Gecko’s are now common place across Queensland. As our air conditioning systems have become more technologically advanced, they contain more electronics, and are now more susceptible to damage from vermin, in particular Gecko’s. Specialist Air Conditioning manufacturers such as Daikin for example have been aware of this increasing threat and made subtle changes to the architecture of their machines reducing the risk of damage significantly.
How does a Gecko damage an air conditioner?
Geckos are attracted to our Air conditioning systems, in particular the outdoor unit. The warmth of the compressor, control board/s and the enclosed space – particularly the area at the top of the unit make a relatively safe home for them.
Unfortunately, this warm secure space houses some of the most delicate and expensive components in an air conditioner. Each of these printed circuit boards can cost many hundreds of dollars to replace.
When the gecko’s move around this confined space its only a matter of time before they make contact with some of these live components usually causing the circuit board to short out. This more often than not will fry both the circuit boards and the gecko.
Is gecko damage to my air conditioner repairable?
There are many printed circuit boards and other expensive components inside an air conditioner, luckily many of these parts are available individually and can be replaced. Its important to use a reliable, company with the correct test equipment to assess the full extent of the damage – especially to control boards.
Parts availability will differ greatly from brand to brand with industry leaders such as Daikin generally keeping local stock available longer than the less well known brands.
Unfortunately, in some instances the damage can be quite significant, spreading across many components raising the repair cost to the point where you might want to consider the option of replacing your air conditioner rather than repairing it. Damage caused by gecko’s and other vermin is not covered by any warranty.
Some factors to consider before jumping in to a repair might be the age and overall general condition of the unit.
Generally speaker the older an air conditioner is, especially where it is more than 10 years old (for a wall mount split) ir 15 years old (for a ducted system), the more thought you should give before making a repair decision. With older units you need to consider that whilst you might have a brand new control board / s – the remainder of the system may be approaching the end of its life.
In some instances a new replacement unit might be a better economic decision than having your AC repaired – A new replacement machine could give you a more modern air con with lower energy consumption, better features and a new manufacturers warranty.
How can I prevent a gecko from damaging my air conditioner?
Gecko’s are here to stay in Australia and unfortunately there’s no surefire way to keep them out of anywhere. However there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of damage to electronics and the trouble that causes.
- Regular professional service can often catch problems early before they have a chance to cause more significant problems.
- Keeping the outdoor unit clean and trimming back any vegetation where the out door unit is installed can make the area less attractive to the gecko’s and the insects they feed on.
- Replacing any missing or damaged covers as soon as possible making access as difficult as possible.
- Seal any holes through walls particularly at the indoor unit and where the interconnecting services exit the building.
Whilst the above will certainly help reduce the risk of costly repairs, there is no guaranteed solution to prevent the gecko’s causing damage leading to expensive repairs.
Can I request gecko proofing as part of my regular air conditioning maintenance?
There are different spray on deterrents and coatings available for control boards and other PCB’s but none of these come with a guarantee against damage, an experienced technician can advise the customers on the best way forward.
There are a number of solutions that are talked about when it comes to making air conditioners less likely to suffer gecko damage. Some of the more common ones are:
- spraying lanolin around the base of the outdoor unit – the gecko’s are alleged to not like the sticky lanolin on their feet
- hanging moth balls in the outdoor unit – the outdoor is alleged to keep the gecko’s at bay
Even if the above claims are true – these treatments are not permanent in nature and need to be re-applied / maintained periodically.
The only permanent solution we are aware of is to either:
- insert insulating material on the back of the control board / s
- coat the control board / s with a non conductive protective layer
Both of these solutions are permanent in nature – but they do not guarantee there will be no gecko fry – only that the chance of an issue is greatly reduced.
What should I do if a gecko gets into my air conditioning system?
Unfortunately you may never know when a gecko gets in your air conditioner – but if you have heard the tell tale ‘chirp’ ‘chirp’ noise of the geckos from in or around your air conditioner and you’re worried about any damage being caused you might want to turn off the unit at the mains isolator and call Sun City Air Conditioning to investigate.
It is important you call a licensed air conditioner technician, with the correct knowledge and tools to diagnose and repair your air conditioner.
Get a free quote on air conditioning repairs in Brisbane
If your air conditioner has stopped working due to gecko damage, get in touch with our expert team of air conditioning repair technicians to get your unit working properly again. Get an obligation free quote from on air conditioning repairs in Brisbane here.
Learn more about common issues people have with air conditioners
Having trouble with your air conditioning and can’t quite figure out what the problem is? There could be a few reasons why it’s not working as well as it used to, and in our experience, these are the most common culprits:
- Air conditioner unit is frozen or icing up
- Air conditioner unit is leaking water
- Air conditioner heat mode is not working
- Air conditioner isn’t turning on
- Air conditioner is making loud buzzing noises
- Ducted air conditioner isn’t working in all rooms
- Air conditioner smells
- Air conditioner is sweating inside
- Air conditioner is blowing hot air
- Air conditioner keeps turning off
What are most air conditioner breakdowns caused by?
Air conditioning units can stop working for a number of different reasons, but most breakdowns stem from a few common issues. Whether it’s a clogged air filter, a refrigerant leak, or an electrical malfunction, these problems can reduce efficiency and even cause complete failure. Below are the most frequent reasons AC units break down.
- AC breakdown caused by electrical problems
- PCB faults
- Faulty air conditioner compressor that needs replacing
- Faulty air conditioner capacitor that needs replacing
- Faulty air conditioner condenser that needs replacing
- Faulty air conditioner evaporator coil that needs replacing
- Air conditioner pipe insulation that needs replacing
There are many more reasons your air conditioner may not be working, and our first step with any repair job is to diagnose the issue with an initial inspection.
FAQs
Is gecko damage to my air conditioner covered by my warranty?
Damage caused by gecko’s and other vermin to your systems is not generally covered by warranty. The manufacturers warranty covers faults caused by their improperly manufactured / installed parts – rather than accidental damage by vermin / gecko’s.
Is gecko damage to my air conditioner covered by my insurance?
Individual insurance policies will vary but generally they will not cover vermin – regular service can reduce the risk of expensive repairs.
We have seen a small number of insurance policies which do cover vermin damage – if you have such a policy then the insurer may pay to have your air conditioner fixed.
Can a gecko live inside an air conditioning unit?
Absolutely – Your AC and in particular the outdoor unit provides an ideal warm safe environment, we often find live and fried geckos as well as their eggs inside air conditioning systems.
What attracts geckos to air conditioners?
The warmth of the compressor, circuit boards and the enclosed space – particularly the area at the top of the outdoor unit makes a relatively safe home for them.