FAQs

Obviously, the answer to this question will be dictated by your budget. There are basically three types of air conditioning systems applicable to the domestic environment. These Are…a) A ducted system where all the components are located in the ceiling space with the condenser (outdoor unit) located externally. This is the most efficient, most silent and aesthetically pleasing system available.

b) A wall or floor mounted split system. This system has the fan coil (indoor) unit mounted either on the floor or wall of the room being conditioned. The condenser is located externally. These systems are quiet and efficient however sufficient space is required to install the indoor unit on the wall or floor.

c) A room air conditioner. These units are installed in either a window or wall. As these are one piece units, no interconnecting refrigerant pipes or wires are required.

As with all items, the prices vary according to the degree of installation work required and the performance of the equipment. Hence, the ducted system is more expensive but also the best system with the wall or floor mounted splits less expensive and the room air conditioner the least expensive. The splits system and the room air conditioners are restricted in the capacities available on the market, therefore some larger rooms are unable to be conditioned by one unit.

There are many manufacturers of air conditioning in the market today. The vast majority of the split systems and the room air conditioners are manufactured overseas. The quality of most of these units is very good but, at times, stock levels of certain sizes are very low and delays may be experienced for certain brands of equipment. In the case of ducted systems. The selection of the maker of the equipment you choose will probably depend on some or all of the following: availability; warranty; price and quality. The majority of sales personnel in the air conditioning industry will recommend quality units due to the fact that if they sell you an inferior product, their service staff will constantly be returning to fix any problems, hence any profit margin is soon gone. Not to mention the damage to the Company’s reputation.

This question is often very difficult for the consumer. You may choose to deal with a sole trader or a larger company but, in all cases, the following should be kept in perspective. The sole trader can sometimes do the job a little cheaper as his overheads are not as high as a larger company but can the sole trader guarantee 24 hour a day, 7 days a week emergency call out in case of a machine failure? The majority of the larger companies offer these services. All companies quoting to install your new air conditioning system should have the following:

* Qualified Tradesmen * BSA License * Public Liability Insurance * Arc License

Do not immediately accept the lowest price offered. Compare what is offered on the quote. All quotes should state the manufacturer or the equipment and the capacity of the equipment offered. Equipment capacity is stated as Kilowatts or refrigeration. This is the industry standard, not horsepower or BTU’s. Ensure that all quotes have equipment of comparable size. If one of the quotes you receive is considerably less than the rest, the unit may be smaller than that required, therefore your comfort conditions will not be satisfied when you really require this.

All of the work involved in installing your new air conditioning system in your home should in no way damage or make damage to floors, walls or furniture. The premises should be left in the condition they were when the installation commenced. All reputable tradesmen cover any items that may get dirt on them with the drop sheets to prevent this from happening. Upon completion of the installation, a representative of the installation company should give you instructions on the operation of your air conditioning system and the associated controls as well as advice on the necessary maintenance work.

As with all items of machinery, your air conditioning system does require maintenance. Failure to have the unit checked periodically can result in system failures and expensive repairs. Have the installation company advise you on regularity of services required.