First-class graduate of Asia’s top university chooses father’s air-con business over corporate career

He eventually decided to help expand the family business rather than pursue a conventional corporate career. “Every day I come back, I see how tired my dad is. Why not I help my dad build his legacy?” he said.

Jiahao, a 27-year-old NUS graduate who studied chemical engineering and business. Photo courtesy of Jiahao’s IG

Air conditioning is widely used in Singapore, where hot and humid weather prevails year-round. About 78% of households had air conditioners in 2023, one of the highest ownership rates in Southeast Asia, according to the International Energy Agency.

In April this year, the Singapore government urged households and businesses to conserve electricity, including by setting air conditioners at 25 degrees Celsius or higher, amid rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict, according to The Straits Times.

Beyond servicing air conditioners, Jiahao has introduced social media marketing to his father’s business, which previously relied largely on word-of-mouth recommendations and existing customers. He began posting TikTok videos after noticing competitors advertising air-conditioning servicing for as little as S$10 (US$8), prompting customers to question why his father’s services cost more.

Rather than competing solely on price, he used the videos to explain proper servicing techniques and address common misconceptions about air-conditioning maintenance, eventually helping the business reach new customers. Jiahao also challenged the assumption that air conditioners require chemical cleaning or refrigerant pressure checks during every servicing appointment, saying proper basic maintenance is generally sufficient.

Regular servicing helps air conditioners operate efficiently and prevent common problems. According to technology website SlashGear, many heating, ventilation and air-conditioning professionals recommend annual inspections, including cleaning cooling coils, checking refrigerant levels and inspecting electrical connections. More frequent maintenance may be necessary for heavily used systems.

Jiahao said the family’s cleaning method also sets its services apart from competitors, although he declined to explain how they clean the cooling coils, calling the technique “a trade secret.”

Alongside his work in the family business, he is also building a career as a life insurance adviser, describing himself as the “Blue-Collar Insurance Guy.”