Table of Contents
Quick Summary
- Owners of new condos often avoid calling professional air conditioning services because everything feels fresh, clean, and in perfect working condition. This very avoidance can lead to expensive repairs.
- A new air conditioning system starts to accumulate dust, moisture, microscopic debris, etc., from the very first day it begins running. This implies that new units are not immune to damage and need annual servicing.
- The accumulation of dust and mould in air conditioners leads to poor air quality.
- Annual AC servicing keeps your air conditioner in good health and also extends the usable lifespan of the unit.
- An air conditioner that is not serviced regularly becomes less efficient and increases your energy bills.
- Professional air conditioning service providers have special tools and kits for the deep cleaning of AC units.
- Most new condos often encounter issues such as refrigerant not being charged correctly, wrongly installed drain pipes, and improper fitting.
- In view of the above, it is recommended to call professional air conditioning services at least once a year, irrespective of whether the condo is new or old.
You just moved into a brand-new condo. The air conditioner is fresh from the factory, the filters are clean, and everything feels like it’s running perfectly. So why would you bother calling a technician when nothing seems broken?
This is one of the most common misconceptions condo owners make and it often leads to expensive repairs, poor air quality, and a dramatically shorter lifespan for their unit. Here’s the truth about why even a brand-new air conditioner needs professional servicing every single year.
Why New Condos Are Not Exempt From Regular AC Maintenance
Many condo buyers assume that a newly installed air conditioner comes with a grace period where servicing isn’t necessary. Unfortunately, that’s not how air conditioning systems work. From the very first day your unit runs, it begins accumulating dust, moisture, and microscopic debris inside the coils, drainage pipes, and filters. Within just a few months of regular use heat and humidity builds up causing low performance that is not easily detectable.
This is exactly why Total Aircond Service exists to help condo owners in Malaysia stay ahead of these hidden problems before they turn into expensive breakdowns. New units are not immune to installation errors either. Improper refrigerant charging, loose electrical connections, or poorly sealed drainage systems are common issues in newly built condos that go undetected without a professional eye. Scheduling an annual service from day one is the smartest habit any new condo owner can build.
How Dust and Mould Accumulation Affects Indoor Air Quality in Condos
Condos present a unique indoor air challenge compared to landed properties. With limited natural ventilation and windows that often stay closed, your air conditioner is essentially the primary air circulation system in your home. When internal components particularly the evaporator coil and blower fan accumulate dust and mould, every breath of cool air you enjoy is passing through a contaminated surface.
Mould growth inside AC units is particularly common in countries with humid climate. Even in a new unit, mould can begin forming inside the drain pan and coil within six to twelve months of operation. Professional cleaning removes these contaminants completely, something a simple filter rinse at home cannot achieve.
Annual AC Servicing Protects Your Warranty and Extends Appliance Lifespan
Most air conditioner manufacturers require documented proof of regular maintenance to honour warranty claims. Skipping your annual service doesn’t just risk a breakdown. It can void your warranty entirely, leaving you fully responsible for repair costs that could run into thousands of ringgits.
Beyond warranty protection, regular servicing extends the usable lifespan of your unit significantly. A well-maintained air conditioner in any home can last twelve to fifteen years or more. Without maintenance, the same unit may begin failing within five to seven years due to compressor strain, refrigerant leaks, and electrical wear.
The Hidden Electricity Cost of a Dirty Air Conditioner
An air conditioner that hasn’t been serviced works harder to produce the same amount of cooling. Dirty coils reduce heat exchange efficiency, forcing the compressor to run longer cycles. This translates directly into higher electricity bills every month, often increasing energy consumption by fifteen to twenty-five percent compared to a clean, well-maintained unit.
For condo owners where electricity bills are already a significant monthly expense, this hidden cost adds up quickly. An annual professional service pays for itself many times over through electricity savings alone.
What Professional Air conditioning Servicing Includes That DIY Cleaning Misses
Many homeowners regularly rinse their filters and consider the job done. While this basic step helps, it barely scratches the surface of what a professional service covers. A professional annual air-conditioning service includes deep cleaning of the evaporator coil, chemical washing of the blower fan, clearing and flushing of the drainage pipe, checking refrigerant pressure levels, inspecting electrical components and capacitors. Additionally, they also test the thermostat and compressor performance.
These are not tasks that can be replicated with a garden hose and a cloth. The internal components of a split unit require specialised tools, chemical cleaning agents, and technical knowledge to service correctly and safely.
Common AC Problems Found in New Condos That Only Servicing Reveals
It might surprise you how frequently newly installed units in condos are found to have underlying issues. Installation teams working on large residential projects are often under time pressure, which means shortcuts happen. Common findings during first-year service calls include refrigerant that was never charged to the correct level, drainage pipes installed at the wrong angle causing water leaks, and vibration mounts that were improperly fitted leading to excessive noise.
Catching these issues within the first year while they’re still relatively minor makes a significant difference in long-term reliability. Waiting until the unit breaks down completely means a more complex and expensive repair job.
How Often Should Condo Air Conditioners Be Serviced?
The general recommendation new homes, including condos, is a professional service at least once every year. However, if your unit runs for more than eight hours a day which is common in condos with limited cross-ventilation, a service every six months is a smarter approach.
Households with young children, elderly residents, or anyone with respiratory conditions should also consider more frequent servicing, as air quality inside the home is directly linked to the cleanliness of the AC system.
Don’t wait for your air conditioner to break down before giving it the attention it needs. Schedule your annual service today and keep your home cool, clean, and efficient all year round.
Also Read: Recognizing the Warning Signs: When Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair
FAQs on Professional Air Conditioner Services
1. Does a brand-new air conditioner really need servicing in the first year?
Yes. Even a new unit begins collecting dust, moisture, and debris from its very first use. Installation issues such as incorrect refrigerant levels or poorly fitted drainage pipes are also common in newly built condos and can only be identified through a professional inspection. Servicing in the first year helps catch these problems before they cause bigger damage.
2. How much does a professional aircond service cost in Malaysia?
The cost of a standard aircond service in Malaysia typically ranges from RM60 to RM150 per unit depending on the type of service, whether it is basic cleaning, chemical wash, or chemical overhaul. Given the savings on electricity bills and the cost of potential repairs avoided, annual servicing is one of the most cost-effective maintenance decisions a condo owner can make.
3. Can I just clean the filter myself instead of hiring a technician?
Cleaning or rinsing your filter at home is a good habit, but it only addresses the outermost layer of the unit. The evaporator coil, blower fan, drainage pipe, and refrigerant system all require professional tools and expertise to clean and inspect properly. DIY filter cleaning alone is not a substitute for an annual professional service.
4. Will skipping one year of servicing really make a difference?
It depends on how heavily your unit is used, but countries with hot and humid climate, skipping even one year can lead to noticeable mould buildup, reduced cooling performance, higher electricity consumption, and in some cases, water leaking from the unit. The longer servicing is postponed, the more thorough and expensive the remedial work tends to be.
5. Does servicing my AC void the developer’s defect liability period coverage?
No and in fact the opposite is true. Regular professional servicing supports your warranty claim by showing that the unit was properly maintained. Neglecting maintenance is more likely to void your warranty than having it serviced. Always keep your service receipts as documentation.
6. How long does a professional aircond service take?
A standard service for one split unit typically takes between 45 minutes to one and a half hours. A chemical wash takes slightly longer. Most service providers can complete multiple units in a single visit, making it convenient to service your entire condo in one appointment.
Author & Expert Review
Written By: 
Nidhi Patel | Civil Engineer & Content Writer
| Credentials: B.E. (Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technical Education and Research Centre), Registered with Gujarat Technological University (GTU). Experience: Civil Engineer with 3+ years of content writing experience, currently writing blogs for Gharpedia, part of SDCPL. Expertise: Specializing in SEO-optimized blogs and long-form articles focused on home improvement, construction, interiors and architect topics. I create well-researched, reader-focused content that balances technical accuracy with clarity, making complex subjects easy to understand. Find her on: LinkedIn |
Verified By Expert:
Avni Desai Environmental Engineer, SDCPL | M.E. (Environmental Engineering)
This article has been reviewed for environmental, MEP, and building services accuracy by Avni Desai, an Environmental Engineer at Sthapati Designers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (SDCPL). With over 8 years of experience in water supply, wastewater management, infrastructure design, and building services, she brings practical expertise in MEP services, sustainable solutions, design planning, and on-site practices. Her professional services include planning and design of water supply systems, sewage and wastewater treatment systems (STP/WTP), drainage, rainwater harvesting, and other sustainable building services. Her review ensures the content aligns with environmental standards, efficient services planning, and real-world applicability.
Find her on: LinkedIn
