Handy Hints

Got odours?

This could be caused by dirty or blocked filters. You should change or clean the filters regularly. Dirty filters restrict air flow, reducing efficiency and can cause the evaporator to ice up. Disposable filters and electrostatic or electronic filters should be cleaned regularly and replaced after time. If your filters are still clean you’ll need a technician to inspect further for you. Mould may need cleaning or there could be a bacteria buildup on the indoor coil.

Obstructed airflow?

Heating or cooling systems should never have obstacles in front of them. Clear obvious obstructions such as plants, bins, bikes, etc, around the outdoor unit to prevent “re-circulation” issues which effect efficiency and affect airflow temperatures, be sure to check if something is blocking the unit first. If it is all clear it’s time to call a tech.

Uncontrolled temperatures?

Air conditioners work to cool or warm your home to create a comfortable living environment. When operating your air conditioner, it is advised that a set point of 22 to 23 degrees be used in the summer months with a set point of 19 to 20 in the winter months, this will give comfortable temperatures in your home and help reduce energy costs. Set points below 20 degrees are not advised as these can cause the air conditioner to ice up and cause other issues within the system.

Ice buildup?

In colder months, you may find that the air conditioner blows cold air inside and therefore, may have a build-up of ice on the outdoor unit. Depending on the age of the unit, it will most likely have a de-ice function that allows it to monitor the ice build-up on the outdoor unit and will occasionally go into the de-ice mode to clear the ice. The full de-icing mode can last up to 30 minutes. Please do not attempt to turn off the system during this mode to ensure the air conditioner completes its procedures in full. You may also find water around the bottom of the unit outside as the ice melts.

Have you run a test?

Be sure to run your air conditioner for a few minutes before the peak seasons to test its operation and overall condition. Many don’t think about doing this only to find on that first warm day their system is not working. Having your system checked and serviced on a regular basis is the best way to ensure effective and efficient operation and reduce the chance of unit breakdown. We can offer regular servicing to ensure you don’t get caught out.

Drainage blocked?

Can you see or hear water leaking from your system? Sometimes your drainage systems can become more of a problem than you can handle on your own. You can prevent clogs by making sure that your drains are flushed out before every summer, to ensure that they are free from blockage. Book in a regular annual service today.

Zones not working?

Ducted systems have been set up to air condition a certain number of zones at a time, ensure doors and windows to rooms not being conditioned are closed to ensure the best efficiency possible. Turn your system off before switching zones to reduce the chance of damper motor failure.

Controller not displaying anything?

First have you checked the batteries are in correctly, not come loose or are flat? Try swapping over batteries first to see if that fixes the issue. If it’s still not working, try turning the unit on manually. If nothing operates and if you are confident enough and can do so safely, check that the circuit breaker in the fuse box is switched on. If this is off switch it back on. Sometimes there is an isolation switch on the unit. If it is off switch it back on. Once these steps have been done try turning it on/off again from the controller, if the controller is still not working it could be that you need a new controller or something bigger that requires a technician.

The system is on but not blowing cool or hot air?

Sometimes it’s as simple as an incorrect setting, be sure to see that you have the settings set correctly, your product manual will help with what is right for your system. Be sure to check that the filter is clean. If you have checked both of these things try resetting the unit by switching it off at the power or circuit breaker (remember only to touch your circuit breaker if you know how and it’s safe to do so) for 5 minutes and then switch it back on. Let the system run for 30-60 minutes and see if the temperature drops/rises in the room. If the system is still not heating/cooling, it’s time to place a service call.

Not sure how your system works?

We cannot say this one enough read the manual of your system, if you do not have one most can be found online by a simple Google search of the make & model. If you are still not sure perhaps a call to our service department could help, we can have a technician come out & walk you through the features of your system and how to use it. Knowing how your system works can save you money on both running & maintenance further down the line. Be sure to ask the technician about faults etc and what you should look for so you can be prepared should the unexpected ever happen.

When did you last clean your system?

Believe it or not, your heating and cooling system is like cleaning the floors of your home, it should be done regularly. Filters should be cleaned or changed at least every few months if not monthly. Make sure the system is all turned off before you commence any work. If the filters are dirty & blocked it makes your system work harder than it should, it can also be bad for your health. 

How often do you get your system serviced?

Think of your heating & cooling system like your car, without regular servicing breakdown will happen and can be costly to fix. We suggest having your air conditioner serviced annually, our technician will make suggestions for deeper cleans should they arise, which is usually suggested every couple of years. Do not ignore it, it really does save you unnecessary money in both running costs & repairs, book yours today.

My system is not working.

We think at some point we have all been caught out missing something simple as a cord not being plugged in, a battery is flat. If your system is not working, it might be a simple fix however it might also be something bigger too. Before calling a technician have you checked.

• Is the system unplugged?
• Are the filters blocked up?
• Is it turned on at the fuse box?

If you have checked these things and it’s still not working, it might be time for a call to a technician.

My system is making a lot of noise and is louder than usual.

It is common to hear a change in noise as your system is adjusting in temperatures or. Sometimes though the noise levels can increase & be more continuous, this could be several different reasons but the first thing we suggest is checking that the filters aren’t dirty. Occasionally the grille might have come loose and is vibrating against the system or creating a whistling noise while running. If the noise is more intense and is banging switch the unit off immediately. This could be a bigger issue and require a technician to investigate further for you.

Water leaking from wall system during operation.

This can be a common problem and there is no need for panic just yet, check that the filters are clean. Check your indoor unit is not clogged with dirt or grime. If you have checked these and both are functioning & still dripping or leaking you likely have something more cynical like a blocked blower wheel, or fan blade. This will need to be cleaned professionally. These kinds of issues can usually be prevented with regular servicing.

Burning smell from system during operation.

First, turn the power off to the system immediately, check that the filter is clean. If your filter is blocked and dirty it can reduce airflow and make the fan motor hot and this can produce a burning smell. Once you have checked the filter and given it a clean leaving it for 30-60 mins allowing previous smells to disburse. Try turning it back on and if the smell persists after the filter is cleaned, the indoor fan motor or the motor mounts may need repairs or replacing. Switch off the unit immediately and call a technician to help further.

Sensor Problems.

Room air conditioners feature a thermostat sensor, located behind the control panel, which measures the temperature of air coming into the evaporative coil. If the sensor is knocked out of position, the air conditioner could cycle constantly or behave erratically. The sensor should be near the coil but not touching it.

We don’t suggest you try to fix this issue yourself as you could cause more damage to the wire. If you think this could be the issue you are having we suggest you call & have a technician take a look for you.

Identify Duct Leaks.

Sometimes, the problems that cause ducted air conditioning systems to malfunction are located not in the main unit but in the ducts.
You can sometimes detect this by a loss in temperature or air pressure.
An important part of troubleshooting a ducted system is to check the ducts for leaks.

Typically, ducts are located in crawl spaces in the roof. If you can safely access the roof of your home, you can check the ducts for leaks yourself, you should be able to feel the air blowing throughout the roof space. 

If you do not feel confident locating the leaks in the ducts, give us a call. Technicians can quickly find leaks in ducts and carry out a high-quality repair.

Operation stops unexpectedly.

Have you checked that the filters are clean? If not, clean the air filters and try restarting using the controller. Is the operation lamp still flashing? Perform a simple reset by turning the system off at the circuit breaker for around 15-30 minutes. Then restart as normal. If the operation light is still flashing you have one last option before you will need to call a technician. Have you checked that there not any objects blocking the air inlet or outlet of the indoor/outdoor unit? If not go check, remove any objects & try restarting as usual, if this doesn’t work & you are still getting a flashing light you will need to give us a call.

I lost the remote controller.

This is more common than you think!

Can you use the air conditioner without the controller? It depends on your system, some may have a wall control where various functions can still be used & others may only allow you to turn the system on & off.

Give us a call with your make & model number & we should be able to organise a new controller for you. Occasionally they may need to be linked together & our technicians are here to assist should you not be able to do this your self.

Improper Installation.

Sometimes, the problems that cause ducted air conditioning systems to malfunction are located not in the main unit but in the ducts.
You can sometimes detect this by a loss in temperature or air pressure.
An important part of troubleshooting a ducted system is to check the ducts for leaks.

Typically, ducts are located in crawl spaces in the roof. If you can safely access the roof of your home, you can check the ducts for leaks yourself, you should be able to feel the air blowing throughout the roof space.

If you do not feel confident locating the leaks in the ducts, give us a call. Technicians can quickly find leaks in ducts and carry out a high-quality repair.

Electric Control Failure.

This can be caused by a few different things which is why when it comes to the electrics you have a professional look further into this for you. It could be a rodent or bird that has got caught up in the circuit board or the compressor and fan controls have worn out, too far more complicated issues. It’s best the electrical connections and contacts are checked during a professional service call to minimise electrical issues.

Blows cold air before hot air.

When a heating cycle begins and your air conditioner turns on, cool air will blow out of your system before warm air does.

The AC compressor runs continuously till set temperature is reached in the room
The compressor then switches off, but the blower fan in the wall mounted unit keeps running. During this time the AC fan blows air out at Room temperature (which feels warmer)
When the temperature of a room rises then the compressor starts running again. During this period the air coming out from the inner unit is cooled by the condenser coils, this can be only a few minutes through to 10-15+ minutes, while the room adjusts (so the air blowing will feel much cooler)
And the process is repeated…. as long as you keep AC running