The Customer's Situation
Encik Yusof bin Ahmad owns a double-storey terrace in Taman Desa with two Panasonic units installed 15 years ago. Over the past year, both airconds kept losing cooling. He'd paid for three separate gas top-ups (RM150 each) that only lasted 2-3 months before warm air returned.
Our technician Azman found the copper pipes — running along the west-facing external wall — severely corroded. The insulation had disintegrated, exposing bare copper that had turned green. At least four pinhole leaks were found across both pipe sets. With widespread corrosion, patching individual leaks would be pointless. Full replacement was the only solution.
Understanding common aircond copper pipe issues can help homeowners spot problems early. For gas-related concerns, see our guide on how long aircond gas lasts.
The Replacement Process
Azman replaced all 24 metres of copper piping with new 0.71mm thick-wall pipes, fresh Aeroflex insulation, and UV-resistant trunking on the external wall. All joints were brazed with nitrogen purging to prevent internal oxidation.
Results
- Master bedroom: Outlet temperature restored to 12°C, room reaches 23°C in 15 minutes
- Living room: Full cooling restored, 13°C outlet temperature
- Gas pressure: Holding steady after one month — no more leaks
- TNB bill: Dropped RM45 — units no longer overworking to compensate for low gas
Pricing
- Copper pipe (24m, 0.71mm thick-wall): RM850
- Aeroflex insulation + UV tape: RM180
- Pipe trunking: RM120
- R32 gas charge (both units): RM200
- Labour: RM100
- Total: RM1,450
Issues Identified
- Copper pipes severely corroded after 15 years — green oxidation visible along entire run
- Multiple pinhole leaks on both master bedroom and living room pipe sets
- Insulation completely deteriorated — crumbling along external wall
- Both units losing gas repeatedly despite multiple top-ups over past year
- Water stains on exterior wall from condensation due to damaged insulation
Work Completed
- Replaced all copper piping for both units (total 24 metres)
- Used 0.71mm thick-wall copper pipes for longer lifespan
- New Aeroflex insulation with UV-resistant tape on external sections
- Nitrogen purge brazing at all joints
- Vacuum tested both systems before R32 recharge
- New pipe trunking installed on external wall
- Both units tested — outlet temperatures at 12-13°C
Customer Feedback
"I wasted RM450 on gas top-ups that only lasted months. Should have replaced the pipes earlier. Now both airconds work perfectly. The thick-wall pipes and trunking give me confidence this will last another 15 years."
— Encik Yusof bin Ahmad, Taman Desa
Aircond Keeps Losing Gas?
Recurring gas loss usually means pipe leaks. Get a proper diagnosis and permanent fix.
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