How often should you service your AC in India? (and typical costs)
· 4 min read
A split or window AC in India should be serviced at least twice a year — once before summer in March or April, and once after the heavy-use months. Three times a year is sensible in dusty or coastal cities, or where the unit runs most of the year. A basic wet service costs roughly ₹450–₹700 per unit in the metros.
In most of India, a split or window AC should be serviced at least twice a year — once just before summer (March–April) and once after the heavy-use months. In dusty cities or with year-round use, three times a year is sensible.
What a routine service includes
A standard wet service is a clean, a gas-pressure check and a drain-line clear, and takes under an hour per unit. The filters and coils are the part that actually changes how well it cools and what it costs to run.
- Cleaning or washing the filters and cooling coils (the single biggest factor in cooling and electricity use).
- Checking gas/refrigerant pressure and topping up if low.
- Clearing the drain line so water doesn't leak indoors.
- Checking electrical connections and the compressor's current draw.
Typical costs (2026)
Budget roughly ₹450–₹700 per unit for a basic wet service in a metro, or ₹2,500–₹4,000 a year for a comprehensive AMC covering two visits and gas. Rates run lower in smaller cities and higher at the start of summer, when demand peaks.
- A basic wet service: roughly ₹450–₹700 per unit in most metros.
- Gas refill (R32/R410a): ₹1,500–₹3,500 depending on the type and quantity.
- A comprehensive AMC with two visits and gas: often ₹2,500–₹4,000 per year per unit.
Signs it needs service now, not later
Weak cooling, water dripping from the indoor unit, a musty smell at startup, or a jump in the electricity bill at unchanged usage — any one of these means book now rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.
- Cooling has dropped or the unit runs constantly without reaching the set temperature.
- Water dripping from the indoor unit.
- A musty smell when it starts, or unusual noise.
- A visible jump in your electricity bill during the same usage.
The easiest way to stay ahead of it is to record the date of each service and set the interval once — then you're reminded before the pre-summer rush when technicians are hardest to book.
Common questions
How often should an AC be serviced in India?
Twice a year as a minimum — once in March or April before the summer load, and once after the heavy-use months. Three times a year is sensible in dusty cities, in coastal air where corrosion is faster, or where the unit runs for most of the year.
How much does AC servicing cost in India?
Roughly ₹450–₹700 per unit for a basic wet service in the metros in 2026. A gas refill is a separate job at ₹1,500–₹3,500 depending on refrigerant type and quantity, and a comprehensive AMC covering two visits and gas typically lands between ₹2,500 and ₹4,000 per unit per year.
What happens if you don't service your AC?
Cooling drops and electricity use climbs first, because clogged filters and dirty coils make the compressor run longer to reach the same temperature. Left longer, a blocked drain line leaks water indoors, and low refrigerant pushes the compressor to work outside its design range — the expensive failure at the end of that chain.
Is an AC AMC worth it?
For an AC specifically, often yes: it needs two services a year regardless, and a comprehensive contract including gas and parts frequently costs less than paying per visit plus one out-of-warranty repair. Check whether the contract is comprehensive or labour-only before signing — that difference matters more than the price gap between providers.
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