5 Ways to Make Your Air Conditioner Last Longer

Let’s be honest: air conditioners aren’t cheap. When you install a quality Daikin or Mitsubishi Electric system, you want it to last.

Most decent units are built to run for 10 to 15 years. But we often see them die in half that time. Why? Usually, it comes down to two things: neglect and salt.

Living in Newcastle and the Hunter, we have a unique climate. The salt air eats metal, and the high humidity pushes compressors to their limit. If you treat your AC like a “set and forget” appliance, it will fail early.

Here is how you can get maximum mileage out of your system without spending a fortune.

1. The “24 Degree” Rule

This is the most common mistake we see. When it’s 35°C outside, people crank their remote down to 18°C hoping it will cool the room faster.

It won’t.

Air conditioners generally only cool at one speed. Setting it to 18°C just forces the compressor to run non-stop, never cycling off. This builds up massive heat in the outdoor unit and wears out the internal components years before their time.

The Fix: Set it to 23°C or 24°C. This is the sweet spot for efficiency and longevity. Your house will still be cool, but your compressor gets a break.

2. Clean the Filters (Really, Do It)

You’ve heard it before, but do you actually do it?

A blocked filter chokes the system. The fan has to spin faster to pull air through, the motor runs hotter, and your electricity bill goes up. If it gets bad enough, the lack of airflow can actually cause the indoor unit to freeze up into a block of ice.

The Fix:

• Residential: Pop the filters out every 3 months. Rinse them in the laundry tub or hose them off gently outside. Let them dry, then put them back.
• Commercial: These usually need monthly attention.

3. Check the Outdoor Unit (The “Newcastle Factor”)

Your outdoor unit (the condenser) lives a hard life. It sits in the rain, the sun, and—worst of all—the salt spray.

If you live in Merewether, Bar Beach, or anywhere near the coast, salt corrosion is the enemy. It eats the aluminium fins on the heat exchanger. Once those fins crumble, the unit can’t get rid of heat, and the compressor cooks itself.

The Fix:

• Keep it clear: Make sure no shrubs or boxes are blocking the fan. It needs to breathe.
• Wash it: If you’re coastal, gently hose down the casing of the outdoor unit occasionally to wash off salt build-up. (Don’t blast the delicate fins with a pressure washer—you’ll flatten them).
• Rust protection: If you’re buying a new unit, ask us about rust-treatment coatings for the outdoor coil. It adds years to the system’s life in coastal suburbs.

4. Don’t Ignore “Weird” Noises

AC units usually tell you before they die.

• A grinding noise usually means a fan bearing is failing (cheap fix).
• A hissing noise often means a gas leak.
• A rattling noise could be a loose panel or a pipe vibrating against the casing.

If you ignore these, a $200 repair turns into a $3,000 replacement. If it sounds sick, shut it off and call us.

5. The Annual “Health Check”

You service your car to keep it running; your AC is no different.

Modern split and ducted systems run on high-pressure gas and sophisticated electronics. A professional service isn’t just cleaning filters; it involves checking gas pressures, tightening electrical connections (which vibrate loose over time), and checking drain lines to prevent ceiling water damage.

The Verdict: If your system is under 10 years old, look after it, and it will look after you. If it’s over 15 years old and running R22 gas, it might be time to stop spending money on repairs and look at a more efficient modern replacement.

Need a service or just some advice? Give the team at Coles a call on (02) 4957 0221. We’ve been keeping Newcastle cool since 1939.