Aircon Servicing During Circuit Breaker

Tips

The Singapore COVID Circuit Breaker is an emergency measure announced by the Singapore government on 9 March 2020 in response to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The circuit breaker suspends all incoming tourist visas, restricts the entry of long-term pass holders and has encouraged residents and tourists alike to stay indoors as much as possible.

This regulation has put several activities and appointments on hold, with only highly essential ones allowed to be conducted. For a time, this caused air conditioners to be left unchecked due to the risks of being exposed to people outside of your home bubble. Aircon services are probably one of the many halted services during the first few months of the circuit breaker period. It felt too risky to book for an aircon service when everyone was still figuring out how much outside exposure we were willing to change.

Here, we answer all your pressing questions about booking an aircon service during a pandemic and what you can do when aircon servicing is still not possible in your area.

Can I repair my aircon during a circuit breaker?

Fortunately, based on the latest released list of permitted activities/operations during circuit breaker, emergency and essential services can be done during the circuit breaker period. Aircon services, including maintenance of air conditioners and repairs, are also under this category. However, you may need to look for service technicians that have already complied with the safe management measures requirements of the government since they will be the only ones who will be allowed to carry out aircon repair and other related services.

The downside, though, is that you are likely to encounter a shortage of aircon technicians during the circuit breaker because they, too, are dealing with a long list of backlogs and requests since the stricter restrictions were imposed in early March. This can be quite a challenge if you have more pressing problems with your air conditioner. Circuit breaker proves to be a good time to get to know your aircon unit better so you can find easy DIY solutions to the most common problems with air conditioners. This can also buy you enough time while waiting for the next available aircon servicing company or technician.

Aircon Servicing During Covid 19 Circuit Breaker

If you really need to book the services of aircon specialists, here are some safety measures that you need to be aware of to protect you and your aircon technician.

Book From Accredited Companies Only

Not only are you guaranteed great customer service during this time of the heightened alert, but you can also be sure that they have the capacity to comply with all the safety regulations put in place by the government. Like you, these guys deem aircon service important, too, so they make sure that there is no disruption in the services they offer.

Maintain good ventilation before and after service

Indoor air can be easily contaminated with the virus and other pollutants, and by providing sufficient ventilation, you will be able to reduce air transmission inside your house or office. In fact, it is also best to wait a few hours before going back inside once the aircon servicing is done. Using disinfectant sprays before and after the AC servicing is also recommended.

Offer to pay online when possible

This reduces your need to interact with people outside of your bubble directly. It’s best to ask for a complete breakdown of the charges for the service you require. Of course, feel free to include extra payment for the great service that they will offer. Remember that they are also front liners during these circuit break periods.

DIY Aircon Servicing

Aircon emergencies in the absence of an aircon service provider can be easily resolved by knowing how to perform DIY aircon maintenance and repair. Here’s a guide on what will help you through your aircon problems without having to call for aircon service:

Aircon Leaking

Aircon leaks, especially water, are pretty normal and should not be cause for alarm, especially if there are no other issues in your air-con. If your air conditioning unit is leaking water, you should first turn it off and unplug it. If there’s a lot of water on the floor, use a mop or towel to soak it up. Once the area is dry, you can start repairing the air conditioner.

Here are some simple steps on how to fix leaking air conditioners at home:

Make sure all electrical parts are dry before handling them so as not to cause electrocution
Locate where the leakage occurred and tighten the screws or bolts
If the leakage is at the joints, apply silicone sealant
If there is a crack on the aircon casing, use a sealant to cover it up

Noisy Aircon Problem

Is the noise coming from the compressor? If yes, please check if any of the following is true for you:

The unit is dirty – a build-up of dirt and dust on the condenser evaporator coil will make your aircon work harder and emit more noise. Cleaning them every three months will help reduce the noise levels.
The fan blades are bent or blocked – if they’re not spinning freely, they’ll create noise as they move through the air. Straightening or cleaning them may solve the problem.
Something caught in the compressor – a foreign object (like a leaf) could be blocking it and causing it to overheat, which is noisy. Try removing whatever is blocking it.

Aircon Bad Smell

A lot of things could cause Aircon a bad smell, but fortunately, many of which you can do at home. One of the first steps is to remove and clean the air filter of your AC unit. As it gathers more dust and other particles, it could cause a musty smell in your vent. Moisture build-up is also another cause of aircon smell. So it’s good to check whether your trap floor is already clogged because it’s one of the signs of moisture build-up, which leads to the growth of moulds and mildew.

When you finally have the time to have checked by a professional technician, it’s best to request an AC chemical wash servicing to address all possible causes of the bad smell.

Key Takeaways

Remember that these steps are for minor aircon problems only or quick response before getting an appointment for your needed service. Social Distancing is also highly encouraged even if air conditioner services are already allowed during circuit breaker.