Beat the Melbourne Heat: Your Summer Air-Con Checklist
Melbourne summer doesn’t give you a warm-up lap
The first proper hot day hits and suddenly everyone in Melbourne remembers their air-con… usually when it’s already struggling.
A little prep now means your system is ready before the heatwave, not halfway through it.
In this guide, First Choice Heating & Cooling walks you through a simple summer checklist so you can stay comfortable, avoid breakdowns and keep running costs under control.
Service & repairs:
Air Conditioning Service & Repairs
1. Check your filters
Dirty filters are one of the most common reasons an air conditioner works harder than it should.
Reduced airflow
Higher power bills
More dust in the air
Take the filters out, gently vacuum or wash them (if your model allows), let them dry thoroughly and pop them back in.
If they’re damaged or haven’t been cleaned in years, it might be time to replace them.
Need help? Book a service and we’ll clean and check the whole system:
Book a Service
2. Clear the outdoor unit
Your outdoor unit needs space to breathe. During autumn and winter it’s easy for leaves, cobwebs and debris to build up around it.
Trim plants and shrubs back
Clear leaves, grass and rubbish
Make sure there’s good airflow around the unit
This helps your system run more quietly and efficiently – especially on those 35°C days.
3. Set your thermostat for comfort, not overkill
In a Melbourne heatwave, it’s tempting to crank the temp right down.
But every degree below about 24–25°C can add significantly to your energy use.
For most homes:
24–25°C is a comfortable cooling setting
Use fans to help move cool air around
Close blinds/curtains during the day to keep the heat out
More on choosing the right system and settings:
Split Systems & Ducted Air Conditioning
4. Test your system before the first 35°C day
Don’t wait for the first scorcher to turn your system on.
On a mild day:
Turn your air-con to cooling mode
Set the temperature to 24–25°C
Let it run for 15–20 minutes
Look for:
Strange noises or smells
Error codes on the controller
Air that doesn’t feel as cool as it used to
If something feels off, book a technician now rather than joining the emergency call-out queue later.
5. Consider a professional pre-summer service
A qualified technician can pick up issues you might miss:
Refrigerant levels
Electrical connections
Fan motors and coils
Airflow and system performance
A pre-summer service can extend the life of your system and reduce the chance of breakdown when you need it most.
Pre-summer check:
Schedule a Cooling Service
Tip from the Expert
“Most summer breakdowns we see could have been picked up weeks earlier,” says the First Choice Heating & Cooling team.
“If your system is noisy, slow to cool or hasn’t been serviced in a while, it’s worth checking now – before everyone else is calling at once.”
Want to make sure your air conditioner is ready for the Melbourne heat?
👉 Book a pre-summer service with First Choice Heating & Cooling and we’ll check, clean and tune your system so it’s ready for the next hot spell.
