Aircon Servicing & Repair in Oldham

A common rule: if the repair costs more than half the price of a new unit, or the system is over 10-12 years old and needs a compressor or coil replacement, replace it. Newer inverter units are typically 30-50% more efficient, so heavy users recoup part of the cost through lower bills.

A chemical wash cleans the coil, blower, and drain pan in place. A chemical overhaul dismantles the indoor unit completely, soaks the parts, checks bearings and seals, and reassembles it. Choose an overhaul when a wash has not fixed persistent leaks, noise, or weak cooling, or for units neglected for years.

The most common cause is a clogged condensate drain line — dirt and algae block the pipe and water backs up into the room. Other causes are a dirty evaporator coil that ices over and then melts, a cracked drain pan, or an incorrectly sloped drain pipe. A drain flush during a standard service usually fixes it.

You can safely wash or replace filters monthly, keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and debris, and wipe the indoor casing. Anything involving the refrigerant circuit, electrical components, or coil chemicals should be left to a certified technician — refrigerant handling is legally restricted in most countries.

Inverter units vary compressor speed instead of switching on and off, so they hold temperature more steadily and cost 20-40% less to run for long daily use. Non-inverter units are cheaper upfront and fine for rooms cooled a few hours a day. For daily whole-day use, the inverter premium usually pays back in 2-3 years.

Yes — an annual service (£60-£150 per unit) is still worth it in the UK climate because units that sit idle grow mould in the coil and drain pan, and seals dry out. Book in spring before the short summer demand spike.

Usually yes for a single outdoor condenser under permitted development rules, but there are limits on siting (e.g. distance from boundaries, not on the principal elevation facing a highway) and flats/leaseholds normally need freeholder consent. Listed buildings and conservation areas need consent.