Window units are still the workhorse of cooling in a lot of Islamabad and Rawalpindi homes. They are simple, they are cheap to run compared with the alternatives, and when they are looked after they last years longer than people expect. They are also the unit most likely to be blamed for a gas leak when the real problem is a filter nobody has cleaned since the last summer.
This guide covers what actually goes wrong with window ACs, what each repair costs at our published rates, and what to do with the unit now that the cooling season is over.
Not cooling? It is usually not the gas
The first thing most people assume is low gas, and most of the time that is not it. A window AC that is running but barely cooling is far more often choked with dust across the filter and the coil. Air cannot move through, so nothing cools, and the compressor works harder for no result.
A master service, which covers filters, coil wash, blower, drain tray and a gas check, is Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,200. That is the first thing to rule out, because it costs less than half what a gas charge does and it fixes the complaint more often than not.
If cooling is genuinely weak after a proper service, then a leak is worth investigating. Gas charging is Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,800, and a leak should be found first: topping up a unit that is leaking just means paying for the same gas twice.
Water dripping inside the room
Window units are supposed to drain outwards. Water appearing on the inside wall usually means the drain line is blocked or the unit has been fitted dead level instead of with a slight fall towards the outside. Both are fixable, and both are cheaper than the damp patch they leave on the wall if ignored. Repairs in this range run Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,500.
Noise: rattling, buzzing or grinding
A rattle is usually a loose mount or a bracket that has worked itself free, which is worth fixing quickly because a window unit works loose over time. A deeper grinding is a fan bearing or a blade catching, in the Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,500 range. A loud hum with no air movement usually points at a failed capacitor rather than a dead compressor, and a capacitor is one of the cheapest parts on the unit.
The unit trips the breaker or will not start
If an AC trips your breaker, stop switching it back on. Repeated tripping damages both the unit and the circuit. The usual causes are a failed capacitor, a shorted compressor winding, or an undersized circuit that was never right for the load. We look at the unit and the socket together, and where the problem is on the wiring side, our electricians deal with it.
Ice forming on the coil
Ice means airflow or charge. A dirty filter starves the coil of air, the coil drops below freezing, and ice forms, which blocks the airflow further. Clean the filter, let the ice melt completely, then run it again. If it ices up a second time with a clean filter, the charge is low and that is a leak to find.
What AC work costs in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
- Master service: Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,200
- General service: Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,600
- Gas charging: Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,800
- Installation: Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500
- Dismounting: Rs 1,200 to Rs 3,000
- Repairs including boards, capacitors and sensors: Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,500
The full rate list is on our AC repair and service page. Every figure is agreed in writing before work starts, and workmanship carries a 30-day warranty.
What to do with a window AC at the end of the season
October and November are the cheapest and easiest months to deal with an AC, because nobody is queuing for a technician. Two options are worth considering.
- Service it now and leave it in place. A coil wash and a drain clear at the end of the season means the unit is not sitting all winter with damp dust packed against the fins, which is what corrodes them.
- Dismount and store it. At Rs 1,200 to Rs 3,000, a proper pump-down, capped pipes and a refit next season protects the unit and frees the window. It also means the sleeve and the wall opening can be sealed properly, which makes a real difference to how warm the room is in January.
If you are leaving it in place, cover the outdoor side rather than the indoor side, and leave the inside free so the unit can breathe.
Repair or replace a window AC?
If the compressor has failed on a unit that is more than eight years old, replacement is usually the better decision. Capacitors, fan motors, boards, drains and gas leaks are all normally worth repairing. We will tell you which side of that line your unit sits on rather than quoting a repair that does not make sense.
Areas we cover
We service and repair ACs across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including F-6, F-7, F-8, F-10, F-11, F-17, G-9, G-10, G-11, G-13, I-8, E-11, DHA I and II, Bahria Town, Gulberg Greens, Satellite Town, Chaklala Scheme III and Saddar.
Common questions
Do you work on inverter units as well?
Yes, inverter and non-inverter, from one to two tons, along with split and window units.
How often should a window AC be serviced?
Once before the season and once at the end of it. In dusty areas, a filter clean every few weeks during summer makes a noticeable difference.
Can you find a gas leak rather than just refilling?
Yes, and that is the right order. A refill on a leaking system is money spent twice.
Get a price before anyone comes
Send a photo of the unit and the model sticker on WhatsApp at +92 329 6712923. You get a price range back in writing before anyone travels to you.