AC Major Overhaul in Dubai
For 8 to 12 year old AC systems where the compressor or condenser has failed but the rest — copper runs, ductwork, electricals — is sound. Often 30 to 50% of replacement cost. We assess first, quote both repair and replace, you decide. Fixed-price written quote, 6-month workmanship warranty.
What is in an overhaul
Even when the failure is one component, a proper overhaul addresses the rest of the system so the next failure is years away, not months.
Compressor swap
The most common overhaul. We diagnose, source an OEM or OEM-equivalent compressor matched to BTU and refrigerant, vacuum the system, recharge to spec, commission.
Condenser coil clean or rebuild
Years of dust, salt and scale degrade the outdoor coil. Heavy-duty chemical clean recovers most efficiency; severe corrosion needs coil replacement. related page.
Fan motor & bearings
Indoor blower or outdoor condenser fan motor. Bearings, capacitors, sometimes the full motor — replaced like-for-like or upgraded where a better part exists.
Refrigerant line repair
If the original copper has a leak (rare but possible after 10+ years), we patch or replace the affected section, nitrogen pressure-test, then recharge. related page.
Electrical components
Contactor, capacitor, control board, thermostat — anything degraded gets swapped, so the next surge does not take the new compressor with it. related page.
Full system flush & recharge
Lines flushed, filter-drier replaced, system vacuumed to 500 microns and recharged by weight to manufacturer spec. Half-jobs fail again within 12 months.
Overhaul or replace? Honest test
We tell you straight which one fits your situation. If replacement is the right call, we say so even when the overhaul quote is bigger.
Age 8 to 12 years
Overhaul is usually the right call. The copper, ductwork and electricals still have life left; one or two components have failed.
Age 13+ years
Replacement usually wins on efficiency. Newer inverter units pay back the difference on DEWA bills within 2 to 4 summers.
R-22 refrigerant
Phased out, expensive to top up, environmentally banned in most jurisdictions. We will be honest that replacing the unit is usually cheaper than chasing R-22 long-term.
Copper & ductwork sound
Visible copper insulation intact, ducts not rusted or sagging — the expensive infrastructure is reusable. Overhaul tends to win.
Multiple failures in 12 months
Compressor and board and fan motor all going within a year — the rest of the system is on borrowed time. Replacement is the cleaner call.
High DEWA bill on non-inverter
If the existing unit is non-inverter and your bill is climbing, moving to a modern inverter pays for itself over the install lifetime.
Typical price brackets
Fixed-price written quote after diagnosis. Compare against new install pricing on the New AC Installation page before deciding.
Indicative ranges
- Compressor swap, residential split: AED 1,500–3,500
- Compressor swap, ducted residential: AED 3,500–7,000
- Condenser coil replacement: AED 2,000–5,000
- Fan motor + capacitor: AED 600–1,500
- Full system overhaul (compressor + clean + recharge): AED 2,500–6,000
- Commercial AC overhaul: quoted per scope
What we do that most others do not
Diagnose before quoting. OEM or OEM-equivalent parts. Nitrogen pressure-test before gas charge. Vacuum to 500 microns. Run the system for 30+ minutes under load to confirm the fix held. Document the work with photos, parts list and refrigerant charge weight.
Workmanship and material warranties
Two layers of cover on every overhaul. The workmanship warranty is ours; manufacturer warranties on the parts we fit pass through to you directly.
Workmanship warranty
6-month workmanship warranty — if the same component fails within 6 months due to our installation or workmanship, we re-do the labour at no cost.
Warranty start date is recorded on the handover report alongside vacuum reading, weighed-in charge and post-run performance log.
Material warranties
Material warranties on parts (compressors, motors, control boards, capacitors) pass through directly from the manufacturer — typically 12 months on aftermarket parts, longer on OEM. Range across our typical scope is 0 to 10 years depending on the part. Exact terms are documented on handover.
Areas we cover
Same-day reach across Dubai. Tap your area for landmarks, communities and the services we deliver there — or tell us your building on WhatsApp.
Book an AC overhaul assessment
WhatsApp a photo of the indoor and outdoor units, the nameplate, and a short description of the fault. We confirm a survey slot and quote both overhaul and replacement so you can compare.