Aircon Servicing & Repair in Brisbane

A musty smell means mould or bacteria on the evaporator coil or in the drain pan — fixed with a chemical wash. A burning smell can be dust on a heater element or a failing motor and is worth an inspection. A vinegar-like or chemical smell can indicate a refrigerant leak; turn the unit off and call a technician.

Most charge a call-out or diagnostic fee that covers travel and the first inspection; many waive or credit it against the repair if you go ahead. Confirm the fee, whether it is credited, and any surcharge for evenings, weekends, or urgent same-day visits before the technician is dispatched.

Check the simple things first: thermostat mode and setpoint, dirty filters, and blocked outdoor unit airflow. If those are fine, the usual culprits are low refrigerant from a leak, a failed capacitor or fan motor, or a dirty coil. Low refrigerant always means a leak — a technician should find and fix the leak, not just top up the gas.

Refrigerant does not get used up — if the level is low, there is a leak. A proper job is leak detection, repair, then regas, which costs several times a plain top-up but stops the problem recurring. Be wary of any technician who suggests routine annual top-ups.

Once a year is the minimum for a system used seasonally; every 3-4 months if you run it daily in a hot climate. Regular servicing keeps coils and filters clean, which protects the compressor — the most expensive part to replace — and keeps energy use down.

A common rule: if the repair costs more than half the price of a new unit, or the system is over 10-12 years old and needs a compressor or coil replacement, replace it. Newer inverter units are typically 30-50% more efficient, so heavy users recoup part of the cost through lower bills.

A standard single-split service runs $100-$200; a deep clean of the indoor head is $150-$300. Ducted system services cost more, typically $180-$350. Prices spike in December-February, so book in spring.

In most states, maintenance and repair of a supplied air conditioner is the landlord's responsibility, while tenants are expected to clean filters. Report faults in writing; urgent repairs (e.g. no cooling in extreme heat where AC is provided) have fast-track provisions in several states.