If water or storm damage reached the unit
Don't switch on an outdoor unit that's been under water, or one with storm damage to its casing or cable, until a licensed technician or electrician has checked it. Turn it off at the switchboard only if you can reach the board safely and the area is dry. Never open the covers or touch the wiring yourself.
Why Rockhampton systems break when they do
Heat at the edge of the unit's range
The average January's hottest day at the Bureau of Meteorology's Rockhampton station is 38.1 degrees, and the record is 45.3. Mitsubishi Electric says the cooling effect may not be enough when it's very hot outside, and ActronAir says capacity drops above 35 degrees. A unit that falls behind late on a scorching afternoon may be undersized rather than broken.
Cyclones and power cuts
As Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia moved south in February 2015, more than 60,000 homes lost power across Yeppoon, Rockhampton and Bundaberg, and ABC News reported nearly 700 properties damaged in the Rockhampton region. Get Ready Queensland says the cyclone season officially runs from 1 November to 30 April.
The Fitzroy floods
Rockhampton's record Fitzroy flood reached 10.11 m in 1918, and Wikipedia notes several large floods and cyclones since European settlement. Get Ready Queensland recommends raising air conditioner units above the flood level in flood-prone homes.
Checks to run before you book
Wait out the restart
After a power cut, Mitsubishi Electric's units won't start for about 3 minutes, to protect themselves. Give it that long before deciding it's dead.
Check the breaker, once
If the air conditioner's breaker has tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, Mitsubishi Electric says to stop using the unit and have it checked.
Check the settings
Mode on cool, the fan up high, fresh batteries in the remote, and no timer or sleep setting switched on.
Check the airflow
Clean filters, nothing blocking the indoor vents, and the outdoor unit clear of leaves and anything stored against it. Close the room's windows and doors.
What makes a repair here bigger or smaller
A blocked drain or a failed sensor is usually a short job. A fan motor or circuit board means waiting for a part, and a refrigerant leak means finding it, fixing it and testing before any gas goes back in. The ARC says topping up before the leaks are found and repaired is illegal, so be wary of anyone offering a quick regas.
A unit that's been under floodwater is the biggest unknown. It needs a full check before it runs again, and sometimes it isn't worth saving, so get the findings in writing. If it's old as well, compare it with a replacement: Solar Victoria says a system more than 15 years old typically uses more than three times the energy of a modern reverse cycle unit. Warranty rules and error codes are on our main repairs page.
Who can repair it in Queensland
The QBCC counts repairing an air conditioner as mechanical services work, and that needs a QBCC licence whatever the job's size. Refrigerant work needs a full RAC01 licence holder. The QBCC says a restricted electrical licence for air conditioning technicians covers testing, repairing and maintaining the equipment, but not new electrical installation work.
Where we have them, licence-checked local technicians who repair your type of system see repair jobs, and your contact details go to the one who takes yours. We'll tell you if we don't have anyone.
Yours, and the technician's
You can
- Switch the unit off at the isolator if there's a burning smell or an abnormal noise.
- Photograph any storm or flood damage for your insurer before anything's moved.
- Find the warranty card and the original invoice.
Leave to a licensed installer
- Diagnosing the fault, and anything inside the casings.
- Refrigerant leaks and recharging.
- Checking a flood or storm-affected unit before it's restarted.
Ask before you agree to the repair
- What's the fault, and how did you find it?
- Is the unit undersized for these summers, or is something actually broken?
- If it's refrigerant, where's the leak?
- What's your QBCC licence number?
What we'd do
Where we'd start in Rockhampton
Run the basic checks, give it a few minutes after any power cut, and read the warranty card. If it's still covered, call the brand or your installer first. Otherwise we'd get a repair specialist to diagnose it and put the fault and fix in writing, and for a flood-affected or very old unit we'd ask for a replacement quote alongside. Our Rockhampton page has more on the town.
