5 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Electrical Servicing

Avoid unexpected AC breakdowns and fire hazards. Discover the top 5 electrical warning signs for your air conditioner and learn how professional servicing from Aquila Electrical in Adelaide ensures safety, efficiency, and peace of mind.

When Adelaide summers heat up, a reliable air conditioner isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. Many homeowners assume a noisy or poorly cooling AC is a mechanical problem, but a surprising number of breakdowns are caused by electrical issues. Ignoring electrical faults can lead to higher power bills, repeated failures, or even fire risk. Below is a clear, user-friendly guide to help you spot the most common electrical warning signs and explain what a professional electrical service from Aquila Electrical includes.

Why Electrical Servicing Matters for your Air Conditioner

Air conditioners have more than just refrigerant and fans; they rely on electrical components like capacitors, relays, wiring, contactors, and control boards. When those parts start failing, the whole system behaves poorly. Regular electrical servicing:

Improves efficiency and reduces energy bills
Prevents small faults from becoming major (and costly) repairs
Extends the life of your AC unit
Reduces safety risks such as overheating or electrical fires

If you live in Adelaide and rely on your AC during hot months, timely electrical checks are one of the best ways to avoid an emergency breakdown.

5 Warning Signs Your Air Conditioner needs Electrical Servicing

1. Your air conditioner trips the circuit breaker frequently

If your AC trips the breaker every time it starts (or often while running), that’s a clear electrical signal that something is wrong. Possible causes include:

An overloaded circuit, the AC draws more current than the circuit can safely supply.
Short circuit, damaged wiring, or a failed electrical component creating a fault.
A failing start capacitor or motor draws extra current when it’s weak or faulty.

What to do: Don’t keep resetting the breaker and running the AC, this can damage components and is a safety hazard. Call a licensed electrician to diagnose the root cause and fix wiring, replace faulty parts, or recommend a circuit upgrade if needed.

2. The AC won’t turn on, or it turns off randomly

If the unit refuses to start, or it powers on and then unexpectedly shuts off, the cause might be electrical rather than mechanical. Common culprits:

Faulty thermostat or control board
Loose or corroded wiring connections
Defective contactor, relay, or capacitor
Intermittent power supply to the outdoor unit

What you can check: confirm the thermostat batteries (if applicable), ensure the unit has power at the isolator switch, and check the home’s main switchboard for any obvious issues. If basic checks don’t fix it, book a professional inspection. Intermittent faults are often best found with proper testing equipment.

3. You smell burning or unusual electrical odours from the unit

A burning smell or an electrical, plastic, or metal-burning odour coming from the indoor or outdoor unit is serious. This can indicate:

Overheated wiring or terminals
Insulation melting around wires.
Motor windings overheating or burning out.
Burnt-out capacitors or circuit boards

What to do: Turn the AC off immediately at the switch and call a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to open the unit yourself. Burning smells require urgent attention to prevent fire or further damage.

4. Unusual electrical noises, buzzing, crackling or popping

While some mechanical sounds are normal, electrical noises like buzzing, crackling, or popping often indicate a failing electrical component, such as:

A worn or failing capacitor
A contactor or relay with pitted contacts
Loose wiring or poor terminal connections

These sounds typically come from the outdoor unit’s electrical compartment. Left unattended, the offending component can fail completely and cause the compressor or fan motor to stop working.

What to do: Schedule an electrical service. An electrician will safely access the electrical compartment, test components, and tighten or replace parts as needed.

5. The AC blows warm air or struggles to cool consistently

Reduced cooling performance can be caused by many things (low refrigerant, blocked coils, dirty filters), but when cooling is inconsistent and other mechanical faults aren’t present, electrical problems are often at play:

A weak or failing compressor start/run capacitor can prevent the compressor from starting properly.
Faulty wiring to the compressor or outdoor fan can reduce performance.
Control board issues can cause erratic behaviour and incorrect fan/compressor operation.

What to do: If you’ve ruled out simple mechanical reasons (clean filters, unobstructed airflow), call an electrician who can test capacitors, motor currents and control circuitry to isolate the issue.

What a Professional Air Conditioner Electrical Servicing Includes

When Aquila Electrical inspects your AC, here’s what we check and why it matters:

Full electrical safety inspection verifies wiring, isolators and circuit protection are safe and compliant.
Capacitor and fuse testing: capacitors commonly fail and affect starting and operation.
Wiring and terminal checks tighten, replace or insulate any corroded/loose connections.
Contactor and relay inspection ensures switching devices operate correctly and aren’t pitted.
Control board diagnostics test for faults or error codes and replace if required.
Performance and efficiency assessment measures current draw and compares it with manufacturer specs to spot hidden problems.

We use certified tools and follow safety standards so that your system runs reliably and safely.

The Dangers of Ignoring Electrical Issues

Putting off electrical repairs may seem like a way to save money short-term, but it can lead to:

Higher energy bills due to inefficient operation
More expensive repairs when a small fault causes compressor failure or other major damage
Sudden total system failure during peak heat (when you need it most)
Fire risk from overheated wiring or components

Timely servicing avoids these risks and keeps your family comfortable and safe.

How Often Should You Schedule Electrical Servicing?

For most homes, an annual electrical check for the air conditioner is recommended ideally before the summer season. If your AC is older or you notice any of the warning signs above, call sooner. Preventive maintenance is always cheaper and less disruptive than emergency repairs.

Practical homeowner tips between services:

Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and debris.
Don’t overload the circuit with other heavy appliances.
Change filters regularly.
Be attentive to new smells, trips or noises and report them early.

Why Choose Aquila Electrical in Adelaide?

At Aquila Electrical, we combine local knowledge with certified electricians in Adelaide who specialise in residential AC electrical faults. We offer:

Fast, reliable response across Adelaide
Licensed and insured electricians experienced with split systems and ducted units
Transparent pricing and honest recommendations
Safety-first approach and clear reports of work done

Conclusion

Electrical faults are a common and often preventable cause of air conditioner failure. If your AC trips the breaker, won’t start, makes electrical noises, smells burning, or struggles to cool, it’s time for professional electrical servicing. Early diagnosis keeps your system efficient, prolongs its life, and protects your home. If your air conditioner is showing any of these signs, don’t wait. Contact Aquila Electrical, Adelaide’s most reliable electricians for fast, safe, and professional air conditioner electrical servicing.

📞 Call us on 0488 551 630

‍📍 Based in Hove, SA 5048