Tips from

Dear Aircon Guru Clients,

Thank you for choosing Aircon Guru for your A/C Servicing needs.

We hope that you and your family are doing well during this difficult time.

Here at Aircon Guru, we wish you the best in this trying time. We are going to
share some tips and information on keeping your Air Conditioner (A/C) healthy.

Feel free to contact us at hello@aircon.guru or call / WhatsApp at +6587982426

if you have any queries, we are always here to help.

This document should take approximately 12 minutes to read.

Staying at Home
Due to Circuit Breaker restrictions, most, if not all, are working from home and staying at home
almost all the time. Singapore’s hot and humid weather makes it difficult to stay at home without
turning on the A/C. This means that your A/C is running more frequently and for longer hours.

Equipment Issues with Prolonged A/C use

When the usage of A/C increases, and with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) prohibiting
residential A/C servicing, the chance of issues popping up increases. Also, when MTI is
restricting repairs (subject to appeals) till 4 May (which may be extended further), we would
want to keep our A/C as healthy as possible.

Caution

There are many Youtube instructional videos available if you wish to watch how to do basic
A/C maintenance or repair.
Please note that due to the differences in various brands and models, not all information is
relevant. We strongly advise against following any video that requires you to use tools to
dismantle the A/C as you might damage your A/C and have difficulty dismantling and
reassembling it. Aircon Guru is not responsible for any damages if you do so.

We are sharing 3 main topics to help keep your A/C healthy until the next available servicing.
(You can click on the topics and subtopics to go directly to that section)

1) Main Parts of Wall Mounted Fan Coil Unit

2) What You Can Do to Reduce Probability of A/C issues

a) Reduce A/C Usage / Loading
b) Self-Maintenance of A/C

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3) Common Issues and DIY Troubleshooting –

Caution.
Troubleshooting and repairs should be done by a trained professional. While some DIY can be
done easily, there are solutions listed that requires professional assistance. If you chose to do
those yourself, it is done it at your own risk, Aircon Guru is not responsible if your action results
in damages your equipment
a) Leaking A/C
b) A/C Not Cold or Not Blowing Cold Air
c) Noisy / Rattling Sound
d) A/C Unable to Power On
e) A/C Light is Blinking and Does Not Turn On

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Main Parts of Wall Mounted Fan Coil Unit

The most common A/C installed in your home would be a wall mounted Fan Coil Unit (FCU).
The FCU is the indoor part of the A/C system, mounted on the wall and contains both the
Evaporator and the Condenser in its plastic shell. Behind the cover, which can be easily
opened, is the removable Filter. The Evaporator Coils are normally located directly behind the
removable Filter. When the A/C is turned on, water that condenses will collect in a condensate
drain pan / tray underneath those evaporator coils. From there, the water drains out of the A/C,
with the help of a pump, through a hole into a drainage pipe. The drainage pipe typically ends
at a drainage point within the home and is usually at the toilet or sewerage point.

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What You Can Do to Reduce Probability of A/C issues

While the ideal situation is to have regular maintenance servicing, we understand that this is
not possible during the Circuit Breaker. Hence, we recommend that you try the following to
keep your A/C healthy till the next servicing:

1) Reduce A/C Usage / Loading (also reduce your electric bill)

a) Use the Fan More Frequently

We are in the inter monsoon season (Mar to May) where we may experience heavy
thunderstorms during the afternoon or early evenings.
(http://www.weather.gov.sg/climate-climate-of-singapore/)
This means that it would be cooler and also wetter.
When it is not too hot, we suggest turning off the A/C and using the fans, if possible.
If you do not have a fan, your A/C has a fan mode. You can use the remote control,
press the mode button until the selector is next to the symbol of a fan, which may look
like or .
Do note that this is not selecting the fan speed. Also, it would help to open the windows
to let the cool air from outside circulate.

b) Turning off the A/C before you wake up

We would suggest that you try to set the timer on the A/C to turn off 1 - 2 hours before
you wake up. If you are a light sleeper and this wakes you up, then do not do this, but
now you have an alternate alarm clock that works. Please let us know if you need help
with setting this and we will guide you through it.

c) Combination of A/C and Fan

Consider turning up the temperature (i.e. hotter) by 1°C - 2°C or more and lowering the
fan speed. Use a fan to help circulate the cool air.

d) Avoid Turning on the A/C Where You Cook

The cooking environment is usually hot and humid, this will push the A/C to work harder,
drawing in more air while trying to cool the environment. Also, the oil fumes will collect
on the filters, possibly clogging them.

e) Dissipate Heat from Equipment

As we work from home, we surround ourselves with our computers, laptops, monitors
and other IT equipment. These equipment generate a fair amount of heat and being in
close proximity to them without a cooling source is quite uncomfortable. You can try to
use a fan to blow the heat away from you. Hopefully, you would be able to work without
turning on the A/C.

f) Turning Your A/C Temperature Settings Up

By setting a very low temperature (16°C to 18°C) and at maximum fan speed, the A/C
needs to work hard to keep that temperature. This may cause ice to form and accumulate
on the evaporator coils and make them less efficient, which could result in no cold air.
This problem is made worse if your Filters are dirty or blocked. Also, the melting ice may
become a source of leaks. Try setting the temperatures above 21°C and at medium fan
speeds. Note that it is recommended to set it at 25°C for environmental considerations.

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Setting it to a very low temperature also does not necessarily cool the room faster. The
A/C works at its rated cooling capacity to cool or heat the room; setting it to a very low
temperature may put unnecessary strain on it and reduce its performance in the long
run.
In addition, if you are wearing thick clothes or trying to keep warm, it may be possible
that you have set your A/C temperature too low.

g) Give Your A/C Time Off

All mechanical and electrical equipment needs a break. Keeping the A/C running
continuously puts a lot of strain on the system and will cause it to lose efficiency, failures
and issues may also occur sooner.

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2) Self-Maintenance of A/C

Caution
Always turn off the power to your A/C before carrying out any maintenance
Take the necessary precautions when climbing up to reach your A/C and when
coming down. Where possible, get someone to help you.

We suggest that you carry out self-maintenance if you had not done any servicing within the last
2 months and every 5 - 6 weeks thereafter if there is no servicing planned for the next few
months. We recommend completing items a) to c). Each unit should take approximately 15min
to clean. Item d) is a little more complicated and we recommend you only do it if you have the
required equipment and is familiar with the set-up and components of your A/C. Item e) requires
you to purchase off the shelf chemical cleaners.

a) General Cleaning of Unit (Time taken approx. 2-3min)

i) Use a damp cloth with soapy water to wipe the external cover.
ii) Then use a damp cloth with clean water to wipe away the soap.

b) Cleaning the Removable Filter (Time taken approx. 5-10min)

With typical usage (8 hours daily), the Filters should be cleaned every 3 to 4 months,
with prolonged and more frequent usage, the Filter will get clogged faster.
i) Remove the Filters by opening the A/C front cover (usually by lifting upwards,
look out for grooves to hold onto at the sides of the A/C and to help open the
cover) then slide or pull them out, there are usually 2 pieces.
ii) Wash or vacuum the Filters. Dry the Filters before putting them back into the A/C.
You can speed up the drying of the Filters by gently tapping them on the wall and
shaking to remove the excess water or using a cloth to wipe them.

c) Cleaning the Evaporator Coils (Time taken approx. 5 min)

After removing and washing the Filters, you can use the vacuum cleaner to clean the
Evaporator Coils while waiting for the Filters to dry. Do note that the blades can be quite
thin and bend easily. So, try to leave a small gap between the blades and the vacuum
nozzle or use the brush head that comes with the vacuum.

d) Cleaning the Drainage Pipes (Time taken approx. 15-45min)

- Additional Equipment Required - *Wet Vacuum Cleaner
The drainage system removes excess water from the A/C wall unit through a condensate
drain pan and into the drainage pipe. Overtime, the pipe or the opening to the drainage
pipe can be clogged due to mould or dirt. If you cannot access the pan or pipe, we do
not recommend that you dismantle the A/C to reach them.
*Wet Vacuum Cleaner - Vacuum cleaner that is designed to clean up and hold liquids. Check the
specifications of your vacuum cleaner online if you are unsure.

i) Condensate Drain Pan Not Accessible

•
Use a wet vacuum cleaner and attach it to the exit point of the drainage pipe to clear the
blockages. You can use your hand or a towel and place it over the vacuum nozzle and
pipe exit to increase the suction power.
• Turn on the vacuum for at least 1-2 minutes and check for debris or “gel-like” substances.
Repeat the vacuum process until there is no debris or substances.
*This process also helps to solve a leaking A/C due to clogged drainage pipe.

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ii) Condensate Drain Pan Accessible

If your A/C is leaking due to a suspected clogged drainage pipe, do not do this until you
have cleared it by cleaning it as described above.
• If your condensate drain pan is accessible and drainage pipe is not clogged / blocked,
you can pour a mixture of 30% bleach and 70% water or Vinegar (about 300ml to 500ml
- volume of 1 soda can to a small bottle of mineral water) very slowly into the pan and be
careful not to overfill the pan. This may help kill any mould that may be accumulating in
the pan and the drainage pipe. Leave it for 30 min.
• After 30 min, flush the drainage pipe by pouring clean water (about 1 litre - volume 2 small
bottles of mineral water size) very slowly and be careful not to overfill the pan, if possible,
check if the water flows out freely at the exit.
• If you have a wet vacuum, you can use it to help clean the drainage pipe better. You can
follow the steps above as per Condensate Pan Not Accessible.

e) Using Chemical Spray-On Cleaners (Time taken depends on product’s

specifications)
These products are readily available online and in shops. Always use the non-toxic or
corrosive types. These are usually for the Filters and Evaporator Coils and would need
to be washed with clean water after spraying them on for recommended time (see
instruction label on cleaner).

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3) Common Issues and DIY Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting and repairs should always be done by a trained professional. We are sharing
some DIY troubleshooting that may help alleviate the situation and may not necessarily be the
final solution or long-term fix. While we try to share some methods, which should not damage
or use tools to dismantle the A/C, we would still need to remind you that Aircon Guru is not
responsible for any damages caused if the A/C is damaged by you conducting DIY
troubleshooting. Pointers in italic would likely require professional assistance.

a) Leaking A/C
A leaking A/C can be caused by a few factors and the common ones are listed below.
i) Temperature Settings Too Low (16°C to 18°C).
Problem - Ice may form on Evaporator Coils and A/C leaks when it melts. You can open
the front cover and remove the Filters to look at the Evaporator Coils if you suspect this.
This problem is exacerbated when your Filters or Evaporator Coils are dirty, blocked or
clogged.
Possible Solution - Turn up the temperature to above 21°C, Clean Removable Filter and
Evaporator Coils as per above, inform the technicians at your next servicing.
ii) Blocked / Clogged Filters or Evaporator Coil
Problem - Lack of Airflow over the evaporator coil causes it to be too cold and ice forms.
A/C leaks when the ice melts. You can open the front cover and remove and inspect the
filters and the Evaporator Coils if you suspect this.
Possible Solution - Clean Removable Filter and Evaporator Coils as per above, inform
the technicians at your next servicing.
iii) Cold Air Leaks
Problem - Cold air leaking out from different parts of the A/C instead of the vents causing
condensation and water to drip.
Possible Solution - Check for air leaking (with the A/C switched on, hold a piece of tissue
and move it around the A/C slowly). Dry and seal the leaking locations with tape or epoxy
and inform the technicians at your next servicing.
iv) Condensate Drain Pan / Drainage Pipe Clogged
Problem - Water that had condensed within the A/C is unable to drain away.
Possible Solution - See Above for Cleaning of Drainage Pipes, inform the technicians at
your next servicing. If you are unable to clean drainage pipes, you would need to
schedule for servicing / repair.
v) Condensate Drain Pan Damaged / Rusted
Problem - Overtime, the condensate drain pan may rust or corrode, leaving holes. Water
that accumulates in the pan leaks out these holes.
Possible Solution - Cannot DIY, 1 of many probable causes if i) to iv) is done and A/C
still leaking, needs professional assessment and replacement of drain pan.
vi) Broken Pump
Problem - Due to wear and tear, the pump stops working and does not help draw water
from the drain pan to the drain pipe. Water accumulates faster than it can drain out and
the A/C leaks.
Possible Solution - Cannot DIY, 1 of many probable causes if i) to iv) is done and A/C
still leaking, needs professional assessment and replacement of pump.
vii) Internal Pipe Leaks
Problem - Due to wear and tear, pipes within the A/C corrodes, leaving holes. Water then
drips out of these holes.
Possible Solution - Cannot DIY, 1 of many probable causes if i) to iv) is done and A/C
still leaking, needs professional assessment and replacement or patching of pipes.

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viii) Condenser Coil Leaking

The Condenser Coil is located outside your house.
Problem: Due to the exposure to the elements and dust, it can get damaged.
Possible Solution : Cannot DIY, 1 of many probable causes if i) to iv) is done and A/C still
leaking, needs professional assessment.

b) A/C Not Cold or Not Blowing Cold Air

i) Temperature Settings Too Low (16°C to 18°C)
Problem - Ice may form on Evaporator Coils and the cooling effect is lost. If you suspect
this, you can open the front cover and remove the Filters to look at the Evaporator Coils.
This problem is worsened when your Filters or Evaporator Coils are dirty, blocked or
clogged.
Possible Solution - Turn up the temperature to above 21°C, See Above for Cleaning of
Removable Filter and Evaporator Coils, inform the technicians at your next servicing.
ii) Blocked / Clogged Filters or Evaporator Coil
Problem - Lack of Airflow over the Evaporator Coil reduces the cooling efficiency of the
coils. You can open the front cover and remove and inspect the filters and the Evaporator
Coils if you suspect this.
Possible Solution - See Above for Cleaning of Removable Filter and Evaporator Coils.
iii) Wrong Setting on the Remote
Problem - Most A/C have 5 modes, Auto, Heat, Dehumidify, Cool and Fan. Sometimes,
we accidentally select the wrong mode. Another tell-tale sign is the lack of temperature
settings.
Possible Solution - Check the indicator on the remote to ensure that it is set on cool
mode. The typical symbol is a snowflake and may look like or . If it is not press the
mode button until the selector is next to the correct symbol.
iv) Low Refrigerant
Problem - Due to wear and tear, leaks may occur and the refrigerant leaks from the
system. The lack of refrigerant reduces the cooling efficiency of the A/C. This will usually
affect all units connected to the Condenser
Possible Solution - Cannot DIY, 1 of many probable causes if i) and ii) is done A/C still
not blowing cold air, needs professional assessment, adding refrigerant and sealing
leaks.
v) Defective Thermostat
A thermostat allows the A/C to measure the temperature and adjusts the necessary to
cool the room.
Problem : A defective thermostat means the A/C is unable to measure the temperature
correct and make the correct adjustments.
Possible Solution - Cannot DIY, needs professional assessment.
vi) Under-Powered A/C unit or Compressor
The A/C unit is rated based on cooling capacity, measured in British Thermal Units (BTU).
Most bed room A/Cs are 9000 BTU, which is enough to cool a bedroom approx. 400
square feet / 36 square meter (room size of 20ft x 20ft / 6m x 6m). However, some living
rooms are much larger and have higher ceilings, but only have 1 of the same powered
A/C unit as the bedrooms. As a result, the living room A/C unit is unable to blow out
enough cold air to cool the room sufficiently and efficiently.
Another possible issue is an under-powered Compressor. Similar to the A/C unit, the
compressor has a cooling capacity, also in BTU. Based on the forecasted way the A/C is
used and other reasons, the Compressor installed may not be capable of powering all
A/C units, it is connected to, to run at full capacity. Hence the A/C unit does not receive
enough cold air to cool the rooms.
Possible Solution - Cannot DIY, needs professional assessment and probably
replacement of A/C and Condenser (compressor is located within the Condenser and
usually, the whole unit is replaced)

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vii) Condenser Component Failures
There are multiple components that can fail in the Condenser, we will not cover them
here. 1 typical sign of a component in the Condenser failing is the A/Cs do not switch on
and the lights start blinking green, red or orange. Each colour and blinking pattern is
unique to the brand, model and may indicate a component failure or other issues.
Possible Solution - Cannot DIY, needs professional assessment.

c) Noisy / Rattling Sound

i) Loose Parts after Self Servicing
Problem - Rattling sound heard after putting back the removable Filter and closing cover.
Possible Solution - Check the various parts which were moved or replaced. Also check
that the cover has been properly closed
ii) Internal Component Failures
Problem - Rattling sound or noise heard immediately after turning on the A/C or after
running a while.
Possible Solution - The A/C has mechanical and moving parts, wear and tear will occur.
There are moving components that are mounted and the mountings could also be loose.
Cannot DIY, needs professional assessment, replacement of inner components may be
necessary.

d) A/C Unable to Power On

i) Power supply not switched on or Plug is loose
Problem - For various reasons (including forgetting to switch it back on after servicing),
sometimes the power gets switched off or the plug gets loose resulting in power to the
A/C and Compressor.
Possible Solution - Check and make sure the plug is attached properly and switch the
power back on.
ii) Fuse blown / Circuit Breaker Tripped
Problem - No power to unit.
Possible Solution - Check the Fuse / Circuit Breaker and reset it. If the fuse blows or
circuit breaker trips again, do not reset it again, professional assessment is required.
iii) Condenser Component Failures
Problem - After checking the above 2 pointers. The A/C is still unable to power on.
Possible Solution - Possible component failure in the Condenser, cannot DIY, needs
professional assessment.

e) A/C Light is Blinking and Does Not Turn On

When the A/C is switched on, there is typically a steady green light. This indicates that
it is working normally.
Problem: A/C does not come one and there is a blinking green, red or orange light. Each colour
and blinking pattern is unique to the brand and model. The blinking pattern and light usually
indicates a particular fault / issue. What it means can usually be found in the A/C technical manual
or online.
Possible Solution - Cannot DIY, needs professional assessment.

Conclusion
We hope that the information provided is useful. Whenever you have doubts or need
clarification on the information above, please contact us and we will do our best to answer you.
Please stay safe and take care yourself and family in this trying time.

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