How often should you service your AC?

For most homes, a split AC needs a professional service twice a year: once before summer and once after the monsoon. Units that run more than eight hours a day benefit from a quarterly clean.

Between services, rinse the filters every two weeks during heavy use. Clogged filters force the compressor to work harder, which raises your electricity bill and shortens the unit's life.

Watch for warning signs — water dripping indoors, ice on the pipes, or a musty smell — and book a check-up early rather than waiting for a breakdown in peak heat.