As the familiar greyish-brown shroud of haze settles over Singapore, a collective sense of unease follows. For every family, especially those with young children or elderly parents, the number one priority becomes protecting the air they breathe.
The first instinct is always the same: rush indoors, seal the windows and doors, and turn on the air-conditioner. But as you sit inside your cool room, a critical question remains: are you truly safe from the harmful pollutants outside? Can your aircon actually filter out the haze?
As experienced technicians, we believe it’s our job to give you the honest answer. A standard aircon is a crucial tool in your defence, but not for the reason you might think. This guide will explain how your aircon really works against the haze and the essential steps you must take to make your home a true safe haven.
The Hard Truth: Your Aircon Filter is a “Mosquito Net”
The most common misconception about a standard split-unit aircon is that it brings in fresh air from outside. It doesn’t. It’s a recirculation machine—it simply cools the air that’s already inside your room over and over again.
The only “cleaning” that happens is when that air passes through its filter. But the standard, thin mesh filter in most aircons is like a mosquito net. Its main job is to stop large particles like hair and dust bunnies from clogging the machine’s internal parts.
The real danger in the haze are the tiny, invisible PM2.5 particles. Using our analogy, if a human hair is a three-lane highway, a PM2.5 particle is like a motorcycle—small enough to weave through the mosquito net and get deep into your lungs. A standard filter offers almost zero protection against these harmful particles.
So, your aircon’s primary benefit is containment. By keeping you cool, it allows you to seal your home and prevent more haze from getting in. But it does very little to clean the polluted air already trapped inside.
The “Lung Infection” Danger in a Dirty Aircon
During the haze, your aircon works overtime. The fine PM2.5 particles that get past the filter don’t just disappear. They mix with the moisture inside your unit, creating a sticky, grimy film deep inside the coils and blower. This dark, damp environment is the perfect breeding ground for mould and bacteria.
Think of it this way: if your filters are clogged, your aircon can’t “breathe.” If the coils behind the filter are coated in this grime, it’s like your aircon has a lung infection. Every time you switch it on, you’re not just circulating haze particles; you’re blowing a cocktail of mould spores and bacteria into your sealed room.
Your #1 Defence: A Clean Aircon is a Healthy Aircon
Since a standard filter isn’t enough, the single most important action you can take during the haze season is aggressive maintenance.
1. Your Weekly Haze Ritual: Clean Your Filters During periods of haze, you must clean your aircon’s primary mesh filters far more often than usual.
- Frequency: Clean them at least once every one to two weeks.
- Method: Turn off the power. Gently vacuum the loose dust off the filter first, then wash it under a gentle stream of water. Crucially, let it air dry completely before reinstalling it. A wet filter is a mould magnet.
2. When to Call for a Chemical Wash Sometimes, a simple filter clean isn’t enough. If you notice any of these red flags, your aircon’s “lungs” are already infected, and it’s time for a professional deep cleaning.
- A musty or foul smell. This is the most definitive sign of mould growth.
- Weak airflow, even with a clean filter.
- Water leaking or dripping from the indoor unit.
- A sudden spike in your electricity bill.
A Chemical Wash is the definitive solution. Our technicians use specialized, safe chemicals to thoroughly flush out the stubborn grime, mould, and biological jelly from the internal coils, fan barrel, and drain pipe—restoring your aircon’s health and the quality of the air you breathe.
The Ultimate Strategy: Upgrade and Maintain
While a dedicated HEPA air purifier is the gold standard for filtration, you can significantly improve your defence with your aircon.
- If buying new: Choose a modern 5-tick system from brands like Panasonic, Daikin, or Mitsubishi Electric, which often come with advanced, built-in PM2.5 filtration technology.
- For existing units: Proactive maintenance is key. A clean, well-serviced aircon will always perform better and provide cleaner air than a dirty one.
The Vedha Solution: Breathe Easier This Haze Season
Your family’s health is your top priority. Don’t let a dirty aircon compromise it.
- Immediate Relief: If your aircon shows any of the red-flag symptoms, book a Vedha Chemical Wash. We will thoroughly flush out all trapped pollutants, mould, and bacteria, ensuring your home is a clean-air sanctuary.
- Long-Term Protection: Prepare for the haze season with our Aircon Maintenance Contracts. Regular servicing keeps your system running efficiently and hygienically all year round, so it’s ready to protect you when you need it most.
Don’t wait for the haze to get worse. Call Vedha Construction at 96540044 today to schedule your service and protect your family’s health.
We specialize in Aircon installation, repair, and service. We have all type & model of recon compressor, full set & fancoil. Our technicians are highly proficient in their respective field and repairs and fixes aircon of various brands.
