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Air conditioner repair is in high demand every Adelaide summer, usually on the hottest days, when systems are working hardest. Some faults are simple, such as a blocked filter or drain, while others need a licensed technician to find a refrigerant leak or electrical fault. Knowing what to check first can save time and help you describe the problem clearly.
SuperFox is an enquiry service. We pass your enquiry to one local air-conditioning technician, who calls you back, diagnoses the fault and quotes. For more on air-con in Adelaide, see our air conditioning Adelaide hub.
Common air conditioning faults
| Symptom | Possible causes |
|---|---|
| Running but not cooling | Dirty filter, low refrigerant (leak), dirty coil, outdoor fan or compressor fault |
| Water leaking indoors | Blocked condensate drain, iced coil, unit not level |
| Won’t turn on | Tripped breaker or safety switch, remote or controller fault, board failure |
| Error code flashing | Sensor, communication or refrigerant fault |
| Ice on pipes or coil | Restricted airflow or low refrigerant |
| Loud rattling or squealing | Loose panels, worn fan motor or bearings |
| Bad smell | Mould on the coil or fan, blocked drain |
| Outdoor unit not running | Electrical fault, capacitor or compressor failure |
Our guide on an aircon leaking or not cooling goes into the two most common complaints in more detail.
What to check before you book
These checks are safe and can solve a surprising number of problems:
- Settings. Make sure it’s on Cool (not Fan or Dry) and the set temperature is below room temperature.
- Remote batteries and controller display.
- Filters. Remove and clean dirty filters following the manual.
- Switchboard. Check whether the air-con breaker or safety switch has tripped. Reset it once; if it trips again, leave it off.
- Outdoor unit. Make sure it’s clear of leaves, plants and stored items.
- Error code. Write down the exact code, brand and model.
Don’t remove covers, touch electrical parts or attempt anything involving refrigerant. If the system trips the power repeatedly, smells of burning or sparks, switch it off at the switchboard and treat it as urgent; our emergency electrician page explains how urgent enquiries work.
What’s involved in an aircon repair
- Diagnosis. The technician runs the system, reads error codes, measures temperatures, pressures and electrical values, and inspects both units.
- Explanation and quote. You’re told what’s wrong and the options: repair, replace a component, or replace the system.
- Repair. Common jobs include clearing drains, cleaning coils, replacing sensors, capacitors, fan motors or control boards, and finding and fixing refrigerant leaks.
- Leak repair and regas. If refrigerant is low, the leak should be found and repaired before the system is evacuated and recharged.
- Testing to confirm the system is cooling and heating properly.
Some parts need to be ordered, which can mean a second visit, particularly for older or less common brands.
Air conditioner repairs in Adelaide
Adelaide’s hot summers expose weaknesses. A unit that coped in spring may fail on a 40 °C afternoon, when the compressor and outdoor fan work hardest. Outdoor units in full western sun, in narrow side passages or on hot roofs run hotter still. Coastal salt air corrodes coils and connections, and dust storms clog outdoor coils.
Demand for repairs is heaviest during heatwaves, so if your system is struggling in late spring, it’s worth arranging a repair or air conditioning service before the hot weather arrives.
Repair or replace?
Repair usually makes sense when the unit is relatively young, the fault is minor and parts are available. Replacement is often better when:
- the compressor has failed on an older system
- the unit uses a refrigerant that is harder to source
- repairs are becoming frequent
- the unit is undersized for the room
If replacement is the better option, see split system air conditioner installation or ducted air conditioning.
What affects the price of air conditioner repair?
We don’t publish prices; the technician explains their charges and quotes before carrying out repairs. Factors include:
- Call-out and diagnosis charges
- The fault and parts needed
- Refrigerant leak finding and regassing
- Access to roof-mounted units or ducted systems in tight roof spaces
- Brand and parts availability
- After hours or weekend work
Our guide to plumber and electrician call-out fees explains how call-out charges generally work for trades.
Licences and what to ask the technician
Repair work involving refrigerant must be done by a technician holding a refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), known as ARCtick. The ARC notes that a restricted split-system installation licence doesn’t cover servicing or repairs, which need a full refrigeration and air-conditioning licence. You can check a licence at lookforthetick.com.au. Electrical repairs need a licensed electrician, and electrical licences in SA can be checked on the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) public register.
Ask the technician:
- What ARC licence do you hold?
- What’s the diagnosis charge, and is it included if I go ahead with the repair?
- If refrigerant is low, will you find and fix the leak?
- Is the unit still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty?
- Is repair worthwhile, or would replacement be better value?
Getting your air-con repaired
Send one enquiry through the contact form or call 08 6800 6079. Include the brand, model, any error code and what the unit is doing. We pass the details to one local air-conditioning technician, who calls you back within 24–48 hours to arrange a diagnosis and quote.