Air conditioning by Macdonald Air & Electrical
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Hints & facts

Handy tips on getting the best from your air conditioning, solar and electrical — from the team at Macdonald Air & Electrical.

Handy hints

Small things that make a real difference

Service your air conditioner regularly

Every six months to a year, depending on how often it’s used. Regular servicing maintains the life of your air conditioner and decreases energy consumption — which reduces your power bill.

Why an air conditioner makes a popping sound

If the system is being flooded with liquid it can produce popping-like sounds. If the compressor is sucking up liquid refrigerant through the intake side, it can lead to major damage if it isn’t repaired quickly.

Why an air conditioner leaks water inside

The most common cause is a blocked drain with the drip tray overflowing. Other causes include low refrigerant, damaged insulation on the refrigerant pipes, or a cracked drip tray.

When the air conditioner stops cooling

People often assume it has lost refrigerant, but most of the time it’s a fault on the unit. The fan can run on both units while the compressor doesn’t — commonly caused by power surges, or even geckos damaging the electrical components.

LED vs halogen downlights

Swapping halogen downlights for LED alternatives delivers a significant annual saving and usually pays for itself within the first year. LEDs also last far longer than halogens, so you won’t need to replace them as often.

Smart control with MyAir & My Lights

Modern homes can control air conditioning and lighting from a phone. MyAir5 gives full room-by-room control of a ducted system, and smart lighting lets you set scenes and colours throughout the home.

Air conditioning facts

Air conditioning, explained

What types of air conditioning do you install?+
We specialise in air conditioning of all kinds — split systems, multi-head systems, cassette units and ducted air conditioning. With so many brands and configurations available we can explain the pros and cons of each and find a system that best suits your home or business. The right choice depends on how many areas you want to cool, your budget and the layout of the building.
Which air conditioning brands do you work with?+
Mitsubishi Electric is one of our preferred brands because it is an industry leader for split systems, and we also install Daikin, Fujitsu, Panasonic and others. Because we work across multiple brands we can give you genuine advice on the pros and cons of each rather than pushing one product. All Australian-sold air conditioners come with a manufacturer warranty, and we match that with our own workmanship warranty.
How do you work out what size air conditioner I need?+
We measure the space on site so the system is sized correctly for the room or home. Sizing matters — an undersized unit struggles and an oversized one wastes energy — so a site measure is the most reliable way to get it right. From there we recommend a system and explain why it suits your space.
Do you repair air conditioners as well as install them?+
Yes. Our team includes qualified refrigeration mechanics who can help when an air conditioner fails. We carry out a site assessment to diagnose the issue and then advise you on whether a repair or a replacement is the better path. We also repair all major brands, not just the ones we install.
Do you offer air conditioning maintenance?+
Yes, maintenance plans are available. Regular servicing keeps a system running efficiently, extends its life and helps keep running costs down. As a general guide, an air conditioner benefits from a service every six months to a year depending on how often it is used. We can talk you through a maintenance schedule that suits your system.
Can I control my air conditioner from my phone?+
Most modern systems now have WiFi modules available so you can control them easily, and for ducted systems we specialise in MyAir5. That lets you turn the system on or off, adjust airflow and set different temperatures in different rooms from your phone. If smart control matters to you, tell us and we will factor it into the recommendation.
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Got a question we haven’t covered?

Ask our team directly — we’re always happy to give honest, straightforward advice.

Request a Free Quote (07) 3256 3205
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