How much does AC cleaning cost in the UAE?
Standard AC cleaning costs about AED 150–250 per unit, duct cleaning AED 350–600 per unit, and an AC-only annual contract AED 1,200–2,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment.
Standard AC cleaning in the UAE costs about AED 150–250 per unit for a split or window unit in 2026. Published starting prices in Dubai sit at AED 149–180 per unit. Duct cleaning for a ducted or concealed unit costs more, about AED 350–600 per unit, and a deep coil clean runs about AED 300–700 per unit.
Below are the typical prices by service, what a proper clean includes, what pushes a quote up, how an annual maintenance contract (AMC) compares, and how to compare offers so the price covers real work.
Typical prices per unit
| Service | Typical price | Usual time |
|---|---|---|
| Split or window AC, standard cleaning (filter, vents, coil) | AED 150–250 per unit | 45–90 minutes |
| Outdoor unit cleaning only | from about AED 90 | about 45 minutes |
| Deep coil cleaning (chemical) | AED 300–700 per unit | 1.5–3 hours |
| Duct cleaning and sanitisation, ducted or concealed unit | AED 350–600 per unit | 2–3 hours |
| Full system clean (filter, duct, coil, outdoor unit) | AED 500–600 per unit | 2–3 hours |
Most companies lower the price per unit when several units are cleaned in one visit. Published duct cleaning rates in Dubai, for example, start at AED 550 for one unit and fall to about AED 440 per unit for five units. Prices at the top of each range are common for villas, units mounted high in a false ceiling and outdoor units on a roof.
Standard cleaning, coil cleaning and duct cleaning
Standard cleaning covers the filters, vents and front panel, a spray clean of the indoor coil, the drain line and a test run. For a wall-mounted split unit, the technician usually wraps the indoor unit in a catch bag so the water goes into a bucket, not down the wall. This is enough when the unit still cools well and is serviced every 3–6 months.
Deep coil cleaning uses a coil cleaner to remove grime that water alone does not lift. It makes sense when the unit smells musty, cools weakly after a standard clean, drips water, or has not been serviced for a year or more.
Duct cleaning applies to ducted and concealed units, which are common in UAE apartments and villas. The technician opens the access panel in the false ceiling, cleans the filter and coil, and brushes and vacuums the ducts and grilles, often with a sanitising treatment. It is not needed at every service. The guide on how often to clean an AC has a schedule, and the service page for AC duct cleaning lists the companies that offer it.
What makes a quote higher
- Unit type. Ducted, concealed and cassette units take longer to open and reassemble than a wall-mounted split.
- Size. A 2.5 ton unit has a larger coil and more ductwork than a 1 ton unit.
- Access. Units above a false ceiling with a small access panel, outdoor units on a roof or façade, and high ceilings add time.
- Building rules. Many towers and communities require a work permit from building management, fixed working hours and the workers' details in advance.
- Condition. A unit not serviced for years, with heavy dust from sandstorms, mould or a blocked drain, takes longer.
- Season. From May to September demand peaks, and schedules fill up quickly.
Extras that can appear on the bill
- Gas top-up: about AED 250–450 per split unit, and AED 600–1,200 when leak detection and repair are included. A unit should not lose refrigerant in normal use, so low gas means a leak somewhere. See AC gas refill.
- Drain line repair: clearing a blocked drain line and flushing the pan costs about AED 200–400 when it is quoted separately.
- Repairs: parts such as a capacitor (about AED 180–350) or a fan motor (about AED 450–1,100). A unit with a fault, not just dirt, needs AC repair.
A reliable technician explains the problem, shows the part or the reading, and gives the price before doing extra work. Add-ons should not be approved in the middle of the job without a clear price.
Annual maintenance contract (AMC)
An AC annual maintenance contract bundles several visits a year, usually 3–4 services per unit, with filter cleaning, coil cleaning, gas pressure checks and drain clearing. Published ranges for an AC-only contract are about AED 1,200–2,000 per year for a 1-bedroom apartment; full home AMCs that also cover plumbing and electrical work cost more, and parts are usually charged on top. An AMC pays off when the AC is used most of the year and the contract includes call-outs. It is worth checking what is excluded, such as compressors, gas and after-hours visits.
How to compare quotes
- Is the price per unit, and is there a discount for several units?
- What is included: filters, coil, blower, drain line, outdoor unit, ducts, test run?
- Is it standard cleaning, deep coil cleaning or duct cleaning?
- Is 5% VAT included, and is a tax invoice issued?
- Who arranges the building work permit, if one is needed?
- Is there a warranty on the labour, and for how long?
A slightly higher price with a written scope and a labour warranty is usually the better deal. A very low price sometimes covers only the filters and the front panel.
Cleaning and the electricity bill
A dirty unit runs longer to cool the same room. In Dubai, DEWA charges 23–38 fils per kWh depending on monthly use, plus a fuel surcharge and 5% VAT. Apartments on district cooling pay a separate chiller bill. The AC electricity cost calculator gives an estimate of what a unit costs to run.
To compare real prices for a specific home, the units can be described once on khalasna (type, size in tons, how many, apartment or villa) to get up to 5 quotes from AC companies that cover the area. Details are in how quotes work and on the AC cleaning page, for example AC cleaning in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Is deep coil cleaning better than standard cleaning?
Not always. A deep coil clean is for units that smell, drip or have lost cooling. Units serviced every 3–6 months usually need only standard cleaning.
Is duct cleaning needed for a wall-mounted split unit?
No. A wall-mounted split unit has no ducts. Duct cleaning applies to ducted and concealed units that blow air through grilles in the ceiling.
Is a gas top-up included in AC cleaning?
No. Cleaning does not include refrigerant. If the technician says the gas is low, a leak check comes first, because a unit should not lose gas in normal use.
Do AC cleaning prices include VAT?
It depends on the company. VAT in the UAE is 5%, and VAT-registered businesses issue a tax invoice with their TRN. It is worth asking whether the quoted price already includes it.
Is an AMC cheaper than paying per visit?
It can be when the AC is serviced 3–4 times a year and the contract includes call-outs. For a home with one or two units serviced twice a year, paying per visit is often cheaper.