Aircon not cold: checks you can do yourself
Daikin Singapore's FAQs list the common causes of an aircon not cooling: a dirty air filter, a blocked indoor or outdoor unit, a set temperature that is too high, open windows and doors, poor airflow direction, a remote not in cooling mode, and faulty parts. Work through them in this order.
- Check the mode. Set the remote to cooling mode. On fan mode, the unit can run without cooling, which feels like an aircon blowing warm air.
- Check the set temperature. If it is set too high, the unit stops cooling early. Lower it a few degrees below the room temperature.
- Close windows and doors. Open windows and doors let warm, humid air in faster than the room can cool. Close them.
- Check the filter. Switch off at the isolator and slide the filters out. If they look grey or clogged, clean your aircon filter and let it dry fully.
- Clear the indoor unit. Move curtains, shelves or tall furniture away from the indoor unit's air inlet and outlet.
- Clear the outdoor unit. Remove boxes, laundry racks, plants or covers that block the outdoor unit in your service yard or on the ledge.
- Set the airflow direction. If the louvres point at the ceiling or a wall, use the remote to direct the air into the room.
- Give it time. A hot room takes a while to reach the set temperature. Keep the room closed and wait before you judge the cooling.
- Check the outdoor unit is running. With cooling mode on, look and listen at the outdoor unit. If its fan is still and silent, call a technician.
What the signs usually mean
If the checks do not help, these signs can help you describe the problem to a technician. They are clues, not a diagnosis.
| Sign | What it can mean | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Ice on the pipes | Often a dirty filter, sometimes low refrigerant | Let it melt, clean the filter |
| Water leaking indoors | Can mean the unit is overdue for servicing | Arrange a service |
| Outdoor fan not running | Can mean an electrical fault or a failing part | Call a technician |
| Weak airflow | Often a dirty filter or a blocked inlet | Clean the filter, clear the space |
| One room not cold (multi-split) | Often a problem with that room's indoor unit | Check that unit's settings and filter |
Daikin says water dripping from the outdoor condensing unit is normal condensation. It also says skipping regular servicing reduces cooling performance, can clog the cooling coil and can lead to water leakage. If water is coming into the room, see aircon leaking water.
Low gas and leaks
Aircon gas, the refrigerant, circulates in a sealed system. It does not get used up the way fuel does, so low gas usually means a leak somewhere. A top-up can bring cooling back, but if the leak is not fixed, the problem returns. Before you agree to a top-up, ask the technician whether they checked for a leak and what fixing it would involve.
For what affects the final charge, see the aircon gas top-up cost guide.
Inspection and repair costs
A technician usually charges for an inspection first, then quotes the repair. The tables below show published rates from companies in the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published aircon repair and inspection rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published rates from 11 companies run from S$40 to S$100. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a market average or a quote.
See 21 published repair or inspection rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyzone Aircon Pte Ltd | Aircon diagnosis fee (residential) | S$27.25 per visit | skyzone.com.sg |
| Snowflake Services LLP | Diagnostic visit (waived if you proceed) | S$30 per visit | snowflakeaircon.sg |
| City Cooling Pte Ltd | Checking | S$35 per unit | citycoolingengr.com.sg |
| A-Max Aircon | Troubleshooting | S$40 per job | amaxaircon.com |
| Blossom Engineering & Construction Pte. Ltd. | Troubleshooting | S$40 per job | blossomaircon.com |
| Coolest Aircon Service Pte Ltd | Aircon Repair | S$40 per visit | coolestaircon.com.sg |
| Doctor Cool | Aircon repair or troubleshooting | S$40 per job | doctorcoolsg.com |
| SmartCool Aircon Servicing Singapore | Troubleshooting | S$40 to S$80 per job | smartcool.sg |
| Thetop Aircon Service | Aircon troubleshooting repair | From S$40 per job | thetop.com.sg |
| Goodcool | Aircon Troubleshooting | S$43.60 per job | bestairconservicing.com |
| Aircon Boon | Ttroubleshooting [sic] | S$50 per job | airconsg88.com |
| Sky Blue Aircon Engineering Pte. Ltd. | Troubleshooting & diagnostics visit (from; waived upon repair) | From S$50 per visit | skyblueaircon.com |
| Jiaxing Holdings Pte. Ltd. | Onsite inspection checking fee (waived if the repair proceeds within 1 month) | S$54.50 per visit | jiaxing-aircon.sg |
| Heng Aircon Pte Ltd | Diagnostic check | S$60 per visit | hengaircon.com |
| Same Day Aircon Servicing Repair | Repair troubleshooting (fix quoted separately) | From S$60 to S$80 per job | urgentairconservicing.sg |
| Vois Pte. Ltd. | Aircon troubleshooting | From S$60 per unit | vois.com.sg |
| Airple | Aircon Troubleshooting | S$60.60 per job | airple.com.sg |
| Lion City Air Conditioner Services | Gas troubleshooting | S$87.20 per job | lioncityaircon.sg |
| Joydom Engineering Pte. Ltd. | On-site troubleshooting visit | S$100 per job | joydom.com.sg |
| Cool-Aire Aircon Servicing | VRF Troubleshooting - On site survey / Transport charges | S$150 per visit | coolaire.com.sg |
| Homeone Aircon | Compressor replacement labour, split (<3hp), parts excluded | S$600 per unit | homeone.com.sg |
21 companies publish an aircon repair, diagnosis or inspection line. 11 of them price per job, with published rates from S$40 to S$100 as printed and S$43.60 in the middle. That middle figure is one company's published rate, not an average. Some are per visit or per unit diagnosis fees, and one is waived if you go ahead with the repair. These are inspection or call-out charges, not repair prices.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published gas top-up rates
For the most common unit (per unit), the lowest published rates from 17 companies run from S$30 to S$90. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a market average or a quote.
See 26 published gas top-up rates and sources
26 companies publish a gas top-up line. 17 of them price per unit, with lowest matching rates from S$30 to S$90 per unit as printed and S$60 in the middle. Of the other 9, 3 price per job, 1 per psig, 1 per kg and 4 print no unit. Several are printed as ranges, so the final charge depends on how much gas is needed.
NEXT STEP
See aircon companies in the directory with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare aircon companiesWhen the unit itself is the problem
If the checks, a service and a gas check do not restore cooling, the unit itself may be the problem.
- Age. Older units can lose cooling power and need parts more often.
- Wrong size for the room. A unit that is too small for the room can run for hours without reaching the set temperature.
- A failing compressor. The compressor in the outdoor unit drives the cooling. When it fails, cooling turns weak or stops, and the repair is often a major one.
For a large repair on an older unit, read whether to repair or replace an old aircon first. For a fault on a newer unit, compare companies that offer aircon repair.
If you replace it, check the NEA Energy Label. Household aircons sold in Singapore must carry it, and NEA advises buying only registered models. It rates efficiency from 1 tick (Low) to 5 ticks (Excellent) and shows an estimated annual energy cost based on 8 hours of use a day, though actual cost may vary.
Questions
Why is my aircon blowing air but not cold?
Usually the settings or the airflow. Check that the remote is on cooling mode, the temperature is low enough and the windows are closed. Then check the filter and clear the indoor and outdoor units. If cooling stays weak, call a technician.
Can a dirty filter stop an aircon from cooling?
Yes, it can. A clogged filter cuts the airflow, so less cool air reaches the room and the pipes can ice up. Switch off at the isolator, remove the filter, rinse it and let it dry fully.
Why is only one room not cold on a multi-split system?
Several indoor units share one outdoor unit. If the other rooms cool normally, the outdoor unit is probably working, so the problem often sits with that room's indoor unit. Check its settings and filter, then call a technician if it stays warm.
Is ice on the aircon pipe a problem?
It can be. Ice often points to restricted airflow from a dirty filter, and sometimes to low refrigerant from a leak. Switch the aircon off, let the ice melt and clean the filter. If it comes back, call a technician to check for a leak.
How much does it cost to check an aircon that is not cold?
In the HomezyPro directory, 21 companies publish an aircon repair, diagnosis or inspection line. The 11 that price per job publish rates from S$40 to S$100, as printed. One waives its fee if you go ahead with the repair. These are inspection charges, not repair prices.
Should I keep running an aircon that is not cooling?
Not for long. If ice forms, water leaks indoors or the outdoor unit stops, switch it off and call a technician. A faulty unit uses electricity without cooling the room and can make some faults worse. Try the simple checks first.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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