REPAIR OR REPLACE FAULTY AC PCB?
What Is An Aircon Printed Circuit Board (PCB)?
A Printed Circuit Board, or PCB for short, is like the motherboard or central processing unit of a computer. These devices perform essential functions that enable a system to operate.
Circuit components such as resistors, capacitors, transistors and others are wired together on a greenish board called a printed circuit board (PCB). Conductive trucks are used to make connections between electronic parts. They are fabricated from a copper layer and covered with a fiberglass silkscreen.
A printed circuit board's major job is to incorporate multiple components that work together to carry out a particular instruction, data transfer or compute the output to manage the alternating current.
What Causes PCB Damages In An Air Conditioner?
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) and other environmental factors may severely damage PCB circuitry. Remember that even a little ESD may cause PCB component damage. The following are other frequent causes of damage to AC PCBs:
During installation, a technician accidentally connects the electrical wiring incorrectly, which results in a higher voltage going into the AC PCB.
Short circuit. This is by far the most common reason why PCBs are damaged. This can also be caused by incorrect installation.
Bugs like ants and cockroaches are small. We all know that bugs like cockroaches like to hang out in warm places. So, they often hide in electrical and electronic devices that generate heat. Because of this, if a bug gets into the circuit board, it may damage it.
For outdoor units, most PCBs get damaged as the system is exposed to heat, moisture and dust.
Age is another common factor that will cause PCBs to break down. Everything in the world has a limited lifespan, and unfortunately, most PCB components do too. Similar to all electrical and electronic components, the lifespan of a PCB can range from a few months to several years.
Should PCB Be Fixed Or Replaced?
PCBs can be fixed. But doing so requires expert diagnostic, repair equipment and technical know-how. Some electronic components, however, need a more controlled environment like a repair lab to be repaired properly. A test of the PCB's functionality after repairs is required. The above makes fixing PCB costly. As such, damaged PCBs are usually replaced rather than repaired.
If a PCB fails, it is best to replace it rather than try to fix it. This is because you run the risk of incurring additional costs associated with the hiring of a qualified professional and the lengthier repair time required as mentioned above.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace An AC PCB?
The cost of replacing a defective PCB is determined by a variety of variables; including the type, brand and year of the AC unit. The cost will also differ depending on whether it is new or used. A PCB of the current model air conditioner unit will cost a few hundred dollars (depending on the above mentioned factors). Due to the costs involved, an alternative will be to explore used PCBs instead. However, do note that used PCBs do not come with warranty. As such you may run the risk of the PCB breaking down soon after its replacement.
Other Enquires
Do click the button below if you are facing and similar issues and you have questions for other Aircon related issues, as our friendly and kind customer service team are always ready to help you with any enquiry or advice.
Importance of Aircon Servicing
Frequent scheduled servicing would ensure that your aircon units are operating at its maximum efficiency and is effective in cooling your homes.
Air-conditioning is a luxury that we take for granted and a necessity and mainstay in our daily lives. Our Xool Professionals recommend that home-owners service their aircon once every 3 months. Our experts break it down into 2 key reasons:
Efficiency:
The most important step to ensuring continued efficiency of your aircon, is to replace or clean the aircon filters routinely. Through frequent usage, the system’s efficiency is reduced significantly as filters are clogged and these dirty filters block airflow. You could possibly lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption between 5% to 15% if the issue is addressed early, and a replacement of the dirty filter with a clean one is done. Filters may need more attention if your air conditioner is in constant use (more important if you have petsin your homes!).
Another key component of the aircon is the condenser coil. Its main function is to make sure that hot air gets removed. The air conditioner’s condenser coil collects dirt over the period of usage. A clean filter is essential, however, the filter does not completely prevent the evaporator coil from collecting dust and dirt. Dust and dirt will reduce airflow and form a thick insulating coat over the coil- thus significantly reducing its ability to absorb heat. It is important to check your aircon coils routinely!
Effectiveness:
Neglecting necessary maintenance would lead to decline in the performance of your air-conditioning unit while increasing the amount of electricity and energy use and monthly electricity bills. Regular servicing could also help to extend the lifespan of your unit. With a well-maintained unit, you can be certain that the possibilities of malfunctions and a total unit replacement is reduced.
In addition, while having air conditioning helps to dehumidify your homes and reduce extra indoor moisture, it is important to note that Singapore has a high humidity range of 65% - 96%. This high level of humidity sets the perfect condition for mould to grow and prosper. Mould could grow inside air conditioners, which also means the spores would have a direct route into each room of your house. These mould spores can cause mild/serious health issues such as running nose, increased asthma attacks, etc. Regular maintenance of your aircon unit is important as it prevents mould from growing in your aircon and allows it to do its job effectively and protect your health and wellness!
If you want to protect your wellness while maximising the full usage capacity of your air conditioning units, do not hesitate to give us a call or book an appointment with us online. Our highly trained and experienced technicians will be happy to help you diagnose and troubleshoot your aircon.
COVID-19 Update - 1st June
Dear Customers and Friends,
1st June 2020 Update: MTI has provided guideline for aircon services to resume from the 2nd of June onwards. This is of course with safe distancing and precautions in place. We thank all our customers and friends for their understand and cooperation in these difficult times.
For your safety and the safety of our technicians, we have implemented the following and will continue with these steps for future services:
In line with our principles, our technicians do not live in high-density foreign worker dormitories. They are housed in private accommodation with 6 technicians per home only.
Each of our technicians has been educated and briefed on the risk and understand that we have a duty to do our part by providing reliable home comfort.
Our technicians have access to face masks, anti-bacterial cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, adequate uniforms, and other hygiene products.
Daily temperature readings
Anti-bacterial cleaning solution will be used to treat all air filters we wash and service
Physical distancing of 1 meter during their service and transit
Limit cash payments, we accept credit card payment and Paynow
Limit after-hour activities to essential needs only
Implement any other MOH regulations and guidelines as they become available.
No change in pricing and we will not be increasing fees during these hard times. You can be assured of our highest standards.
We ask that all customer play their part to keep us safe too:
We need your help to keep our technicians healthy so they are able to continue providing services for our community
Please delay and reschedule services if you or your family has recently traveled(and on Stayhome Notice) or may have been exposed to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) or may be showing any flu like symptoms.
Please stay safe, stay home and help out your fellow friends and neighbours in this time of uncertainty and need. We are always looking for ways to provide help and services to our local community. If there is any way we could be of assistance please feel free to reach out to us.
Ray and the Xool Aircon Team
https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg/essentialservices/construction/
Best In Singapore!
We’re so humbled to see us listed in Best In Singapore website! Thank you to all of our loyal customers for your support! We are delighted to continue to be one of the best aircon servicing company in Singapore!
https://www.bestinsingapore.co/best-aircon-servicing-companies-singapore/
Singapore Website Awards 2018 - xool.sg is site of the month for May!
Proud to share with all our friends that xool.sg have been awarded Singapore Website Awards(SWA) 2018 site of the month for May 2018 - E-commerce category!
SWA 2018 seeks to recognize and reward the outstanding performance, talent and effort of the best web developers, web designers and web agencies and at the same time, encourage creativity, sharing and improvement of overall web design quality in Singapore.
We are glad to be recognised but the satisfaction is in knowing that we are providing our customers with the best online experience! This doesn't mean we are done with improvements though, we feel that we are just getting started and there is so much more to do.
Do you like our site? If so, we'd appreciate your vote for The Public's Favourite Website Award 2018! Head on over to https://www.swa.sg/2018/may/xool-aircon-experts to vote. Thanks for the support and love :)
SWA 2018 website screenshot