Air Conditioner Maintenance and Troubleshooting: What Actually Matters
What maintenance does an air conditioner need?
Your air conditioner needs regular filter cleaning, airflow checks, coil cleaning, drain inspections and annual servicing. These tasks help improve efficiency, prevent breakdowns and extend your air conditioners life time.
5 Air Conditioning Maintenance Tasks
You don’t need to be an expert to keep your air conditioner working well but you do need to know what matters.
We’re often called out to fix problems that could’ve been prevented with simple maintenance or solved without tools.
Air Conditioners need regular cleaning and maintenance and you can do some of these tasks yourself, but a yearly professional air conditioner cleaning, will ensure that there will be less reasons for the below faults.
If you are a business, your air conditioners will also need regular aircon servicing to prevent breakdowns
This guide covers the five core tasks you can do, what to leave to the pros, and how to spot early signs of trouble before they become expensive repairs.
Air Conditioner Emergency Checklist
(What to check before calling an emergency technician)
| ⚠️ Symptom | ✅ Safe Checks You Can Do | 🚫 When to Call Us |
| No power / won’t turn on | – Check remote batteries – Check breaker at switchboard | – Breaker won’t reset – Unit is unresponsive |
| Tripping circuit breaker | – Unplug nearby devices on same circuit | – Repeated tripping – Sparks or buzzing heard |
| Burning or smoke smell | – Turn off unit and power at switchboard | – Any burning smell – Visible smoke or heat |
| Water leaking indoors | – Turn unit off – Place bucket/towels under leak | – Water damage visible – Ceiling stains |
| Unit won’t turn off | – Try isolator switch (if installed) | – Fan runs constantly – Remote unresponsive |
| Mouldy or musty smells | – Clean filters if accessible | – Smell persists after filter clean |
| No cooling / warm air only | – Confirm it’s in cooling mode – Check temperature settings | – Warm air despite correct settings |
| Unusual noises | – Note the type of sound (buzz, click, grind) | – Squealing, grinding, or loud buzzing |
1. Clean the Filters (Monthly or As Needed)
Blocked filters are the number one cause of poor airflow in both split and ducted systems.
What to do:
- Open the indoor unit cover
- Remove washable filters
- Vacuum gently or rinse with warm water
- Let them dry fully before replacing
Warning signs:
- Air feels weak
- System runs longer without cooling
- Filters appear grey or dusty
Clean filters improve air quality and efficiency. If you have pets or allergies, clean them more often.
2. Check Outdoor Unit Clearance
Your outdoor condenser needs unrestricted airflow to operate properly.
Look for:
- Leaves, dust or debris buildup around the unit
- Plants or fencing within 300mm
- Dirt caked on the fins or grille
- Insects or rodents nesting under the unit
Keep the area clear, especially before summer starts. If the fins look clogged or bent, give us a call.
3. Check Drainage
Both split and ducted systems extract moisture and that water has to go somewhere.
Signs of a blocked or failing drain:
- Water dripping from the head unit
- Damp spots near vents or ceiling stains
- Musty smells from ducted systems
Blocked drains cause leaks, mould, and wall damage.
We clear and flush them as part of an air conditioning service.
4. Listen for Unusual Noises
A healthy system should be quiet and consistent.
Warning noises include:
- Buzzing or crackling (could mean a failing capacitor)
- Clicking or short cycling (might be a thermostat or board issue)
- Grinding or squealing (usually a fan or motor problem)
If your system sounds off, don’t ignore it. These are early signs of parts wearing out—or failing.
5. Know When to Call for a Service
Some issues are DIY-friendly. Others, you must use a licensed electrician or air con technician
Call us if:
- It’s blowing warm air during cooling mode
- System won’t turn on or turns off too soon
- You see error codes or blinking lights
- Your energy bills suddenly spike
- It’s been more than a year since your last service
We recommend a yearly inspection to clean internal parts, test pressures, and update system logs. Always Ducted AC Servicing or Split System Support for options.
Basic Troubleshooting You Can Do
Sometimes it’s not a breakdown—it’s just a setting or timer issue.
Try these before calling:
System not turning on?
- Check the remote batteries
- Confirm the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped
- Try the wall controller reset
Not cooling properly?
- Check filters
- Confirm it’s not in “fan only” or heating mode
- Look for blocked vents or closed zones
Leaking water?
- Clean filters
- Check for drain clogs (visible moisture under indoor unit = call us)
FAQs
How often should I clean the filters?
Every 1–3 months depending on usage, pets and dust levels.
Is water leaking from my air conditioner normal?
No. It usually means a blocked drain or condensate issue.
What if the remote works but the system doesn’t start?
Check the power at the board. If the breaker is fine, call for a diagnostic.
Do you offer servicing plans?
We offer annual servicing for both ducted and split systems. Ask us during your next visit.
Final Air Conditioner Tips
Most air conditioning issues start small, blocked filters, weak airflow, strange smells but get worse if ignored. A bit of regular care and attention can keep your system running like new, even in Brisbane’s toughest weather.
We’re here if it needs an inspection or repair but in the meantime, this guide will help you take care of your system between visits.
We always explain cleaning and maintenance requirements when we are doing an air conditioning installation
