When it hits summer in Australia, the last thing you want to deal with is a super hot home! Brands like Mitsubishi and Daikin have a reputation for lasting a long time, but even these units can encounter issues during peak usage, so it’s important to know how to troubleshoot them.
From clogged filters to leaks and malfunctioning, this blog will be your best guide to getting your air conditioner up and running! There’s no need to keep worrying about not being comfortable this season.
So, your air conditioner has stopped working. Sometimes, it can be a simple fix, but every now and then, it becomes a more frustrating issue. Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems!
Is your aircon not blowing any air from the duct at all, or is the air coming out warm instead of cold? There are a few things that can cause this:
If it’s still not working, check your fuse box or electrical panel for tripped fuses that cut circuit capacity. You can also look at the coils for ice build-up or refrigerant levels.
If your air conditioner doesn’t respond to temperature adjustments, this can be annoying when you want your room to hit a certain temperature before the afternoon heat sets in.
The thermostat sensor, which is behind the control panel, measures the temperature of the unit the unit is blowing out. No cold air means that the sensor could have been knocked out of position.
Is your thermostat dislodged? This will require an experienced technician to adjust it back to the right space. If it is set to “on”, make sure your thermostat is set to “cool”, or you might need to lower the temperature on your controller.
Refer to your unit’s manual for specific troubleshooting steps.
When your air filters are blocked, this means your aircon is working twice as hard to keep your spaces cool. If you leave this going on for too long, the compressor (or fans) can fail. Filters or coils also result in short-cycling, such as being stuck in a cycle of turning on, barely running long enough, and turning off.
Filters should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months if frequently covered in dust, and it’s a good idea to clean them before summer and winter to help them run the way they should. Neglecting filter maintenance can lead to more issues over time.
How do you fix blocked coils or filters? Open the front panel of your indoor unit to remove the filters located inside, give them a brush, shake them off, and a quick rinse to get rid of extra dust or dirt. If your filters aren’t washable, use a vacuum on low power mode with an attachment tool.
Access the fan coil by removing the indoor unit’s chassis and spraying it with a cleaning solution, ideally just warm, soapy water. Leave it for a few minutes and rinse with warm water.
A refrigerant is a chemical that cycles throughout your air conditioning system to dispel heat inside your home and push it outdoors. Leaks are a slip hazard in the home, but with split systems, leaks can potentially affect the electrics, so you want to get to the root of this problem as soon as possible.
Seeing a bit of condensation on your air conditioner is normal, but over-the-top moisture can be a sign of water leaking directly from your unit! Sometimes, if the drain line becomes clogged with dirt, dust, or mould, water can leak out.
On the other hand, for the coolant lines running through the aircon, hissing, or bubbling sounds can mean signs of damage to the vales and coils that circulate the refrigerant; this should never be ignored. Over time, components such as copper pipes or rubber seals can break down inside your AC, causing leaks.
How do you fix a leaking aircon? Firstly, unclog your unit drain line by using a wet and dry vacuum to remove the blockage. If the condensate pump is the problem, it will need a replacement.
If it is a refrigerant leak, do not fix this yourself. Handling refrigerant chemicals is dangerous since they are toxic and flammable. Call the Aust Climate experts.
Does your air conditioner not turn on or frequently trips the circuit breaker? In older homes especially, circuits can be overloaded if the aircon shares a circuit with other appliances, such as microwaves or fridges. For example, damaged wires can prevent the unit from receiving power. A professional should inspect and repair any electrical issues.
If your fuse has been blown or if the circuit breaker has tripped, a tripped switch can be flicked back into position, but a blown fuse will need a replacement.
How do you fix a blown fuse or circuit breaker? Call a qualified electrician to fix it. Thankfully, the job only takes a few hours so it shouldn’t leave you too much out of pocket. If you’re concerned, reach out to a professional for a quote. Never attempt electrical work yourself.
Switch off your unit and lift the cover. Notice ice forming on the evaporator coils? If the fan blower is damaged, ice forms inside the unit and your space will take a lot longer to cool. What causes ice?
How do you fix ice build-up? Turn off your appliance and wait for the ice to defrost. This process can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours, but this will depend on the amount of ice.
Noises such as whistling or buzzing are never a good sign, but what do they mean? Dirty air filters could be making it harder for your AC to pull in air, or the grille itself may not be fitted properly. This causes the air to bypass the grille and whistle when the fan is on. It’s important to keep filters clean and centred on the grille.
Replacing the AC grille? Undersized return air grilles make the aircon work harder and make it noisier. With this in mind, if you start to hear banging sounds, turn it off straight away. The fan motor or fan motor mounts could be failing and will need a technician to remedy.
Is there steam coming out, or do you smell burning rubber or plastic? Turn off the unit!
Fan controls and compressors wear out over time, especially if your AC is switched off and on all the time.
A compressor can also stop rocking from a broken or faulty capacitor. Without a capacitor, an air con doesn’t work, so it will need a replacement. However, this is a complex fix, so speak to a heating and cooling technician instead of figuring it out yourself.
How do you go about fixing the worn-out compressor? Depending on how long you’ve had your AC, there’s a chance you’ll need a completely new aircon. There’s no point in pouring money into a compressor when the AC is months away from a shutdown.
If your AC isn’t blowing cold air, make sure to set the unit to “cooling” mode on the controller, which is shown with a snowflake next to it. Already in this mode? Check to see if the temperature is low enough for the unit to know it needs to drop the temperature.
Test it by putting the temperature down to 16 degrees on a hot day before putting it up to 24. Is it cool? This counts for heating as well: always check the mode on your controller. The snowflake = cooling, and the sun = heating!
Likewise, during the heating cycle, the unit can push out cold air due to the defrost cycle, which switches to “cooling” mode to allow the outdoor unit to heat up and defrost. There can be controller settings stopping the fan from switching off. Some controllers also allow you to set the fan motor to constant operation regardless of its settings, defrost cycle, or temperature.
How do you fix the AC when in the wrong setting? Change the temperature range and cooling mode on the controller.
Is your AC shutting down a lot on its own? There could be a sign of drain blockage. In some cases, the HVAC system can shut down entirely if the inline safety float switch is triggered.
If you want to get your air conditioner ready for summer, you’ll need to look at the drain line. Also called the condensate drain, this drainage line removes condensation which comes from evaporator coils. So, what are some things you should take note of?
For any suspected clogs, you can take care of it without calling a heating and cooling service, but if you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
To learn more, read Mitsubishi electric air conditioning, a guide to maintenance and repairs!
Let’s look at models you can invest in for your residential or commercial property!
The Mitsubishi MSZ-AP Series is a great way to feel refreshingly cool and cosy at home! From single rooms to smaller properties, it can do it all. What are some of its features?
And if you already own a system, Aust Climate offers a Mitsubishi split systems service and repair!
The Alira X is approved by the National Asthma Council Australia, and it has many great features for your property:
Whether you’re looking for air conditioning in Box Hill, Blackburn, Boronia, Burwood, Camberwell, Caulfield, Doncaster, or Mooroolbark, Aust Climate are specialising who assist with repair and maintenance when you need it.
With 25 years of experience in heating and cooling, Aust Climate is now a leader in the industry. You will have peace of mind knowing our work is covered by VBA compliance and public liability insurance, and we have a 6-year workmanship guarantee.
From electric heating and cooling support in Melbourne to a refrigerated heating and cooling service, Australian Climate Systems has your best interest in mind.
Contact us today for sales and installation, service, repair and maintenance, warranty repairs, an online quote, or to check out our new season products!
