean of the coils once a year (more often in dusty areas) restores cooling performance and efficiency.

Is it time to replace?

If your AC is very old, needs gas refilling every season or keeps breaking down, replacing it with an inverter model may cost less over a few years than continuing repairs. Compare with the savings calculator and browse inverter ACs.