As the weather shifts throughout the year, your air conditioner becomes an essential part of keeping your home comfortable, cooling you through Australia’s hot summers and warming you during the cooler months. To ensure it performs at its best, it’s important to prepare your system for the demands of each season.
In this blog, we’ll cover simple, practical steps to help you maintain and adjust your air conditioner—from cleaning filters and checking for damage to scheduling maintenance and setting smart controls. With a few seasonal checks, you can keep your unit running efficiently and enjoy year-round comfort.
Types of Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioners
How you clean and maintain your air conditioner will depend on the model, brand and type of unit you own. At Mitsubishi Electric, we offer a range of air conditioners designed to suit your home’s unique needs. The types of air conditioners available at Mitsubishi Electric include:
- Wall-mounted air conditioners: The most common type for houses and offices that is installed on walls.
- Ceiling cassette air conditioners: This high-performing model works well in commercial settings and is also a practical choice for homes or apartments where wall or floor space is limited.
- Bulkhead air conditioners: These units can be discreetly installed in the ceiling or behind a bulkhead. With a compact height of just 200 mm, they are perfect for homes with low ceiling spaces where larger ducted systems won’t fit. Their low profile also makes them ideal for installation in living or family rooms, apartments, or above wardrobes.
- Floor standing air conditioners: A popular choice in colder climates where heating is a priority. These units deliver warmth from floor level, ensuring effective and efficient temperature control. They are also well-suited for rooms with limited high-wall space.
- Ducted air conditioners: A central air conditioning system, with the main unit installed within the ceiling and ducts distributing conditioned air throughout the entire home or office. They offer comprehensive heating or cooling while keeping the unit discreetly hidden.
Each model requires specific maintenance based on its design, so follow the instructions provided by your manufacturer or user manual to ensure proper care.
4 Expert tips to keep your air conditioner running efficiently in summer & winter
Before each seasonal change, follow the four steps below to ensure your unit operates efficiently. This can assist with reducing energy consumption.
1. Clean your filter
Air filters can accumulate a lot of dirt and dust particles, particularly if used regularly in summer and winter peak times. To ensure maximum performance and good air quality, starting each new season with a fresh and clean filter is best. Other than seasonal changes, air filters should be cleaned regularly, depending on the type of air filter. The recommended cleaning schedule for the following air filters includes:
Air Conditioning Filter Cleaning Schedule
If you’re unsure which air filters your unit has or if you’re looking to add an extra filter, take a look at our guide to know what air filters are available in each Mitsubishi Electric model.
How to clean air conditioner filters:
Cleaning air conditioner filters regularly is a simple and quick process, ensuring longevity and high performance. Here’s what you can do:
- Turn off the power: For safety, ensure the unit is switched off, including at the meter box before starting air conditioner maintenance.
- Locate filter: The location depends on the model, but it’s typically found behind a grille or cover.
- Remove filter: Unclick the air filter and detach it from the unit.
- Vacuum filter: Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove loose dust and fluff.
- Wash filter: Rinse it under lukewarm water. For heavier dirt or dust, use a mild detergent, then rinse it clean.
- Dry filter: Allow it to dry completely in a shaded area before reinserting it into the unit.
Follow our step-by-step guide for more detailed instructions on cleaning air conditioner filters.
2. Clean outdoor unit
Your air conditioning system features an outdoor unit exposed to year-round weather conditions. Extreme heat, cold, or harsh weather can lead to dirt buildup or possible damage, potentially obstructing airflow and reducing performance. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the outdoor unit are essential to ensure it operates efficiently and reliably throughout the year. There are a couple of things you can do to maintain your outdoor unit:
- Remove surrounding debris, such as leaves or grass.
- Trim any bushes and remove any household clutter that might prevent good airflow to/from the outdoor unit.
- Hose down the surface to remove dirt, spiderwebs or dust.
- Clean the coils and grilles of the unit. This is typically achieved with the following steps:
- Ensure the unit is turned off
- Use a soft brush or vacuum to clean the fins and coils (be gentle so you don’t bend the fins).
3. Check for signs of damage
Often, your air conditioner presents signs of damage or strain well before it fails. If we are not conscious of these signs before entering a season of increased operation, there’s a chance your unit may breakdown at an unfortunate time, such as in the middle of a hot summer day. Being mindful of the potential symptoms, particularly in preparation for summer and winter, will allow you to fix the issue proactively rather than scrambling at the last minute.
Every few months, make sure to turn your air conditioner on and deliberately look for the following signs:
- Strange noises
- Failure to reach a certain temperature (or it takes a long time)
- Bad odours
- Refrigerant leaks
- Malfunctioning thermostat reading
In the following cases, stop using the air conditioner and consult your dealer.
- When water leaks or drips from the indoor unit.
- When the operation indicator lamp blinks.
- When the breaker trips frequently.
- When the air conditioner’s operation interferes with radio or TV reception (an amplifier may be required for the affected device).
- When an abnormal sound is heard. (Check the Trouble Shooting section of your Operation Manual for what sounds are normal).
- When any refrigerant leakage is found.
4. Schedule a service call with an air conditioning professional
Some maintenance tasks require the expertise of a qualified air conditioning technician. Professionals must hold the appropriate certifications, such as a Full Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Licence, which permits them to work on any air conditioning system, including split systems, regardless of cooling capacity. This license ensures they are qualified to handle all aspects of installing, servicing, repairing, maintaining, and decommissioning air conditioning units. Additionally, a licensed professional must carry out any electrical work to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
If you’ve noticed issues or want to maintain peak efficiency before a new season, scheduling a service call is smart. Regular servicing—at least once a year or bi-annually for heavy usage in summer and winter—can prolong the life of your unit and help improve energy efficiency.
During these appointments, an HVAC technician will conduct thorough inspections and complete a detailed service checklist. To arrange professional maintenance, contact our Customer Care team, who can connect you with a local Accredited Service Provider.
Preparing for Winter
Winter comes as a surprise in Australia, with many homes not being sufficiently insulated, resulting in homes feeling particularly drafty. Preparing your air conditioner to heat your home effectively and efficiently will ensure your home remains comfortable during cold winter nights and mornings without incurring high electricity bills. To learn more about reaching ideal winter comfort, explore our previous blog, which provides 6 insider tips on how to maximise your air conditioner in winter. Here are some things to consider so you can be cosy from the start of winter:
Prevent heat loss: Ensure your air conditioner doesn’t work too hard during the winter, and consider these options to assist your unit in warming the room:
- Draft excluders: Prevents cold air from entering your home through gaps in doors and windows which work against your unit’s efforts to reach a certain temperature. The humble door snake can work wonders to prevent drafts.
- Window seals: Rubber seals attached to window seals help reduce the load on your air conditioner.
- Improved insulation: Enhance your home’s ability to retain heat so it doesn’t have to operate for as long. Consider adding insulation to ceilings, walls and floors where possible. Learn more about insulation options for your home.
Did you know…
“Approximately 25 to 35 per cent of heat loss or gain in a home occurs through the ceiling. Adding insulation to the ceiling can significantly enhance indoor comfort by retaining warmth during winter and keeping the space cooler in summer. If your ceiling space is easily accessible, consider adding or upgrading insulation to achieve a minimum rating of R3 for optimal energy efficiency.”
Source: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Find what temperature to set an air conditioner in winter in Australia: To ensure comfort and cost efficiency, the recommended temperature range is 20°C —26°C. Programming it to a lower temperature that gradually warms your space, instead of setting it too high and then turning it off when you get hot, helps avoid strain on the air conditioner.
“Always consider the outdoor temperature when setting the indoor temperature. The perceived “comfortable” temperature inside a workplace depends on the outside temperature, e.g., if it is 35°C outside, an indoor temperature set at 22°C may seem excessively cold when a person enters the work area – whereas, in winter, an indoor temperature of 22°C may seem quite warm.”
Source: SafeWork NSW
Discover your perfect operation time: It’s advised to turn the air conditioner on 20 minutes before you wake up and turn it off after a couple of hours. Your house should retain the heat for most of the day, creating a snug environment without keeping the unit on all day and night.
In preparation, use Wi-Fi Control to set specific schedules and adjust your air conditioner remotely. Set your unit to activate or deactivate based on your routine, ensuring a comfortable temperature when you wake up or return home. With remote access, you can easily manage your home’s climate for convenience and energy efficiency.
Preparing for summer
Make your home a haven and survive summer without overusing your air conditioner. Whether you want restful sleep without warmth or you need respite after a long trip home from work, ensuring your unit maintains consistent and powerful cooling is a must in the Australian summer. However, this can lead to higher power bills.
If you’re looking for expert guidance on how to avoid this, discover our top tips on reducing costs this summer. To prepare your air conditioner to beat the heat, follow the below practices:
Find your ideal cool temperature: In summer, to maintain energy efficiency, the recommended temperature for your air conditioner is between 22°C and 23°C, which provides gradual comfort throughout the day without straining the unit. This is more efficient than being in a cycle of blasting your unit at the coolest temperature and turning it off when it gets too cold.
Find your perfect operation time: If you come home and try to cool your house after hours of your air conditioner being idle, it will take longer to reach a comfortable temperature as your house has been heating all day. Keeping the home gradually cool throughout the day or for a few hours in the morning helps maintain an ideal temperature while preventing heavy use when you get home.
You can set your cooling schedule in advance using your system’s timer or with Mitsubishi Electric Wi-Fi Control. This feature allows you to activate your unit remotely or program it to run while you’re asleep or away. This feature ensures a comfortable indoor temperature when you arrive home while optimising energy efficiency.
Ensure your home can keep cool for longer: There are many ways you can cool your home that will help reduce the load on your air conditioner. Some things you can do to maintain the perfect balance of comfort and cost-efficiency include:
- Keep the doors to unused rooms closed or use ducted zoning: Avoid cooling your entire home if you don’t need to so your unit doesn’t need to work as hard.
- Close windows, curtains, and shutters to remove heat from sunlight: This will prevent cold air from escaping and warmth from entering the designated space.
- Use ceiling or portable fans: These additional cooling solutions will help circulate the air and help you quickly reach your preferred temperature.
- Improve insulation: Just as insulation helps retain warmth in winter, it also plays a key role in keeping your home cool in summer. Proper insulation in ceilings, walls, and floors reduces heat transfer, helping your air conditioner work more efficiently. Investing in insulation where practical can lead to better temperature control and lower energy costs year-round.
Be ready to conquer the upcoming summer & winter months with Mitsubishi Electric
Ensure your air conditioner remains in prime condition during the peak of summer and winter, and secure your home comfort year-round. You can expect a more reliable and energy-efficient air conditioner by cleaning, inspecting and adjusting your unit before every season.
If you’re looking for a new air conditioner to power up your summer or winter, explore our available range at your local Mitsubishi Electric stockist.
