5 Questions to Ask Before Booking Aircon Servicing

Aircon servicing is not a standardised product. What one company calls a general service may include a drain flush, while another only vacuums the filter and wipes the casing. The price looks similar, but the scope is different. If you do not ask what is included, you only find out what was excluded when a problem shows up later.

The questions below are not about catching anyone out — they are about making sure you and the service provider are aligned on what will be done, what it costs, and what happens if something comes up during the visit. That alignment saves both sides time and avoids disputes.

A general service should, at minimum, include cleaning the air filters, checking the drain pipe for blockage, inspecting the indoor unit for obvious issues, and a brief operational test. Some companies also include a coil wipe, drain tray flush, or a condensate line vacuum. Others do not.

Ask for a list. If the company cannot tell you what their general service includes, that is useful information in itself. A provider who is clear about scope before the visit is more likely to be thorough during it.

This is the most common pricing misunderstanding. A quote might say a certain amount for general servicing without specifying whether that covers one indoor unit or the entire system. For a System 3 or 4 setup, the difference is significant. Confirm whether the price is per fan coil unit or for the complete multi-split system.

Also ask whether the price includes GST, transport, and any call-out charges. Some companies advertise a low base price and add surcharges on arrival. Getting the all-in figure upfront avoids surprises on the day.

During a general service, a technician may notice something that needs repair — a slow drain, a noisy bearing, or signs of a refrigerant leak. The question is whether they will inform you and quote separately, or simply do the repair and add it to the bill.

A trustworthy provider diagnoses, informs, and quotes before doing any work beyond the agreed scope. If a company says they will fix whatever they find and charge accordingly, that is an open-ended commitment on your side. Ask for the policy upfront.

A receipt that only shows the amount paid is not a servicing record. What you need for warranty purposes and future reference is a receipt that lists the date, what was done, which units were serviced, and ideally the technician's name. If a warranty claim or landlord dispute comes up later, this record is your evidence.

If the company does not issue detailed receipts, ask if they can. Most will accommodate the request. If they refuse or say it is not standard practice, consider that a signal about how they document their work generally.

This is worth asking because some companies default to recommending chemical washes — which cost more — even when a general service would suffice. A general service handles surface-level maintenance. A chemical wash involves dismantling the front of the unit and flushing the coil and blower wheel with a cleaning solution. It is needed when there is visible mould, persistent smell, or reduced airflow that a general service cannot resolve.

If your unit was serviced recently and is still cooling well, a general service is almost always enough. If the unit has not been serviced in a long time, shows signs of mould, or smells musty even after a general service, a chemical wash is the appropriate next step. A company that asks about your symptoms before recommending the service type is approaching it correctly.