The Standards to Look for in an Air Conditioning Installer

Air conditioning installation is licensed, regulated work in Australia, subject to Australian legal, licensing and regulatory requirements, with recognised technical standards and industry guidance applying depending on the type of work. This guide sets out what those standards actually require, so you can check any installer against them before you commit.

A refrigerant licence is the law. Anyone who handles refrigerant must hold a Refrigerant Handling Licence issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), and working without one is illegal and carries penalties for individuals and businesses. [1] An unlicensed install can also void your manufacturer's warranty from day one. [2]

Licensing is publicly recorded. The ARC maintains a free public register, where any refrigeration and air conditioning licence can be confirmed by name or number, along with its type and whether it's current. [3]

State licensing applies too. On top of the national ARC licence, most states and territories require a separate contractor or electrical licence to install legally, and the requirements differ between jurisdictions. [4]

Always get a written, itemised quote. A verbal figure gives you no protection if the final invoice changes. Under industry best-practice guidelines, the quote should state the system model, the total installed price, the scope of work, the unit locations, and the price of your first service. [5]

Insist on a heat load calculation. Correct sizing comes from a heat load assessment, which accounts for insulation, ceiling height, window orientation and local climate, not a price-per-square-metre formula. [5] Floor area alone isn't enough to size a system accurately.

Compare two or three quotes on scope. The cheapest isn't automatically the best value once you weigh efficiency, warranty terms, and whether commissioning is included. [5] A large price gap usually signals a real difference in what's being delivered.

Know what's legally payable upfront. Never pay in full before work begins. Deposits for domestic building work are capped by state legislation, commonly between 5% and 10% of the contract price depending on your state and the contract value [6], and for any uninvited (door-to-door) sale the supplier cannot lawfully take payment at all during the cooling-off period. [7]

You have a cooling-off period on uninvited sales. If you bought after a door-knock or unsolicited call, the Australian Consumer Law gives you 10 business days to cancel for any reason, starting the first business day after you receive the agreement. [7] During that window the supplier can't carry out the work or take your money.

Insist on commissioning and handover. The job isn't finished when the system switches on. Best-practice guidelines say the installer should commission it with calibrated instruments and hand you a completed checklist, operating instructions and a maintenance schedule. [5] Keep these with your installation details in case of a warranty claim.

AC Wise connects you with installers who meet every one of these standards: ARC-licensed, appropriately state-licensed, and following AIRAH best-practice guidelines. Request a no-obligation quote.