15 Aircon Problems in Singapore & How to Prevent Them

Singapore’s climate being tropical in nature and leaving the residents with a hot and humid air around, air conditioning systems are not a luxury but an essential part of daily life. However, like any mechanical system, aircons can develop issues over time thereby hindering their performance. It is very important to identify the issues and quickly address them to ensure a soothing ambience.

Let’s look at the commonly faced Aircon problems by Singapore residents –

1. Poor Cooling Efficiency/ Reduced Cooling Efficiency Of Aircon

Singaporeans often complains that the AC does not cool properly. There can be various factors behind poor cooling efficiency. Dirty air filters is a major factor as if the air filter is dirty, it blocks the airflow of your unit. This in turn can freeze up the condenser unit and limit the cooling power of the aircon. Also, low refrigerant levels, clogged coils, a malfunctioning compressor, gas leakage etc can lead to poor cooling efficiency.

Scheduling for a regular maintenance by aircon professionals, will help to identify these issues ahead of time. Technicians can detect and fix the underlying issues or replace the air filter as needed.

2. Aircon Water Leakage

Water leakage from your aircon unit is a common concern faced by many. Condensation and blocked or damaged drainage pipe mostly leads to leaking problem. The climatic condition of Singapore easily leads to condensation buildup. Pollutants, like dirt, dust, and fungus blocks the water to flow thereby clogging the drainage pipe. In such scenario, water from aircon tries to find the other way out, which in turn causes the AC to leak. Scheduling a routine maintenance where technician can clean the drainage pipe or replace it if needed will help prevent this issue.

3. Noisy Air Conditioner

People have reported different sounds coming from their aircon unit. Depending on the type of problem, your air conditioner will make variety of sounds like clicking, buzzing, grinding or rattling sounds which can be very disruptive and unsettling. An inspection by a professional, to determine whether the sound is produced because of a blower issue or a refrigerant leakage or faulty compressor or fan motor, is important in order to provide the service accordingly and to fix it.

4. Bad Odors or Foul Smell

It is a very common complain of Aircon users, that their AC is emitting foul odors or weird smell. Unpleasant odors might be the result of the excess moisture content within the unit. To top it, the humid climate of Singapore, makes the moisture content quite high in the air. Again, this high moisture content can lead to mold or bacterial growth within the unit causing foul odors which in turn can cause health issues. Regular cleaning or replacing the air filters will help to maintain indoor air quality. You can also appoint a professional cleaner to service the aircons at regular intervals which will keep the unit in good health and thus let you enjoy a clean air around.

5. High Energy Consumption

The inefficient functioning of air conditioning system is a very common cause of high electricity bills. Different issues like duct leaks, clogged filters, low refrigerant, dirty coils, aging components etc. makes the aircon inefficient thereby make it use a lot of electricity to operate. Naturally you see a sudden spike in your electricity bills. It is advised to do regular maintenance and cleaning which will help to improve the efficiency of the units and thus save you from paying high electricity bills.

6. Thermostat Related Issues

Thermostat may show different signs of malfunctioning like uneven cooling or heating, constant cycling, inaccurate temperature readings, failure to start or stop. When the AC is not working or turning on, you may try to check the batteries and change them if needed. If the batteries are in working condition, check the thermostat programming to make it work again. If your AC is still not turning on, you will need to check the circuit breaker as it might be tripped and a resetting would be needed. Proper calibration or replacement of the thermostat may be necessary to fix thermostat related issues and improve overall system performance. Be mindful to schedule the thermostat replacement with a reliable service provider.

7. Refrigerant Leaks or Gas Leakage

Refrigerant Leaks is another very commonly dealt issue faced by users. The Gas level can drop due to some leakage from where the gas escapes. Refrigerant is the core element for the cooling process, and a leakage can totally impair your air conditioner’s performance. Leakage means the temperature will vary and the unit will not perform accurately. This in turn results in low efficiency, high power consumption, coil freezing, damaged compressor etc.

Hence, if you suspect a refrigerant leak, it’s important to contact a professional technician immediately. Technician will locate and fix the leak and recharge the system by filling up the refrigerant as needed to ensure proper efficiency.

8. Outdoor Unit/Compressor Fan Issue

The major job of the outdoor fan is to diligently transfer the heat from your indoor to outdoor and hence it plays a very important role in determining proper functioning of the aircon unit of your house. If the compressor fan does not function properly, then the heat gets trapped within the outdoor unit thereby causing damage to the compressor. Many issues like belt issues, motor malfunctions, faulty contactor or a faulty capacitorcan result in such problem. Due to excessive use of AC in Singapore throughout the year, these issues are quite common. A professional should be consulted to check and perform the services needed at the earliest when such circumstances are faced.

9. Short Cycling

When the AC unit turns on and off more frequently without fully completing a cycle it is called Short Cycling. This premature turning off of your unit, causes the system to work even harder than it needs to cool your home at the set temperature. Naturally, this adds on to the wear and tear on the system, increases the energy consumption, leading to higher energy bills. If there are low refrigerant levels, an oversized unit, or a faulty thermostat can lead to short cycling. This issue should be addressed with immediate attention of a technician.

10. Frozen Evaporator Coils (part of the inside unit)

The evaporator coil can get frozen, when your air conditioner suffers restricted airflow in comparison to what is needed for operation. Insufficient airflow can be a result of blocked vents and ducts, dirty filters, faulty fan or a malfunctioning blower motor. You can try to address this problem yourself by turning the unit off which will allow the coils to thaw. You can then clean or replace the air filter as needed. However, consulting a technician would be better who can inspect and come up with the best solution needed.

11. Frozen Condenser Coils (part of the outside unit)

Again aircon users often complain that the outside unit is freezing. If there is insufficient air flow throughout the coils, the unit can freeze up. Also, few other AC problems like low coolant levels, low outside temperature, blower motor problems, etc can freeze up the system. This needs to be attended by aircon specialist and treated with the needed service accordingly.

12. Air-conditioner Fails To Turn On

This is one of the most common issues that people face specially on a very hot and humid day in Singapore. This can be a major nightmare. There can be different reasons for this problem.

It can be a power supply problem or broken/burnt wires or even a faulty thermostat. Though these are some of the common aircon problems, they need immediate attention from professionals. Professionals carry out a diagnosis to spot the root cause of the issue and fix it for you.

13. Low Level of Refrigerant or Low Gas Levels

Refrigerant is crucial for the cooling process. It removes the moisture and heat from the interior space and turns the hot air into a cooler one. Naturally, when the refrigerant level drops, it affects the cooling too. When the Gas level is low, the air that is blown over your AC coils will not cool properly anymore. This will lead the vents to circulate warm air and you will have an uncomfortable temperature around. The only solution to this problem is to get a gas top up or gas refill done by some aircon professional at the earliest so that your aircon can charge up it’s fuel.

14. Drainage Problem

When you see standing water around your Aircon, it might mean that the drain pipeline is most likely clogged. Dust, dirt or algae often clogs the drain pipeline. The condensate pan will not be able to empty itself because of this clogging and thus you will face collection of water outside around the unit or near the indoor unit. Moreover, this drainage issue might be a breeding ground for mold, mildew or fungus and bad odor. If the AC air filters are cleaned or replaced timely, it can easily prevent such blockage that leads to drainage problems. When you face such issues, do contact a technician who can help to flush the drain lines and fix this issue.

15. Electrical Problems

Having all electrical connections secured is very important for proper functioning of your aircon. If the aircon is malfunctioning or not turning on at all, there can be some electrical issues like faulty wiring or tripped circuit breakers. Such circumstances should be handled by a professional electrician so that the issue gets resolved and your house is secured from electrical mishaps.

In the hot weather of Singapore, an a well-functioning and efficient air conditioner is more of a necessity than a luxury. The aircon problems discussed above are the most common issues reported by users. However, it should be noted, that none of these issues are too much expensive if recognized and treated at the right time. Regular maintenance and timely repairs are essential for ensuring your aircon operates efficiently and reliably at all times. If any of these issues are faced, seek professional assistance for the benefit of your aircon and your household who will help you with the best solution.