Air conditioning servicing in Ilford

What does an air conditioning service include?

Cleaning, testing and a written record, outside and in.

Keeping those readings means next year's visit can show whether anything has drifted.

Is a leak check a legal requirement for my unit?

For most new single-room R32 splits, no. GOV.UK requires leak checks once a system's refrigerant reaches 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, worked out as the weight of gas in tonnes times its global warming potential (GWP).

GOV.UK's example for the 5-tonne line is 2.4kg of R410A, whose GWP is 2,088. A typical new 2.5kW split runs on R32 instead, GWP 675: Mitsubishi Electric's MSZ-LN25VG2 holds 0.80kg, which its data sheet gives as 0.540 tonnes, about a tenth of the line. Reaching 5 tonnes would take roughly 7.4kg of R32 (our sum). R410A systems holding 2.4kg or more, which usually means larger or multi-room systems, are over it, and an automatic leak detection system doubles the interval. The outdoor unit's rating plate shows the refrigerant and charge, and GOV.UK puts the duty on whoever uses the equipment. Sources: GOV.UK, leak checks; GOV.UK, CO2 equivalent; GOV.UK, global warming potentials; Mitsubishi Electric.

How often should a system be serviced?

Once a year suits most homes, ideally in spring so the system is ready before the first hot spell. Busy shops, salons and kitchens clog filters quicker, and a six-monthly visit often suits them. If the warranty terms set an interval, follow them, since some warranties depend on it. Between visits, rinse the filters yourself every few weeks of heavy use.

What does a service cost nationally?

Checkatrade's May 2026 guide gives £70 to £120 per unit for a one-off service. That is a national figure, not our price. The number of units, how easily we can reach them, whether the system is commercial and whether a legal leak check is due all move it, so tell us what you have and where it sits and we quote before booking. See Ilford air conditioning, from survey to service for how we work across the area. Source: Checkatrade.

Who is allowed to work on the refrigerant side?

Only a technician with the right F-gas qualification. With Category 1 they may do anything; Category 2 is limited to systems under 3kg; Category 4 is for leak checks that leave the circuit closed. A firm doing this on other people's equipment must also hold company certification from Refcom, F-Gas Register (Quidos) or Bureau Veritas, which runs for three years at a time. Cleaning filters needs neither. Ask any firm for both before they open your system, and see the F-gas check guide for how to confirm them. Sources: GOV.UK, F-gas qualifications; GOV.UK, company certification.