FAQ's

When you first enter a home or building that is using air conditioning you feel two things in the air, coolness and dryness. Both of these physical sensations are accomplished by the air conditioning unit. Although you feel cooler – that is not actually what the unit does. It removes heat and in the process also pulls moisture from the air. In other words, the air conditioner does not cool the air it removes the heat from the air.

Reverse cycle air conditioning extracts heat from the outside air, even on colder nights, and transfers it inside. The external coil absorbs the heat from the outside air and then pumps it through a compressor inside the home releasing its heat into the room.

There is no denying that R22 refrigerant (specifically hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)) used in most air conditioners is harmful to the ozone layer. As concerns over R22 continue to increase, so does the obligation of owners and operators of equipment that still uses R22. Owners of equipment in commercial applications are now responsible for checking for leaks, record keeping and labelling of equipment using this gas type. Harris Air Conditioning undertakes weekly checks on all storage and delivery systems in relation to R22. In addition, we undertake checks to all our clients’ equipment registered in our Scheduled Maintenance Contracts. If you would like to be added to Harris Air Conditioning Maintenance register please give us a call. (Applies to all size air conditioners, both domestic and commercial.)

Harris Air Conditioning, as part of the Australian air conditioning association, makes every effort to prevent gas leakage and encourages the introduction of R410a or R 32 refrigerant which is much more effective in its cooling capacity and its environmentally friendly status. It is law that by 2020, all air conditioners sold will use R410a or R 32 and the subsequent phasing out of R22 is welcomed.

There is no denying that R22 refrigerant (specifically hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)) used in most air conditioners is harmful to the ozone layer. As concerns over R22 continue to increase, so does the obligation of owners and operators of equipment that still uses R22. Owners of equipment in commercial applications are now responsible for checking for leaks, record keeping and labelling of equipment using this gas type.

Harris Air Conditioning undertakes weekly checks on all storage and delivery systems in relation to R22. In addition, we undertake checks to all our clients’ equipment registered in our Scheduled Maintenance Contracts. If you would like to be added to Harris Air Conditioning Maintenance register please give us a call. (Applies to all size air conditioners, both domestic and commercial.)

Harris Air Conditioning, as part of the Australian air conditioning association, makes every effort to prevent gas leakage and encourages the introduction of R410a or R 32 refrigerant which is much more effective in its cooling capacity and its environmentally friendly status. It is law that by 2020, all air conditioners sold will use R410a or R 32 and the subsequent phasing out of R22 is welcomed.

Like most appliances, an air conditioner needs to be regularly cleaned and maintained. The filters need to be cleaned and the whole system should be serviced every 18 – 24 months or for heavy users every year. Houses that are close to heavy transport or salt air and salt from living in seaside suburbs should have their outdoor system checked regularly.

Commercial systems are best maintained on a monthly or bi monthly basis. A maintenance schedule can be arranged with the service department. If regularly maintained an air conditioner can last up to 10 years. However, when the air conditioner starts having any problems that are not cost-effective to fix, it may be time to replace it

Air conditioners are remarkably reliable, especially when considering that they are put under a significant test every summer. They run for many consecutive hours day after day, and rarely experience any problems. When there is an issue, it is important to quickly diagnose it and know what needs to be done to repair it.

Here are some trouble shooting tips to help get your A/C running prior to logging a Service Call. Of course, if these tips don’t help you can log a service call using this website or call us to make time for a service call.

This may sound obvious, but first stop is to replace the batteries. If the remote still won’t talk to your indoor unit, further diagnosis is required. Harris Air Conditioning keeps a large stock of second hand remote controls for a wide range of units in addition to universal remote controls that our technicians can programme to match your system

This is particularly common following storm activity or black/brown outs. Try turning the unit off at the Isolation switch located next to your condenser (outside unit) usually in a small grey box or from the circuit breaker within your switch board. Leave the unit off for approximately 10 mins then switch it back on. This may reset your system.

Your air conditioner needs to be reset. On a high wall split system, remove the grille to find the reset button and press. In ducted and commercial systems, the reset button is located on the controller.

Filters require cleaning. Depending on the environment or the air purity, in a normal domestic situation clean your filters once every season. In a commercial situation or during periods of heavy use, once every month is recommended.

Wash your filters first, then if it continues leaking, unfortunately, you’ll need to give us a call for this one. It sounds like a blocked drain however it is usually a quick and easy repair.

It is normal for the outside unit to drip water, particularly when operating a window unit or the system is in heating mode. Most units have a drain outlet and coupling supplied should you wish to connect a drainpipe to remove this water to drain at a different location. Remember that air conditioners don’t cool the air, they remove the heat and humidity from the air therefore water as a waste product is normal.

Check that your remote control is set correctly. Ensure that the fan speed is set, the heating / cooling modes are accurate and that the remote is not set to auto. If all this seems to be fine, remove the batteries and reprogram the remote control.