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Cooling and Heating Troubleshooting
Air conditioner not cooling, heater not warming up, or something making a noise it never used to? Start here. We will help you spot the simple causes you can check yourself, and if it needs a professional, a licensed local technician can be to you same-day in most cases to diagnose it on-site at a fixed price.
- Full Service Scope Checklist
- ARCtick (AU49053)
- 100% Workmanship Guarantee
When a unit stops behaving the way it should, the first question is always the same: is this something I can fix in five minutes, or does it need a technician? This page is built to answer that. Below are the problems we get called out for most on cooling and heating alike, each with the quick checks worth trying before you book. If those do not sort it, a QuickAir technician can diagnose the fault on-site, tell you plainly what is wrong, and fix most problems in the one visit, at a price you know before anyone leaves the depot.
On-Time, Every Time
We turn up when we said we would, or your call-out is on us.
Fixed Pricing Upfront
You'll know the price before we lift a screwdriver. No surprise invoices.
Licensed & ARCtick Certified
Every technician is fully qualified, insured, and ARCtick certified for refrigerant work.
7-Day Same-Day Service
Weekend service? We're booking jobs every day of the week.
Work Out What Is Wrong | Same-Day Diagnosis, ARCtick Certified
A unit that has stopped heating or cooling properly is not always a broken unit. A tripped switch, a filter thick with dust, a controller left on the wrong mode, or a drain that has quietly blocked can all produce the same alarming symptoms as a serious fault, and any of them can be checked in a couple of minutes without a tool in your hand. That is why this page starts with what you can do yourself. Working through a few simple checks first can save you a call-out entirely, and where it cannot, it means the technician who arrives already has a head start on the diagnosis.
When the simple checks come up empty, what you want next is a straight answer, not a sales pitch. A QuickAir technician diagnoses the fault on-site and tells you exactly what is going on, whether that is a part on its way out, a refrigerant issue, or something as small as a setting. If it is a five-minute fix, they will say so. If it is not worth repairing, they will say that too, and let you decide with no pressure either way. It is the same honest assessment two of Australia’s largest insurance groups rely on us for when they need a fault verified, applied to the homeowner trying to work out why the house will not warm up.
- ARCtick Certified Technicians (national accreditation)
- ARCtick certified technicians, Australian Refrigeration Council licence AU-49053
- 100% workmanship guarantee on every job we complete
Common Problems and What to Check First
Whatever your unit is doing, or not doing, there is a good chance it is one of these. Here are the four faults we are asked about most on cooling and heating alike, with the quick checks worth trying before you book a technician.
Running But Not Cooling or Heating
The unit is on but blowing warm when it should be cold, or cold when it should be warm. Check that it is set to the right mode (cooling versus heating) and the temperature is set past the room temperature, then check the filters, as a filter clogged with dust is the single most common cause. If the filters are clean and the mode is right and it still will not hold temperature, it usually points to a refrigerant issue or a failed component, and that needs a technician.
Not Turning On or Cutting Out
Nothing happens when you hit the remote, or the unit runs for a few minutes then shuts itself down. Check the power point and the switchboard for a tripped safety switch, and try fresh batteries in the remote before anything else. If the power is on and it still will not start, or it keeps tripping the power, stop and book a diagnosis, because repeated tripping can point to an electrical fault.
Water Leaking or Dripping
Water pooling under a split system, dripping from a ducted vent, or overflowing from an evaporative unit almost always means a blocked drain, a full drain pan, or a faulty pump. You can safely turn the unit off to stop further water damage, but clearing the internal drain is a technician job. The sooner it is looked at, the less chance of damage to your walls, ceilings or floors.
Strange Noises, Smells or Error Codes
Rattling, grinding, a musty smell through the vents, or a code flashing on the controller are all the system telling you something is wrong. A quick filter clean can settle a musty smell, but a grinding noise, a burning smell, or a persistent error code should not be reset and ignored. Note the exact code and give us a call, and we will tell you what it means.
Quick Checklist:
- Confirm the unit is set to the right mode, cooling or heating, not fan or dry
- Set the temperature well past the current room temperature and give it a few minutes
- Check the power point is on and no safety switch has tripped at the switchboard
- Try fresh batteries in the remote or controller
- Remove and clean the filters, or vacuum off the built-up dust
- Clear any leaves or debris from around the outdoor unit
- Check nothing is blocking the indoor vents or the return air grille
- Turn the unit off at the wall for a minute, then back on, to clear a minor glitch
- Note down any error code showing on the controller before you call
These checks are safe to do yourself and cover the most common simple causes. Do not attempt to open the unit, touch the electrics, or handle refrigerant. If in doubt, leave it to a technician.
We Work on Every System Used in Australian Homes
No matter what’s keeping your home warm or cool, our technicians are trained to service, repair, and install it. If it’s a heating or cooling unit, we know it inside out.
Split System
Evaporative
Gas
Ducted Gas
Hydronic
Ducted Reverse Cycle
All Major AC Brands We Install in Adelaide
Authorised supply and install partners for all major residential and commercial air conditioning brands.
How it Works
Getting a new system installed should be straightforward. Here is exactly how it works, from your first enquiry to a fully commissioned system.
Book online or call us on 1300 730 896. We arrange a free in-home assessment at a time that suits you.
We assess your home, recommend the right system, and give you a clear fixed-price quote on the spot. No obligation, no pressure.
On install day, our ARCtick-certified team completes the full fit-off to Australian Standards, tidy, on time and with care for your home.
We test and commission the system, walk you through the controls, register the warranty, and back the work with our 5-year workmanship guarantee.
Trusted by homeowners across Australia.
Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling?
There are a few common causes, and some you can check yourself. Make sure it is set to cooling mode with the temperature well below the room temperature, then check the filters, as a filter clogged with dust is the most common culprit and starves the unit of airflow. Also check nothing is blocking the outdoor unit. If the filters are clean, the mode is right, and it still will not cool, it usually points to something like ice build-up, a blocked drain, a dirty compressor or low refrigerant, and those need a technician. Call us on 1300 730 896 and we can diagnose it on-site, often fixing a straightforward cause in the same visit.
My heater is running but blowing cold air. What is wrong?
First, check the obvious: confirm the controller is set to heating and not fan-only, set the temperature above the room temperature, and give it a few minutes, as some systems take time to warm up. Check the filters too, since a blocked filter restricts warm airflow. If it is a reverse cycle unit stuck in a defrost cycle on a cold morning, it can blow cool briefly and then recover. If none of that helps and it keeps blowing cold, the fault needs diagnosing, and with a gas heater we will also carry out a carbon monoxide test as part of the visit for your safety.
My unit is leaking water. Is it an emergency?
It is not usually dangerous, but it is worth acting on quickly to avoid damage to your walls, ceilings or floors. Water pooling under a split system, dripping from a ducted vent, or overflowing from an evaporative unit almost always means a blocked drain, a full drain pan, or a faulty pump. The safe step you can take is to turn the unit off to stop more water coming through. Clearing the internal drain is a technician job, so book a diagnosis and we will find the source and clear it properly.
There is an error code on my controller. What does it mean?
Error codes differ by brand and model, and a flashing code is simply the system telling you which area the fault is in. The most useful thing you can do is note the exact code before you call, then give us a ring on 1300 730 896. Do not just reset the unit and keep running it, as a code that keeps returning points to an underlying fault that will not fix itself. Our technicians read and interpret error codes across all major brands and fix the underlying cause rather than just clearing the code.
Should I try to fix it myself or call a technician?
The simple checks on this page, things like the mode, the temperature setting, the power, the remote batteries and the filters, are all safe to try yourself and solve a good number of problems. Where we draw the line is anything involving opening the unit, the electrics, gas or refrigerant. That work is licensed for a reason and is not safe to attempt at home. So if the easy checks have not fixed it, or the unit keeps tripping the power, smells like burning, or has a gas component, stop there and book a diagnosis. We can get a licensed technician to you same-day in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trying to work out what is wrong before you book? These are the troubleshooting questions Australian homeowners ask us most. If yours is not here, call us on 1300 730 896 and we will talk it through.
6-Months Interest-Free Finance Available
Big repair or new install? Spread the cost of your new system with 6 months interest-free through Humm90. Most applications are approved the same day over the phone, and our team will walk you through it. Learn more on our finance page
Areas We Serve
We’re not a referral service or a quote-aggregator. Every QuickAir technician is a vetted, licensed professional working under our brand and our guarantee. Click your nearest city to see local availability and book.
Select your state to see the cities and suburbs we cover:
Don’t see your area listed? We’ve still likely got someone nearby. Call 1300 730 896 to check.
Still Not Sorted? Book a Diagnosis and We Will Find the Fault.
- Same-day bookings available.
- Most faults fixed in the one visit
- 100% workmanship guarantee.