Why regular air conditioner cleaning is necessary
A split system pumps hundreds of cubic meters of air through itself daily. Together with the air, dust, plant pollen, poplar fluff, and pet hair get inside the housing. Some contaminants settle on fine filters, but fine particles penetrate deeper — onto the fan impeller and heat exchanger.
The humid environment inside the indoor unit during cooling creates conditions for mold and bacteria to grow. Accumulated contamination worsens heat exchange, reduces equipment performance, and increases the load on the compressor. As a result, the device consumes more electricity, and its service life is reduced.
Signs that the unit needs servicing
The need for service work can be identified by several characteristic signs. If you detect at least one of them, it is recommended to call a technician for diagnostics and preventive maintenance.
- Appearance of an unpleasant, musty, or damp odor immediately after turning on the split system.
- Reduced cooling or heating efficiency at standard temperature settings.
- Unusual noises, crackling, or vibrational humming during compressor or fan operation.
- Dripping or leaking water from the indoor unit housing into the room due to a clogged drain tube.
- Frost or ice formation on the copper refrigerant pipes and service valves of the outdoor unit.
Frequency and stages of service
The standard maintenance schedule for household air conditioners is once a year. The optimal time for the procedure is spring, before persistent heat sets in. If the equipment is used intensively or operates for heating during the winter period, cleaning is carried out twice a year — in spring and autumn.
Comprehensive service includes work with both units of the system:
- Disassembly of the indoor unit housing, washing, and antibacterial treatment of filters, fan impeller, and evaporator with special solutions.
- Flushing and cleaning of the drain pan and drain line under pressure to prevent blockages.
- Cleaning the outdoor unit heat exchanger from poplar fluff, outdoor dust, and dirt.
- Checking the operating pressure in the system and measuring the temperature of the outgoing airflow.
Cost of cleaning, refilling, and installation
Arctica Service provides fixed rates for service and installation work in Chisinau and throughout Moldova. Below are the current prices for basic operations.
| Type of service / Room area | Cost (lei) |
|---|---|
| Cleaning of both units (indoor + outdoor) | 1 000 |
| Equipment diagnostics | 350 |
| Refill (labor) | 350 |
| Freon R32 (per 100 grams) | 200 |
| Air conditioner installation up to 35 m² | 1 800 |
| Air conditioner installation 40–55 m² | 2 200 |
| Air conditioner installation 60–80 m² | 2 400 |
| Air conditioner installation 80–100 m² | 2 800 |
Working conditions of Arctica Service in Moldova
Arctica Service sells and installs air conditioners throughout Moldova. Specialists visit sites at an agreed time, and standard installation is completed in one working day. Within Chisinau, calling a technician for a survey and work scope assessment is free of charge.
A basic 2-year warranty is provided for all supplied equipment and installation work performed. By passing annual maintenance and cleaning by Arctica Service specialists, the installation warranty is extended to 5 years.
Payment for services and equipment occurs after installation is completed and system operation is verified. An option to arrange installments via the iute payment system is available for clients.
In short
- Air conditioner maintenance is recommended at least once a year before the start of the season.
- Comprehensive cleaning of both units at Arctica Service costs 1 000 lei, diagnostics — 350 lei.
- Annual equipment cleaning by Arctica Service specialists extends the installation warranty up to 5 years.
- Payment for completed work is made after installation; iute installments are available.