Is Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer? Here’s Your Free Air Conditioner Maintenance Checklist

Summer is here, which means your air conditioner is about to work overtime. The problem? Most AC breakdowns happen on the hottest days when you need cooling the most, and when every technician seems to be booked solid.

Here’s the reality: 85-90% of air conditioner replacements happen on an emergency basis. But, did you know that a simple pre-summer check could actually save you from sweltering through the next heatwave?

To ensure your air con is ready for whatever summer throws at it, you should clean or replace your filters, check the condition of your outdoor unit, test your systems performance, inspect the drainage, and, most importantly, book a professional service to check what you can’t DIY.

Let’s walk you through each step now.

The DIY checks: What you CAN do this weekend

1. Clean or replace your filters

Dirty filters are the number one cause of poor performance and high energy bills, especially in coastal areas like the Fraser Coast, where filters collect more dust, salt, and moisture. We recommend that you clean your filters every 2-4 weeks during summer to keep your AC in good shape.

How to do it (don’t worry, it’s simple): 

• Turn off your system
• Remove the front panel
• Take out the filters
• Vacuum or wash the filters with warm soapy water
• Let dry completely (2-3 hours)
• Reinstall 

Tip: Never run your system without filters.

Check our detailed guide on how to clean your air conditioner for more information.

2. Inspect your outdoor unit

Your outdoor unit is up against Queensland’s harsh conditions – salt air, storms, and debris all play their part in making your unit work harder than it should. Look for: 

• Visible corrosion (white, green, or brown deposits)
• Debris blocking the unit
• Bent fins 
• Plant growth within 30cm
• Cabinet damage

Quick fix: Gently rinse with a garden hose to remove salt and debris. Never use a pressure washer as it bends the delicate fins.

3. Test your system’s performance

Don’t wait for a 38°C day to discover your AC isn’t cooling properly.

• Set your thermostat to 22°C
• Run for 15 minutes
• Check that cool air flows from all vents
• Listen for unusual sounds and notice any strange smells

The air from vents should be 10-15°C cooler than room temperature. If not, your system needs professional attention.

4. Check the drainage

Blocked drains can quickly cause water leaks and system shutdowns. Look for:

• Water pooling around your indoor unit 
• Check the condensate drain pipe outside drips freely
• Watch for water stains on walls or ceilings

If your drainage is blocked, then call in TSR to clear them.

When a professional needs to step in

Aside from the above issues, some maintenance tasks need trained technicians and specialised equipment. You’ll need a professional for: 

• Deep coil cleaning
• Refrigerant level checks (only licensed technicians can handle refrigerant legally)
• Electrical connection testing 
• Component inspection 
• Thermostat calibration

These checks are especially important for coastal homes where our unique conditions accelerate wear on your AC.

Why pre-summer servicing matters on the Fraser Coast

Fraser Coast conditions are tougher on air conditioners than inland areas. Salt air accelerates corrosion on outdoor units, high humidity promotes mould growth, and you’re running your AC longer than southern states.

A well-maintained system in Hervey Bay or Gympie might last 10-12 years. A neglected one? Often it’s only 5-7 years before expensive failures occur.

The warning signs that mean “service now”

Some issues need immediate professional attention:

• Weak airflow with clean filters
• System cycling on and off constantly
• Ice forming on coils
• Water leaking inside
• Burning smells
• Loud grinding or banging noises
• Energy bills suddenly spiking

Don’t ignore these signs. Small problems become expensive failures when you force a struggling system through summer heat.

Preventative service vs emergency repairs

Skipping a $180 service might feel like saving money, until you’re facing emergency repair costs in January when every technician is booked for days. Here’s what emergency breakdowns actually cost:

• Emergency callout (after hours): $540 plus GST (before any repairs)
• Hourly rate (during normal business hours): $180 per hour plus GST
• Full system replacement: $2,500-$5,000+ plus GST

Planned, regular maintenance will save you money and days without cooling during peak summer heat.

The real cost of skipping a service

One of our Hervey Bay clients skipped their annual service to save money. During the January heatwave their system failed due to a corroded electrical connection that would have been caught during routine servicing. An $80 part turned into a $540 emergency repair, plus three days without cooling. They now book their service every November.

Beat the Christmas and New Years rush!

Don’t risk being without cooling when you need it most. TSR’s experienced, local technicians understand what our coastal conditions do to air conditioning systems, and we catch problems before they become emergencies.

Contact TSR today or call (07) 5482 8100 to book your summer air conditioning service, and stay cool all summer long.