Why We Don't Charge for Gas Top-Ups (And Why Competitors Do)

You know the feeling of finding a great deal online only to be hit with hidden fees later.

Most homeowners in Petaling Jaya and KL have experienced this exact scenario with aircond servicing.

The technician finishes the job and casually mentions that your gas is low.

Suddenly, a simple RM80 service turns into a bill of RM200 or more because of a “mandatory” gas top-up.

At PJ Kool Aircond Service, we take a different approach.

Our standard chemical wash includes a free refrigerant gas top-up without any hidden caveats.

Homeowners often ask why we give away something that competitors charge nearly RM100 for.

The answer lies in honest math and a commitment to doing the job right.

Let’s look at the real costs, the industry tricks, and why keeping your cool shouldn’t empty your wallet.

What Is Refrigerant Gas and Why Does It Matter?

Refrigerant gas is the lifeblood of your cooling system. It is the chemical substance that absorbs heat from your room and releases it outside. In Malaysia, you will typically find three types of gas in residential units:

• R22: Found in older non-inverter models (being phased out by the Department of Environment).
• R410A: Common in units installed between 2010 and 2020.
• R32: The current standard for most new inverter units like Panasonic and Daikin, known for higher efficiency.

Your aircond is designed as a closed-loop system.

This means the gas recycles endlessly and should technically never run out unless there is a leak.

However, gas levels frequently drop in Malaysian homes due to specific local factors:

• Micro-leaks at flare nuts: The copper pipe connections often loosen slightly due to the constant vibration of the outdoor compressor.
• Thermal expansion and contraction: The extreme heat in the Klang Valley causes metal joints to expand and contract daily, weakening seals over time.
• Rubber gasket degradation: The service valves on your outdoor unit use rubber seals that harden and crack after years of exposure to our tropical humidity.

A simple top-up restores the pressure to the manufacturer’s specified PSI (Pounds per Square Inch).

This ensures your unit blows cold air at the correct temperature rather than just recirculating room-temperature air.

Why Most Companies Charge Extra for Gas

The aircond service market in the Klang Valley is fiercely competitive. A quick search on Facebook or Carousell often reveals advertisements for “Full Service” priced as low as RM30 or RM50.

These prices are unsustainable for any legitimate business covering petrol, wages, and equipment.

Competitors use a strategy known as unbundled pricing to make up the difference.

They hook you with a below-market base rate and then aggressively upsell necessary components like gas.

The technician is often incentivized with a commission on every tank of gas they sell to you.

This turns a technical service into a sales pitch.

The Real Cost of Refrigerant Gas

Transparency is the best way to combat these tactics. We want you to know exactly what the materials cost so you can judge the fairness of the prices you see.

Here is a breakdown of the estimated wholesale costs versus what many KL service providers charge:

Gas Type	Est. Wholesale Cost (Per KG)	Amount Needed for Top-Up	Market Price Charged to You
R22	RM25 - RM35	0.3 - 0.5 kg	RM100 - RM180
R410A	RM30 - RM45	0.3 - 0.5 kg	RM80 - RM150
R32	RM25 - RM40	0.2 - 0.4 kg	RM80 - RM120

The actual material cost for a standard top-up is often less than RM15.

Most companies mark this up by 500% or more to subsidize their cheap labor charges.

Why PJ Kool Includes Free Gas Top-Ups

Mr. Heng founded PJ Kool with a philosophy that prioritizes long-term relationships over quick profits. A proper service must restore the unit to peak efficiency.

Leaving a unit with low gas is like changing a car’s oil but leaving the tires flat.

Here is why we refuse to charge extra for this essential step:

1. Incomplete Service Wastes Your Electricity

An aircond running low on gas cannot reach the set temperature efficiently.

Your compressor will run continuously at maximum power to try and compensate.

This can increase your monthly TNB bill by 10% to 20% as the unit struggles to cool the room.

We ensure your gas is topped up so your unit runs efficiently and cuts down your energy usage immediately.

2. It Eliminates Friction and Suspicion

We serve thousands of customers across Damansara Jaya, Subang Jaya, and Shah Alam.

Our clients return to us because they know the invoice will match the quote.

Hidden charges create distrust.

We prefer to offer a single, fair price that covers everything needed to get the job done right.

3. Protection for Your Compressor

Low refrigerant levels do more than just make the room warm.

The refrigerant gas actually helps cool the compressor motor itself.

Running a unit with insufficient gas can cause the compressor to overheat and eventually fail.

Replacing a compressor can cost upwards of RM800.

We view the top-up as a preventative measure that protects your expensive hardware.

4. The Process Adds Minimal Time

Our technicians are already inspecting the outdoor unit and checking pressure levels as part of the chemical wash.

Connecting the gas cylinder and adding 20-30 PSI of pressure takes less than five minutes.

We absorb this small material and labor cost to ensure the service is comprehensive.

What “Free Gas Top-Up” Actually Means

Clarifying the technical limits of this offer is important for managing expectations.

We provide a maintenance top-up, not a repair for a broken system.

The distinction is clear:

• Included (Free): Top-ups of 0.2kg to 0.5kg. This is normal for units that have lost a small amount of pressure over 6-12 months of daily usage.
• Not Included (Repair Required): Full gas refills for empty units. If your gas is at zero PSI, you have a major leak.

Pumping gas into a leaking unit is a waste of money because it will leak out again within days.

Our technicians will identify if a major leak exists and provide a separate quote to fix the copper piping before adding any gas.

How to Spot Hidden Charges From Other Companies

You can protect yourself by asking specific questions before letting a technician into your home.

Be wary of vague answers or prices that seem too good to be true.

Ask these four questions when booking a slot:

1. “Is gas top-up included in the quoted price?” (If they say “depends,” expect a charge).
2. “Do you charge a transport or call-out fee?” (Many charge RM50 just to arrive).
3. “What is the price per PSI if gas is needed?” (This reveals their markup rate).
4. “Does the price change if I have an Inverter unit?” (Some companies charge extra for R32/R410A gas).

Honest providers will give you a straight answer immediately.

The PJ Kool Promise

PJ Kool Aircond Service guarantees that our chemical wash price is the all-in price.

We do not believe in bait-and-switch tactics.

Your booking includes:

• Full chemical wash of the evaporator coil (indoor unit)
• Thorough cleaning of the blower wheel and drainage tray
• Gas level check and top-up (Free up to manufacturer specs)
• Antibacterial misting for the filters
• Comprehensive inspection of the outdoor compressor

You pay exactly what you were quoted.

This approach has made us a trusted partner for homeowners throughout the Klang Valley.

Book Your Chemical Wash Today

A properly serviced aircond runs quieter, cooler, and cheaper.

Why risk hidden fees when you can get a complete service for one transparent price?

WhatsApp us at 012-2252 623 to book your appointment.

We cover all major areas including PJ, KL, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Puchong, and Damansara.

Check out our chemical wash service page for our current pricing and full service breakdown.