Elderly in the cold amid cost crisis
2 October 2026
Summer is just around the corner, and with Adelaide’s hot weather on the way, now is the perfect time to make sure your air conditioner is ready to keep you comfortable.
After months of cooler weather, your air conditioning system may not have been used for cooling since last summer. While everything might have been working perfectly when you last switched it off, dust build-up, blocked filters and unnoticed faults can affect its performance when you need it most.
The last thing anyone wants is to discover their air conditioner isn’t cooling properly during a 40°C Adelaide heatwave!
Fortunately, there are a few simple checks you can carry out before the heat arrives.
Here are eight things to check to help prepare your air conditioner for summer.
1. Clean Your Air Conditioner Filters
One of the simplest and most important maintenance tasks is checking your air conditioner’s filters.
Over time, dust, pet hair and other airborne particles can accumulate in the filters, restricting airflow and making it harder for your system to circulate cool air throughout your home.
Dirty filters can contribute to:
- Reduced airflow from your vents
- Poor cooling performance
- Increased energy consumption
- Additional strain on your air conditioning system
For split systems, filters are generally located behind the front panel of the indoor unit. Ducted systems usually have a return air filter located in a ceiling or wall grille.
Our tip: Check your filters before summer and clean them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure washable filters are completely dry before reinstalling them.
If your filters are damaged or excessively dirty, they may need replacing.
2. Test Your Air Conditioner Before the First Hot Day
Don’t wait until Adelaide experiences its first major heatwave to discover your air conditioner isn’t working properly.
Instead, choose a mild or warm day to give your system a test run.
Set your air conditioner to cooling mode, select a temperature below the current room temperature and allow it to operate for approximately 15–20 minutes.
During this time, check whether:
- Cool air is coming from the indoor unit or vents
- The airflow feels normal
- The outdoor unit is operating as expected
- There are any unusual noises or smells
- The system displays any error codes
Keep in mind that the outdoor unit may take a few minutes to start, depending on the system.
Our tip: Testing your air conditioner early gives you time to organise a professional inspection or repair before the busiest part of summer.
3. Check Your Outdoor Unit for Obstructions
Your outdoor air conditioning unit plays an essential role in removing heat from your home.
To do this effectively, it needs sufficient airflow around it.
During winter and spring, leaves, dirt, grass clippings and other debris can accumulate around the outdoor unit.
Overgrown plants, stored items and other obstructions can also restrict airflow, potentially reducing cooling efficiency.
Before summer, take a look around your outdoor unit and check for:
- Leaves and debris around the unit
- Overgrown plants or shrubs
- Items stored too close to the unit
- Obstructions around the air intake and discharge areas
Our tip: Keep the area around your outdoor unit clear and maintain the clearances recommended by the manufacturer.
You can remove loose debris from the surrounding ground, but avoid opening the unit, touching electrical components or using a high-pressure cleaner.
If the condenser coil is heavily contaminated, professional cleaning may be required.
4. Check Your Airflow and Ducted Air Conditioning Zones
If you have ducted reverse cycle air conditioning, it’s worth checking that cool air is reaching the rooms you want to use.
Over time, issues such as damaged ductwork, disconnected ducts or faulty zone motors can affect how air is distributed throughout your home.
During your test run, walk through the house and check whether:
- Air is coming from the expected outlets
- Each zone opens and closes correctly
- Airflow is reasonably consistent
- Any rooms are noticeably warmer than others
Some variation between rooms is normal, particularly where sunlight, insulation and room size differ.
However, if a room that previously cooled effectively is suddenly receiving very little airflow, there may be an issue requiring attention.
Our tip: If a zone isn’t responding or an outlet has little to no airflow, contact a qualified technician rather than attempting to access or repair the ductwork yourself.
5. Check Your Thermostat and Controller Settings
Sometimes, an air conditioner that appears to be underperforming may simply have an incorrect setting.
Before summer arrives, familiarise yourself with your controller and make sure everything is operating as expected.
Check that:
- The system is set to Cooling Mode, usually indicated by a snowflake symbol
- The selected temperature is appropriate
- The fan setting is suitable
- Any timers or schedules are correct
- Your Wi-Fi controller or app is connected, if applicable
For many households, a cooling temperature around 22–25°C is a sensible starting point, although personal comfort, humidity and home conditions will vary.
Setting your air conditioner to 16°C won’t necessarily cool your home any faster. In most systems, it simply tells the air conditioner to continue cooling towards a much lower temperature.
Our tip: Start with a comfortable, energy-conscious temperature and make small adjustments as needed.
6. Look Out for Unusual Noises, Smells or Water Leaks
When testing your air conditioner, pay attention to anything that seems different from its normal operation.
Unusual noises, unpleasant smells or water appearing where it shouldn’t can indicate that something needs attention.
Some warning signs include:
- Grinding, rattling or squealing noises
- Persistent musty or unpleasant odours
- Water dripping from the indoor unit
- Error codes appearing on the controller
- The system repeatedly stopping unexpectedly
- Noticeably weaker cooling than usual
A brief dusty smell after a period of inactivity can sometimes occur, but persistent odours shouldn’t be ignored.
A strong burning smell, smoke or other signs of an electrical fault require immediate attention. Switch the system off if safe to do so and arrange professional assistance.
Our tip: Don’t ignore a small problem in the hope that it will disappear. Identifying faults early may help prevent more inconvenient breakdowns during summer.
7. Prepare Your Home to Keep the Cool Air Inside
Even a well-maintained air conditioner can struggle to keep a home comfortable if heat is constantly entering.
Adelaide’s summer sun can place significant demand on cooling systems, especially in homes with large windows, poor insulation or rooms exposed to afternoon sunlight.
Fortunately, there are several ways to help your air conditioner work more effectively.
Consider:
- Closing curtains and blinds on sun-exposed windows
- Using external shading where available
- Checking door and window seals for draughts
- Keeping doors and windows closed while cooling
- Using ceiling fans to improve air circulation
- Making sensible use of ducted air conditioning zones
Ceiling fans can be particularly helpful because moving air can make occupants feel cooler, allowing some households to use a slightly higher thermostat setting.
Our tip: Reducing the amount of heat entering your home can make a noticeable difference to comfort and cooling demand, particularly during extended hot weather.
8. Book an Air Conditioning Service Before the Summer Rush
While homeowners can carry out basic checks and filter cleaning, some maintenance tasks require a qualified professional.
A professional air conditioning service can help identify issues that may not be obvious during normal operation.
Depending on the system and service required, a technician may inspect:
- Indoor and outdoor unit condition
- Airflow and filter condition
- Electrical connections and components
- Condensate drainage
- System operation and performance
- Signs of wear or developing faults
Regular servicing can help maintain system performance, identify potential problems and support the long-term reliability of your air conditioner.
It’s important to remember that servicing cannot guarantee a system won’t break down, but it can help identify issues before they become more serious.
Our tip: Don’t leave your servicing until the middle of a heatwave. Booking ahead of summer can make it easier to have your system checked before demand increases.
Why Preparing Your Air Conditioner Before Summer Matters
Adelaide summers can bring extended periods of hot weather, with temperatures occasionally climbing above 40°C.
During these conditions, air conditioners can be required to operate for long periods, particularly in homes exposed to strong afternoon sun.
If your system has restricted airflow, dirty filters or an underlying fault, those problems may become more noticeable as outdoor temperatures rise.
Preparing early can help you:
- Identify cooling problems before the hottest weather
- Improve airflow and everyday comfort
- Reduce unnecessary energy consumption
- Address maintenance issues before they worsen
- Feel more confident that your system is ready for summer
It’s also worth remembering that air conditioners have operating limits. Even a correctly functioning system may take longer to cool a home during extreme heat, especially where insulation or shading is inadequate.
Get Your Air Conditioner Summer-Ready with Morphett Air
At Morphett Air, we’ve been helping South Australians stay comfortable for more than 50 years.
Whether you have a split system or ducted reverse cycle air conditioner, our experienced team can assist with servicing, fault diagnosis, repairs and replacement systems.
If your air conditioner hasn’t been checked in a while, or you’ve noticed something unusual during your pre-summer test run, now is a great time to get it looked at.
Don’t wait until the next Adelaide heatwave to find out your air conditioner isn’t working properly!
Contact Morphett Air to discuss your air conditioning needs and get ready for the warmer months ahead.
📍 602 Marion Road, Park Holme SA
When it’s too hot or cold to bare, reach for the Morphett Air! ❄️☀️
