Question 1

Is my air conditioner broken?

Accepted Answer

If the cool air has stopped flowing here are some steps to take to determine if there is a problem that needs professional attention.

If you control your air conditioner with a remote check to see if the display on the remote is on – if not, try changing the batteries.
Is there power to your system? With a wall mount split there are normally lights on the front of the system that will illuminate when you turn the system on – no lights normally means no power. With a ducted system if the wall controller is dead, this often indicates there is no power to the system.

If there is power to the system, turn the isolator off for 10 minutes, turn back on and then attempt to start the air conditioner.

Question 2

Why is my air conditioner leaking?

Accepted Answer

One function of an air conditioner is to extract humidity from the air. The extracted humidity is condensed into water on the indoor coil and then drips into a drain pan which flows into a drain. Leaks usually indicate that there’s a problem with the way the condensate is draining.
The following are things that could be causing this issue;

A clogged drain line,
A ruse / cracked drain pan,
A dirty or frozen evaporator coil,
Low refrigerant level,
A dirty air filter,
Or installation issues.

Question 3

Should I replace or repair my air conditioner?

Accepted Answer

Replacing your air conditioner is an investment decision. Here are some things to consider:

The age of your air conditioner. The average life (with normal usage) of an air conditioner is somewhere between 10 and 15 years. So, if your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it may be time for a replacement.
Rising energy bills. As air conditioners get older, they become less energy efficient. To see if your air conditioner is losing efficiency, compare your utility bills over the past few summers. If your costs are rising, it could be a sign that your air conditioner is wearing out.
Leaking refrigerant. Not only is refrigerant expensive, but refrigerant leaks will cause the compressor to eventually fault. Older systems often run on legacy gases that are becoming more difficult to source and are expensive.
The cost of repair versus a replacement system. New systems come with a 5 year manufacturers warranty. Especially with smaller systems and very old systems, any major repairs should be carefully evaluated against the cost of a new system.

Question 4

How often should I have my air conditioner serviced?

Accepted Answer

At least once a year and potentially more frequently. Higher usage will shorten service cycles as will a dirty / dusty environment – like areas with a lot of people, sites near busy roads or other dust sources.
The minimum service regime should involve a filter clean, drain flush and inspection of the outdoor system. A licenced refrigeration mechanic can do that and in addition will carry out a comprehensive check of the running operation and condition of your system.

Question 5

How can I reduce running costs of my air conditioner?

Accepted Answer

Ensure your air conditioning system is in good working order and reduce system run time. Some ways of doing this are:

Ensuring your filters are clean and the outdoor unit is clear of air pathway obstructions
Reduce heat load coming into your property - by externally shading windows or by shutting curtains / blinds.
Set the fan on your systems to “auto” rather than on a fixed speed. The fixed speed setting continually circulates air throughout your property to balance the temperature and help you feel more comfortable. But the “auto” setting is the more inexpensive option because it saves energy—the fan only blows when the air conditioner is producing cool air.
Raise the set temperature. Most people are comfortable in an air conditioned environment set at 25 degrees. As a general rule, each degree increase in set temperature, reduces air conditioner energy consumption by 10%.

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