Common Causes of Commercial AC Repair Calls in Canberra

With Canberra’s unpredictable weather, cool evenings followed by hot days, air conditioners get pushed to their limit, especially as we move towards summer. When something starts to fail, it can turn urgent quite fast.

Commercial AC repair calls spike as spring turns to summer. But the issues behind most breakdowns are pretty similar across businesses. Spotting these causes early puts Canberra businesses in control and saves last-minute stress. Knowing what to look for means your staff and customers stay cool without interruption.

Dirty or Blocked Filters
Dust is a constant for Canberra businesses, and commercial air conditioners running for long stretches pull it in even faster. Filters in busy spaces, think retail, hospitality, or clinics, can clog up quickly and go from working fine to struggling in just a few weeks.

When filters are blocked, airflow drops and some rooms heat up faster than others. The system must work harder, which can make it noisy, overheat internal parts, and even shorten the lifespan of major components. If your business is on a main street, near construction, or sees lots of daily foot traffic, check filters often. AGA Air Conditioning often finds filter problems in spring, right before the real summer workload kicks in.

Electrical or Wiring Problems
Electrical issues often creep up quietly. Loose wires, worn connectors, or aging circuit boards can suddenly trip the system or cause flickering lights when the unit starts. If your air conditioner is shutting off, making odd noises, or you spot flickering power when it kicks in, the fault might be buried in the wiring.

Older buildings can be at higher risk, especially those with original electrical fit-outs or lots of additions over the years. Any recent changes, like adding new fridges, lights, or computers, can up the pressure on the system. A burning smell or buzzing noise at start-up is always worth a fast check.

AGA Air Conditioning’s repair technicians are used to sorting out Canberra’s mix of new and old buildings, giving businesses a clear answer when systems cut out with little warning.

Refrigerant Issues and Leaks
Without the right amount of refrigerant, even the biggest commercial units won’t cool properly. Sometimes you’ll notice airflow is fine, but the air just isn’t cold. Tiny leaks aren’t always clear until the system underperforms across whole zones or the first sign is rooms that just don’t cool like they used to.

A faint hiss, slow cooling, or one area not keeping up are common signs. Canberra’s hot, dry summers can make a small leak much worse since the system might run even harder to make up for lost performance. Technicians need to check refrigerant pressure, seal leaks properly, then top up the gas to get things back to normal. This isn’t a do-it-yourself job, a professional must handle refrigerants safely and in line with current rules.

AGA Air Conditioning always looks for leaks as part of commercial AC repair, helping to prevent bigger issues during busy trade periods.

Thermostat Faults or Sensor Misreads
Thermostats control when and how long a system runs. If the sensor is in the wrong spot, say, too close to a window, a hot kitchen, or a drafty door, temperature readings get thrown off. The unit could run longer than needed, or cycle on and off all day without ever finding the right balance.

Modern digital thermostats and old dial types can both have problems. Some misread temperature if a door is left open, while others lose calibration over time. Large multi-zone systems or offices with glass walls often show these issues first, especially if one part of the building always feels warmer.

If your building’s temperatures never seem right or zones cool unevenly, it’s likely a sensor or thermostat needs adjusting or replacing.

Physical Wear from Constant Use
Running a commercial air conditioning system day after day wears down parts over time. Motors, fan blades, belts, and bearings all take a hit after years of use, especially as summer temperatures force the system to work overtime.

Worn-out components make extra noise, cause the system to vibrate, or even turn on and off for no obvious reason. Most commercial systems in Canberra show their age after five to seven years of running full-time without substantial work. If your system hasn’t had regular service, the start of spring is a good moment to get ahead of wear before a heatwave pushes it to the edge.

AGA Air Conditioning offers commercial maintenance and repair for both ducted and split systems, targeting these high-wear parts and helping businesses avoid breakdowns during busy months.

How Staying Ahead Helps Business Keep Cool
Most commercial AC repair jobs in Canberra are about fixing problems that built up slowly, months before the breakdown happened. Regular checks tackle dirt, leaks, worn parts, and sensor faults before they become a major problem.

You get three main benefits when you plan ahead:

- Quicker repairs and easy parts access before summer crowds hit

- Fewer unplanned stoppages, which means smoother trading days

- Comfortable working conditions, safer environments, and happier customers

Spring is the best time for business owners to schedule a systems check. You avoid summer stress, reduce the chances of unscheduled downtime, and keep everyone under your roof cool and comfortable all season.

Feeling warm spots, strange sounds or weak airflow from your cooling system? These signs usually mean wear and tear that’s built up over time. At AGA Air Conditioning, we help Canberra businesses stay on top of faults before they cause bigger problems. Our approach to commercial AC repair finds the cause early and gets things back on track quickly. If something feels off, we’re ready to take a look.