AC servicing in Qatar: costs and when to book

Air conditioning is most of your summer electricity bill. Kahramaa says it is 50–75% of home use. Qatar's dust clogs filters and coils quickly, so a unit that isn't serviced cools less and costs more to run. The trick is timing: from July to August, units run most of the day and technicians are fully booked. Book in March or April, before the heat, and again around September.

Before you start

• Count your units and their type: split (wall), window, or central/ducted
• Note any problems: weak cooling, water dripping, ice on the pipes, noise, smell
• Check your lease: who pays for AC servicing and repairs, you or the landlord
• Clear space under each indoor unit and know where the outdoor units are

Step by step

1. Clean the filters yourself in between

   In summer, take out the filters every 2–4 weeks, rinse them in water, dry and refit. Dirty filters alone add about 5% to the energy an AC uses, according to Kahramaa's Tarsheed guide.

2. Book a professional service in March or April

   Before the heat, demand is lower and some companies offer promotions. In July and August the wait can be long, just when you need the AC most. Get at least two quotes; the button below sends one request to several checked companies.

3. Know what a proper service includes

   Cleaning the filters and the indoor and outdoor coils, flushing the drain line, checking the gas pressure with gauges, checking for leaks, checking the electrics, thermostat and fan, and testing the cooling at the end.

4. Ask for the price in writing first

   Confirm what is included: call-out fee, gas, parts, and the warranty on the work. Ask for a receipt that lists each unit and what was done.

5. Gas only after a leak check

   A sealed AC does not use up gas. If a technician says it needs a refill, ask them to show the gauge reading and find the leak. Topping up without fixing the leak means paying again in a few weeks.

6. Consider a yearly contract

   If you have several units, an annual maintenance contract with two or more visits often costs less than booking each time. Check how many units and visits it covers, and whether gas and parts are included.

7. Set 24°C and save

   Kahramaa recommends 24°C. Each degree higher saves roughly 2–5% on cooling. Close curtains on sunny windows and keep doors shut while the AC runs.

8. Renting? Check who pays

   By default the law puts minor repairs on the tenant, but your contract decides. Many leases make the landlord responsible for major AC repairs and the tenant for routine cleaning; central or district cooling is usually handled by the building.

   Read guide: Rent a home with confidence →

What it costs

Typical market prices at the time of review, from companies and sources in Qatar. Prices vary, so get quotes to compare.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until July. Technicians are fully booked and the heat is at its worst.
• Paying for gas without a leak check or a gauge reading.
• Agreeing a price by phone with nothing in writing, then finding call-out and parts added.
• Setting the AC to 18°C. It doesn't cool faster, it just costs more.
• Ignoring water dripping from the indoor unit. It usually means a blocked drain, which can damage walls and furniture.

Sources

• Kahramaa: Tarsheed energy-saving tips at home (PDF) ↗
• The Peninsula: ACs use up to 70% of home electricity, Kahramaa (2017) ↗
• Qatar Living: summer AC maintenance and DIY checks (2026) ↗

Always check the official source before acting. QatarSteps is independent and not a government website.

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