Heating & cooling
Choosing between ducted and split systems, deciding whether an ageing unit is worth repairing, and understanding what it costs to run. Anyone handling refrigerant in Australia needs a national ARCtick licence, which is one of the few credentials a homeowner can check directly.
14 pages in this topic
Questions
- Should I repair or replace an ageing ducted system?Repair a single failed component on a system under about fifteen years old. Replace when the compressor or heat exchanger has failed, and inspect the ductwork either way. Replacing the unit and leaving degraded ducting wastes much of the benefit.3 sources cited
- Split system or ducted, which suits an Australian home?Split systems cost far less to install and let you condition only the rooms in use. Ducted costs more upfront and suits whole-home conditioning, but only pays off if it is zoned and the house is reasonably sealed and insulated.2 sources cited
- What licence should an air conditioning installer hold?An ARCtick refrigerant handling licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council, which is national, plus an electrical licence for the electrical connection. Handling refrigerant without one is an offence.4 sources cited
- How often should air conditioning be serviced?Filters need cleaning every few months during heavy use, which you can do yourself. A full service by a licensed technician is worth doing every one to two years, and before summer rather than during it.3 sources cited
- What size air conditioner do I need for a room?Sizing depends on far more than floor area: ceiling height, insulation, glazing, orientation and climate zone all change the result, and both oversizing and undersizing cause real problems.4 sources cited
- Is reverse cycle cheaper to run than gas heating?In most of Australia a modern reverse cycle system now costs less to run than gas ducted heating, because it delivers several units of heat per unit of electricity while gas delivers less than one.5 sources cited
- How often should a gas heater be serviced?Gas heaters should be serviced by a licensed gasfitter at least every two years, and open flued heaters in particular can produce carbon monoxide if the flue or the room ventilation is compromised.5 sources cited
- What is involved in going all-electric and disconnecting gas?Replacing the gas appliances is the visible part. The saving that makes the case is usually the daily supply charge, which you only avoid by formally disconnecting rather than simply not using gas.6 sources cited
- Do rangehoods have to vent outside?A ducted rangehood that discharges outside removes moisture, grease and combustion products. A recirculating one filters odour and returns everything else to the room, including the moisture.5 sources cited
- Where can an outdoor air conditioner unit be installed?Placement is governed by manufacturer clearances, and by noise. Most states impose limits on noise at a neighbouring boundary, and councils and tribunals do enforce them.5 sources cited
- Why is water dripping from my air conditioner?An indoor unit dripping inside is almost always a blocked or badly fallen condensate drain, and it is a maintenance problem rather than a refrigerant problem.4 sources cited
- Are ducted heating and cooling zones worth paying for?Usually yes, because conditioning only the rooms in use is the largest single saving available on a ducted system, and it also lets a smaller unit do the job.4 sources cited
- Is evaporative cooling any good in Australia?Evaporative cooling works well in dry heat and poorly in humidity, so it suits inland and southern Australia far better than the coastal north, and it needs windows open to work at all.4 sources cited