5 Signs Your Aircond Needs a Chemical Wash (Don't Ignore These!)

Your aircond gives you warning signs when it needs attention. The question is: are you paying attention?

You know how the heat in Kepong just seems to stick to everything by midday? It’s that heavy, humid blanket that makes your AC unit the most important appliance in the house. But when that unit starts acting up, ignoring it doesn’t just mean a sweaty afternoon.

From our experience servicing thousands of older units across KL, delaying maintenance leads to three things: expensive repairs, shocking TNB bills, and health issues that linger.

Here are 5 signs that scream “I need a chemical wash!”

Sign #1: Musty or Sour Smell

The Problem: When you turn on your AC and get hit with a musty, moldy, or sour smell, that’s bacteria and mold talking.

Why It Happens: Moisture in your AC creates the perfect environment for Aspergillus mold and bacterial biofilm (a slimy, jelly-like substance) to grow on the evaporator coils.

We see this often in units that haven’t been deep-cleaned in over a year. A standard general service only wipes the surface, leaving this biological buildup deep inside the fins.

Health Risk: Breathing in these contaminants can cause:

• Respiratory issues
• Allergic reactions
• Persistent headaches
• Worsening asthma symptoms

The Fix: A chemical wash uses a strong alkaline solution to dissolve the biofilm and kill the mold at the root. It eliminates the source of the smell instead of just masking it with fragrance.

Sign #2: Weak Airflow

The Problem: Your AC is running, but the breeze feels weak even when you crank the fan speed to “High.”

The Insider Test: Grab a flashlight and shine it into the air vent where the cool air comes out. Look at the rolling fan blade inside. If you see a thick, fuzzy grey coating on the blades, you need a chemical wash immediately.

Why It Happens: That fuzzy coating is heavy grime. It adds weight to the fan blower, making it spin slower and moving less air.

What Gets Worse:

• The compressor strains under the extra load.
• The room takes 20-30 minutes longer to cool down.
• Your electricity usage spikes as the unit works overtime.

Sign #3: Not Cooling Like Before

The Problem: Your AC runs constantly, but the room never gets crisp. You find yourself setting the temperature to 18°C just to feel what 24°C used to feel like.

Why It Happens: Dirty evaporator coils act like a winter jacket for your aircond. A layer of dust and grime insulates the refrigerant, preventing it from absorbing heat from your room.

The Math:

• Dirty coils reduce cooling efficiency by roughly 30-40%.
• This pushes your energy usage into TNB’s higher tariff blocks (up to 57.10 sen/kWh).
• You effectively pay “penalty rates” for air that isn’t even cold.

The Fix: Chemical wash removes that insulating layer. We consistently see cooling capacity restored to near-factory levels after a proper dismantle-and-wash service.

Sign #4: Water Dripping Inside

The Problem: Water is dripping from your indoor unit onto your wall, parquet floor, or furniture.

Why It Happens:

• The “Jelly” Clog: Algae and dirt mix to form a slime that blocks the drainage pipe.
• Dirty Coils: Water doesn’t flow down the coils smoothy; it splashes off the dirt.
• Ice Formation: Restricted airflow causes the coils to freeze and then melt all at once.

The Damage:

• Permanent water stains on expensive plaster ceilings.
• Warped parquet flooring (common in older KL homes).
• Mold growth spreading to your curtains and walls.
• Potential short circuits if water hits the PCB board.

The Fix: A chemical wash flushes the entire drainage system with pressure and chemicals, clearing the “jelly” that a normal vacuum service can’t budge.

Sign #5: Filter Gets Dirty Too Quickly

The Problem: You washed your mesh filters last week, but they are already coated in grey dust again.

Why It Happens: This is called “The Bypass Effect.” When the internal components are choked with dirt, the air pressure inside the unit changes.

Dust and debris that are stuck inside the blower and coils get dislodged and blown back onto the filter from the inside. A clean filter in a dirty system is fighting a losing battle.

What It Means: Your AC is circulating contaminated air. The filter is catching what it can, but the bulk of the dust is cycling through your home.

Chemical Wash vs. General Service: What’s the Difference?

Many homeowners think a “General Service” is enough. Here is the data-driven comparison to help you choose.

Feature	General Service (Normal)	Chemical Wash (Deep Clean)
Process	Vacuum & wipe filters/cover.	Full dismantle of indoor unit.
Cleaning Agent	Water & soapy cloth.	Alkaline chemical solution.
Target	Surface dust & filters.	Deep grime, biofilm & mold.
Airflow Impact	Minimal improvement.	Restores 95-100% airflow.
Frequency	Every 3-4 months.	Once a year (or when signs appear).
Smell Removal	Temporary masking.	Eliminates the source.

Bonus Signs to Watch For

• Ice on the coils: This usually means airflow is blocked by dirt.
• Short cycling: The AC turns on and off frequently because the compressor is overheating.
• Sudden bill jumps: If your usage didn’t change but your bill rose by RM50+, check your AC efficiency.
• Morning congestion: Waking up with a stuffy nose often points to poor air quality from the AC.

The True Cost of Waiting

Delaying a necessary chemical wash is expensive.

Every month you wait:

• Electricity costs increase by 15-25% due to inefficiency.
• The compressor life shortens by months due to strain.
• Mold spores continue to multiply in your bedroom air.

The cost of a chemical wash (typically RM120 - RM200) is often recovered in just 3-4 months of electricity savings.

What Happens During Chemical Wash

1. Dismantle - We carefully take apart the indoor unit (casing, water tray, blower).
2. Protection - We cover your walls and furniture with canvas to prevent splashes.
3. Chemical Application - A specific alkaline solution is applied to the coils and blower to break down biofilm.
4. High-Pressure Flush - We rinse everything thoroughly to remove all chemical residue and dirt.
5. Drainage Clear - The drainage pipe is flushed to prevent future leaks.
6. Gas Check - Refrigerant levels are checked and topped up if needed (often FREE).
7. Test Run - We run the unit for 15 minutes to ensure it’s cold and blowing strong.

When to Act

If you noticed 1-2 signs: Schedule a chemical wash within the next 2 weeks.

If you noticed 3+ signs: Book immediately. Your unit is suffering, and your bills are likely higher than they should be.

If you’re not sure: Contact us and describe your situation. We’ll give you honest advice on whether you need a simple service or a full wash.

AC Service Pro Chemical Wash

• Complete deep cleaning with full dismantling.
• FREE gas top-up included.
• Same-day service available in Kepong & KL.
• 30-day workmanship warranty.
• Transparent pricing (No hidden “transport fees”).

Don’t wait until your AC breaks down in the middle of a heatwave. Book your chemical wash today!