'Dear HJ Residence,

Your articles on aircon issues is very interesting and something that I encountered before.

Let me share my experience. About 6 years ago we bought a resale 4 room flat. ( my input: for the benefit of readers who is not familiar with Singapore's context, a 4 room flat is a subsidised housing development by the government for Singaporeans. How much is the subsidy, I do not know. A 4 room flat is usually a 3 bedroom apartment. The other room will be the living/dining room. How this term is coined, I do not know that too!) As the flat is quite old, we decided to renovate the entire flat. We told our contractor that we wanted to air-condition the whole apartment. He said no problem. He brought some catalogs from a few brands. We were recommended a system 4 and to pick a Japanese brand. Although a Japanese branded aircon is more expensive, we decided to proceed with it. After the renovation, everything was perfect. Unfortunately, we didn't think of running all the 4 aircon concurrently until my housewarming party some 3 months later. We turn on all the aircon but with about 20 people in the flat, it was like a sauna. Quite embarrassing too as we had to turn on the fans as well. The following Monday, I called the contractor to complain. He asked if I did any maintenance. I said no as we only turn on the aircon in the bedroom. He said to engage an aircon specialist to service and check and recommended one. They came a few days later, check and clean all the aircons. That weekend we turn on all the 4 aircons as we have a few friends for dinner. And it is still not cold that we again turn on the fan. I call my contractor again on Monday and complain. He said he will send another aircon specialist. I said I already paid one last week and not going to pay another one. He said he will tell the aircon specialist not to do any servicing. A few days later another group of servicemen came. They came, remove the covers and some parts then told me some component damaged! I said the aircon is new and it should under warranty. He said he can claim the warranty for the parts but have to charge me the labour cost! I was furious and called my contractor. He said if part damage, only the material is covered under warranty but not labour charge. So I told the aircon servicemen to pack up. He said, If I'm not replacing the parts then he needs to charge me for mobilization and checking. I'm left with no choice but to change the part since they're still charging me anyway. After they complete, I immediately turn on all the aircon. After about 30 minutes, it is still not cooling down the flat. The servicemen said I'll have to wait a bit more because the part is very new and left. All the aircons are turned on from 3pm and at 7pm it is still not as cold as I expected. When I call the servicemen the next day, he told me that may be another component in the system may be damaged. I was really furious. I gave up and look for another aircon specialist on the website. He came the next day and checked. He said that there's nothing wrong with the aircon. Just that the capacity is not enough. To cool down the whole flat I need to add another system 2. Told told him that's not possible as the flat has just been renovated and I don't wish to have extra pipings and messy works. Told him I will consider. He said for my system 4, the best it is only use as a system 3 for the bedrooms. I've totally given up after that. Till now, I'm just living with it. That's the problem I face previously.

Now my new apartment is going to be ready in a few months time. Based on your articles I read, you seem quite familiar with aircon systems. Can you help to recommend which aircon or what brand should I use for the new place?

Thank you very much if you can help.

Regards,

Teoh'