With the air conditioner season approaching, the industry has begun offering pre-season checkup services. Samsung Electronics Service and LG Electronics said on March 3 they will conduct pre-season air conditioner inspections from March 3 to March 31. The Korea Meteorological Administration said its report, “113-Year Climate Change Analysis of Korea,” found the average summer climate period has increased from 98 days to 130 days over the past 10 years, an increase of more than a month. As summer arrives earlier and lasts longer, the need to check air conditioner conditions in advance has increased.

Samsung Electronics Service provides a systematic inspection service by professional engineers if customers find abnormalities after conducting self-checks. The self-check items include confirming the power connection, washing the indoor unit dust filter, clearing the area around the outdoor unit and test-running the air conditioner. Customers can conveniently perform self-checks by following videos posted on the Samsung Electronics Service website.

Customers who have registered their air conditioner on SmartThings receive an “air conditioner AI diagnosis” alert on their smartphones. When customers tap the alert, diagnosis of the connected air conditioner begins. It provides results after a comprehensive diagnosis covering refrigerant charge, motor operation, sensor status and heat exchanger temperature. If additional checks are needed after the AI diagnosis, customers can receive a remote product inspection from a specialist counsellor and resolve the issue.

Samsung Electronics Service is also running an early-bird promotion for “Samsung Care Plus air conditioner professional cleaning” through April 30. Customers can use a systematic cleaning service by professional engineers at a 10 percent discounted price. Applications for the pre-season air conditioner checkup service can be made through the Samsung Electronics Service contact center and website, and benefits such as no call-out fee are provided.

Park Sung-je (박성제), an executive vice president and head of the technology team at Samsung Electronics Service, said, “It is becoming even more important to manage air conditioners in advance before the full heat arrives. We will actively carry out pre-season checkups so customers can conveniently use Samsung Electronics air conditioners.”

LG Electronics has professional engineers visit homes to check cooling performance, refrigerant condition, power and wiring connections, and the hygiene condition of filters and drain hoses. Using the “LG Smart Check” app, it wirelessly connects to the product to control and inspect components without disassembly. It diagnoses by analysing real-time operating information and past data. The number of customers who applied for pre-season checkups last year increased by more than 20 percent from the previous year.

Customers can also check air conditioner conditions themselves. The “Smart Diagnosis” feature in the LG ThinQ app checks operating conditions and refrigerant condition of key components such as the inverter, fan motor, compressor, and pressure, temperature and current sensors, and informs users of any abnormalities. Applications for LG Electronics pre-season checkups can be made through its website or customer center at 1544-7777. Visit and inspection fees are free.

LG Electronics is also running a “spring appliance cleaning discount event” offering a 10 percent fee discount for customers who need professional air conditioner cleaning services. It includes cleaning the inside of the air conditioner and filters, high-pressure cleaning of the heat exchanger and steam sterilisation.

Jung Jae-woong (정재웅), a managing director and head of LG Electronics’ Customer Value Innovation Division, said, “We will provide a differentiated customer experience in services as well through smart air conditioner pre-season checkups using AI.”