Aircon Servicing & Repair in Richmond

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.

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.

Once a year is the minimum for a system used seasonally; every 3-4 months if you run it daily in a hot climate. Regular servicing keeps coils and filters clean, which protects the compressor — the most expensive part to replace — and keeps energy use down.

Refrigerant does not get used up — if the level is low, there is a leak. A proper job is leak detection, repair, then regas, which costs several times a plain top-up but stops the problem recurring. Be wary of any technician who suggests routine annual top-ups.

Check the simple things first: thermostat mode and setpoint, dirty filters, and blocked outdoor unit airflow. If those are fine, the usual culprits are low refrigerant from a leak, a failed capacitor or fan motor, or a dirty coil. Low refrigerant always means a leak — a technician should find and fix the leak, not just top up the gas.

Most charge a call-out or diagnostic fee that covers travel and the first inspection; many waive or credit it against the repair if you go ahead. Confirm the fee, whether it is credited, and any surcharge for evenings, weekends, or urgent same-day visits before the technician is dispatched.

R-22 (Freon) production and import ended in the US in 2020, so systems that use it rely on reclaimed refrigerant at high per-pound prices. If your pre-2010 system has an R-22 leak, a repair plus regas can cost a large fraction of a new R-410A or R-454B system — get a replacement quote for comparison.

Yes — the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) covers 30% of the cost of qualifying high-efficiency heat pumps and central AC up to annual caps, and many utilities add their own rebates. Ask the contractor for equipment that meets the qualifying CEE efficiency tiers.