With the hot weather, air conditioner installation and maintenance services are in high demand.

At noon on May 5th, the sun was blazing hot, but Duong Van Tai and his team of air conditioner maintenance and installation technicians were still working.

A team of air conditioner maintenance technicians worked through lunchtime. Photo: HT

According to Mr. Duong Van Tai, maintaining and cleaning all the air conditioners for each order, especially in high-rise buildings or apartment complexes, requires a team of 2-3 technicians. Besides preparing specialized tools and equipment such as water sprayers, ladders, and personal protective equipment, service providers must also be proficient and knowledgeable about the technical specifications and operating mechanisms of various air conditioner models.

In addition, service workers must be willing to overcome difficulties and be careful and meticulous in their work to avoid damage and maintain the quality of the machine. To thoroughly clean an air conditioner, besides cleaning the cooling unit located inside the rooms, the technician also cleans the heat exchanger (also known as the outdoor unit) installed outdoors.

Air conditioner maintenance requires careful attention to detail. Photo: HT

"For families living in low-rise buildings or houses with awnings where they can climb up to access the air conditioner's heat exchanger, cleaning will be faster, about 30-40 minutes per unit. If the units are installed in high-rise buildings or apartment complexes, we have to set up scaffolding, use ropes to hang ourselves, and climb, which is quite strenuous and sometimes dangerous, in order to complete the 'order' while ensuring quality," Mr. Tai said.

Nguyen Van Minh, a professional air conditioner maintenance and installation technician, added that although the work is quite strenuous during the hot season, requiring climbing to high floors and working under the scorching sun, it is also a busy time, and those in the profession earn a higher income than usual, so everyone tries their best to work hard.

Outdoor radiator maintenance technician. Photo: HT

The service fee for cleaning and maintaining each air conditioner is 150,000 VND, while the installation cost for a new air conditioner ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 VND depending on the characteristics and "difficulty" of the installation location. The team of technicians said that if installing in a high-rise building, homeowners usually have to pay extra for additional pipes, drainage pipes, and to help the team rent installation equipment, such as scaffolding.

However, nowadays, the cost of installing air conditioners is usually contracted out by electronics and home appliance retailers to service shops, or installed by technicians; it is rare for customers to hire a private service for this purpose.

Each day, the team of technicians receives approximately 6-8 air conditioner maintenance orders. Photo: HT

Currently, in Vinh City and the centers of districts and towns, there are many shops selling electronic and refrigeration equipment; there are also shops specializing in installation, repair, and maintenance of electronic and refrigeration equipment to meet consumer needs. Most households own one to two, or even more than three air conditioners depending on their needs and financial capabilities. At the beginning of the hot season, the demand for these machines increases dramatically, leading to a surge in maintenance and cleaning services.

With the start of the hot season, besides the bustling market for electrical appliances, air conditioner maintenance and installation services are also attracting many customers. "On peak days, we have to work three shifts, installing and maintaining about three orders each time. On days with more than 10 orders, we negotiate with customers to work at night," said Mr. Duong Van Tai.