DAMMAM: The mercury has been rising in the Kingdom gradually and cooling systems are once again an indispensable part of daily life, especially in the Eastern Province, where the climate is a bit harsher than elsewhere in the country. During summer, as the temperature soars, air-conditioners which are put under increased strain break down, making people's lives miserable. This is the time of the year when the air-conditioner repair business booms. Some repair shops work for as long as 18 hours a day to meet the great demand. Altaf, a Pakistani national who runs a repair shop in the Toubaishi area in Dammam, told Saudi Gazette that since the beginning of May, he has been receiving a large number of customers who want their AC serviced so that it will perform better throughout the summer. “For around four months during the winter, air-conditioners remain idle in most houses here as people do not need them. As a result, they need cleaning and most of our customers do regular servicing to ensure that their cooling system works well in the hot weather,” he said. Altaf said that as part of maintenance, air-conditioners should be checked for leakage, filters must be replaced to increase airflow and accumulated dust and dirt must be removed. Moving parts inside the AC should be lubricated for smooth functioning. He said that most air-conditioners with a low ton capacity fail to perform well during the peak summer period as they are affected by high temperatures and humidity. “We work for about 18 hours a day in two shifts to meet the needs of our customers. To service an air-conditioner, we charge a minimum of SR50. Of course, the charges differ according to the service provided. The six months of summer is the time when we work, and I usually go for vacation during the entire winter,” he said. Shops that sell electronic items are also experiencing a boom in their business as more and more people are buying air-conditioners to prepare for the hot summer ahead. Mohammed Ali, an Indian national who runs an electronic items shop in downtown Dammam, said that split air-conditioners are in great demand in his shop. “People nowadays would rather have split AC than the window unit as they are more efficient although they are more expensive. Split models consume more energy and the electricity bill will be higher, but people prefer them due to their better performance especially in a climate like that of the Eastern Province,” Ali said.
