AC servicing vs deep cleaning: what is the difference?

What is included in routine servicing?

OneHub agrees the service scope for the equipment and site before attending. A normal visit includes removing and cleaning filters, fascia and louvres, checking electrical connections, cleaning and testing any condensate pump, checking drainage and looking for signs of refrigerant leaks. We also test heating and cooling operation where conditions allow. Outdoor equipment is checked where accessible, including airflow, mounting, insulation and visible condition.

Routine servicing is more than washing a filter. It also gives us an opportunity to identify problems such as poor drainage, abnormal noise, damage or a developing performance issue. A full indoor-unit strip-down is not automatically included.

General service or deep clean: what is included?

✓ Included — Not included in this service

Pumps are checked where fitted. Strip-down and component removal depend on the unit design and safe access. Heating and cooling tests are subject to operating conditions. Fault repairs, replacement parts and refrigerant work are quoted separately.

Did you know? Your AC can hold on to room odours

Air conditioners recirculate room air. Odours from cooking, tobacco smoke, perfumes, aftershaves and other cosmetics can be drawn into the unit, collect on internal surfaces and be released again during operation.

Moisture, dust and internal deposits can also contribute to musty smells. Damp coils, condensate trays or poor drainage may support mould and bacterial growth. A smell alone does not identify its cause: drainage odours can also travel back through an incorrectly positioned drain.

Our service includes deodorising after cleaning where a suitable treatment is appropriate for the equipment. We use products and methods compatible with the unit and their instructions. Deodorising can help reduce lingering smells, but does not replace cleaning away deposits or correcting a drainage problem. Persistent odours may need a deeper clean or further investigation.

Do not spray perfume, household air freshener or general-purpose cleaner into the AC. Regular filter care and professional cleaning help control the build-up that can contribute to odours.

When is extra cleaning worthwhile?

A filter may look clean while the fan or condensate tray still carries build-up. Persistent odours, visible deposits or a history of heavy use can justify inspection for a deeper clean. An odour alone does not prove mould, and cleaning does not cure every cause of poor cooling or leaking.

A deep clean should be recommended because of the condition found, not automatically sold at every visit. We explain the proposed access, components, protection and additional cost before proceeding.

What does this look like on a real job?

Our Sidcup nursery project shows a cassette opened for cleaning, including filters, coils and condensate trays, before reassembly and performance checks. The photographs show the actual work rather than a generic clean-unit image.

• See the Sidcup nursery deep-clean project →
• Explore OneHub deep-clean services →

Common questions

Is a deep clean included in the standard service price?

Not automatically. Extra strip-down cleaning is assessed and agreed separately, with its scope and cost confirmed first.

Will a deep clean fix an AC fault?

It can address contamination-related airflow or drainage problems, but electrical, refrigerant and component faults need diagnosis and may require separate repairs.