Has Your Air Con Stopped Working In Peak Heat? Here’s What To Do

When your air con stops working during a Gympie heatwave, it can quickly become unbearable. While it’s tempting to panic, many air conditioning issues have simple explanations you can check yourself in about 10 minutes. First, work out if your air con is completely dead (no power, no sound, no airflow) or just not cooling properly (running but blowing warm air). This helps diagnose the issue.

Here’s what you should check before calling for help.

Step 1. Emergency Checklist: Do These First

Power

• Check if the circuit breaker has tripped 
• Check that the wall switch is on
• Replace the batteries in the thermostat

Filter

• Remove the indoor unit filter and check if it’s clogged with dust

Outdoor unit

• Check that there’s a 30cm clearance, otherwise clear any debris

Ice

• If you see ice on the pipes (yes, ice!), turn your system off and let it thaw 2-4 hours

Step 2. Follow Our Quick Decision Guide

Next, check out your issue in the quick decision guide below, to see when to call us for help.

• Breaker keeps tripping → Call TSR
• Unit starts then stops → Clear debris and retry
• No power at all → Call TSR
• Ice on coils → Clean filters, let thaw, retry
• Warm air only → See common causes and next steps below

Common Causes When Your Air Con Stops Working

1. Dirty Air Filters

In hot, dusty Gympie conditions, filters clog fast, and restricted airflow means your system can’t cool properly and may shut down. During peak summer, clean filters every 2-4 weeks. Remove the filter, rinse with water, dry completely, and reinstall. You can also book our professional air conditioner cleaning service to keep your system running efficiently all year long. 

2. Thermostat or Sensor Issues

Check your thermostat is set to “cool” (not “fan”), that your temperature is lower than room temp, and that your controller batteries aren’t flat. If settings are correct but the air conditioner is not turning on, the sensor may be faulty.

3. Blocked Outdoor Unit

Your outdoor unit needs airflow to release heat. We regularly see units blocked by leaves, grass clippings, or dirt, so make sure you clear any debris, ensure your unit has a 30cm clearance, and gently hose off dirt (low pressure only). In extreme heat, blocked units overheat and shut down, so a little clearing and cleaning should go a long way.

4. Frozen Coils

Your air con can freeze even in 40°C heat due to dirty filters or low refrigerant. If this happens to you, turn the system OFF, let it thaw for 2-4 hours, clean the filters, then retry. If it refreezes, call for a service. Don’t turn on again before your scheduled service as running a frozen system can damage the compressor.

5. Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant doesn’t “run out”, so if it’s low, then there’s a leak. Signs include warm air, hissing sounds, ice buildup, or oily residue around the outdoor unit. Refrigerant leak repairs can cost $400-$800 and will require a licensed technician to fix. Call TSR on (07) 5482 8100 to get this sorted.

6. Electrical or Compressor Issues

We’re Gympie locals so we understand just how harsh Queensland weather can be. Heatwaves can expose electrical faults or compressor problems – so keep an eye out for signs such as tripped breakers, clicking sounds, or the unit cutting in and out. Electrical repairs cost $180-$450, while compressor replacements can cost $1,500-$2,800, so if your breaker keeps tripping, don’t reset it – call TSR immediately.

7. The System Can’t Handle It Anymore

Older systems simply struggle in prolonged extreme heat. Last January, a Gympie client’s 12-year-old system failed during a week of 38°C+ days after limping along for two summers. If your unit is over 10 years old and breaks down every summer, it may be that your system just can’t handle the heat. In this case, replacement may be more cost-effective than repairs. 

Our domestic air conditioning team can help you to assess repair vs upgrade options.

While You Wait: Staying Safe in the Heat

• Temporary cooling: Put fans on near damp towels, close blinds on the sunny side of your home, and stay in coolest room
• Business cold room triage: Don’t open the door, and transfer stock to an alternate location, with preference going to perishable items
• Exercise heat safety: Drink water regularly, watch for dizziness, nausea, or rapid heartbeat

When To Call For Emergency Air Conditioning Repair

• Call now: Burning smell, repeatedly tripping breaker, loud grinding, complete failure in extreme heat
• Can wait until morning: Late night shutdown if you have fans, unit is thawing, minor performance issues

Reminder: After-hours emergency call-out fees are $540 plus GST, while call-out fees during normal hours are $140 plus GST. Sometimes waiting saves money without serious discomfort.

Why Regular Servicing Matters

Gympie’s heat, dust, and humidity accelerate wear. Last summer, 70% of our emergency callouts were preventable with routine servicing.

Annual servicing (October-November) prevents breakdowns, improves efficiency by up to 30%, and extends system lifespan by years. Learn more about our service and maintenance options.

Need Help Now?

We’ve been keeping Gympie cool for over 35 years so we know that during peak summer, small problems become major failures if left too long. Book a service now or call us on (07) 5482 8100, for fast support when it matters most. We’re here to help you, 24/7.