Gas Top-Up for 2 Units at Setapak Apartment

The Problem

A tenant at PV18 Residence in Setapak noticed both bedroom airconds had gradually become less effective over the past 2 months. The units — both York YWM3J10AAS 1.0HP non-inverter models — were still blowing air, but the rooms never felt properly cold even after running for hours. The tenant described it as "cool-ish but not cold."

The landlord, who handles maintenance for the unit, contacted Masters Aircond Service KL to diagnose and fix the issue. Both units were about 4 years old and had been serviced 6 months earlier, so the filters were reasonably clean.

Our Assessment

Our technician arrived and began with a temperature differential test on both units. The results confirmed the tenant's complaint:

• Bedroom 1 unit — supply air at 21°C (should be 12–16°C for a 1.0HP unit), suction pressure at 45 PSI (low; normal is 60–70 PSI for R410A)
• Bedroom 2 unit — supply air at 19°C, suction pressure at 50 PSI (also low but slightly better)
• No visible ice formation on the evaporator coils — a sign of moderate rather than severe gas loss
• Leak check — applied soap solution to all flare joints on both units. No bubbles detected, suggesting a slow micro-leak rather than an active one

Both units needed a gas top-up with R410A refrigerant. Since no active leak was found, topping up would restore cooling performance. We advised the landlord that if the gas depletes again within 6–12 months, a more thorough leak detection would be needed.

Work Timeline

Lessons & Advice

Gas depletion is a common issue in apartment airconds, especially units that are 3–5 years old. The flare joints where copper piping connects to the indoor and outdoor units can develop micro-leaks over time due to thermal expansion and contraction. In most cases, a top-up restores full performance and lasts another 2–3 years.

The key warning sign is gradual cooling loss — the aircond still blows air but it's not as cold as it used to be. If you notice ice forming on the copper piping or evaporator coils, that's a sign the gas is critically low and you should stop running the unit to prevent compressor damage.

For R410A systems, a gas top-up typically costs RM100–150 per unit at Masters Aircond Service KL. R32 units are slightly more expensive. We always recommend combining a gas top-up with a basic aircond servicing to clean filters and coils — clean coils absorb refrigerant heat more efficiently, so your topped-up gas works harder for you.

Kevin Chong

✓ Founder & Senior Technician

Kevin founded Masters Aircond Service KL with one goal: honest, reliable aircond servicing across Kuala Lumpur. With over 12 years in the industry, he personally oversees every major project.