Everything You Need to Know About Air Conditioning Installation: Gold Coast
Air conditioning installation is a great way to keep your home cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. But before you decide to go ahead with the installation process, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of air conditioning installation. In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about air conditioning installation, such as the cost, benefits, and potential drawbacks. We will also discuss the different types of systems available, as well as what you should look for when choosing a contractor. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of the process, and be able to make the right decision for your home.
Overview of air conditioning installation
Air conditioning installation is the process of installing air conditioning equipment, such as an air conditioner, in your home. An air conditioner is a mechanical device that removes heat and humidity from indoor air, and replaces the air with cooler air. Air conditioning is a great way to keep your home comfortable year round, but it is not suitable for every climate. It is a very energy-intensive process, and requires a large amount of electricity. Evaporative cooling is a cheaper alternative for many people in Australia. However, evaporative coolers aren’t suitable for hot, humid climates. Which is why you may see them adorning many homes in Melbourne but none on the Gold Coast. For us here on the Gold Coast, air conditioning is the best option for cooling our homes.
The most common installation is the split system installation. These get their name because they consist of a condenser unit and head unit, which are split into two sections. One section is inside your home, where the cool air is delivered. The other unit sits outside the home, where the hot air is pumped out. Split systems are great for cooling a room or rooms, are cheap to install and offer a great way to retrofit air conditioning into your home.
The alternative to a split system is ducted AC. This consists of a bigger unit (when compared with a split) that sits outside your home . It pumps cool air into ducts that deliver this cool air to every part of your home. Ducted AC offers considerable advantages in convenience and ease of use but comes with a bigger price tag.
The cost of air conditioning installation
The cost of air conditioning installation will vary depending on the size of your home, the type of equipment you choose, and whether you’re supplying your own AC unit or having us supply. We will happily install any air conditioning unit you supply but suggest your compare our prices first. Our sister company, SE Air Direct, helps us leverage our buying power to deliver lower prices. Our parent company is the electrical contractors South East Electrical, meaning we have electricians available to complete the hookup of the air conditioning units. Companies that have to contract out this aspect of the installation can incur higher operating costs as a result. Costs they may pass on to you.
Typically it will be much cheaper to install a split system AC. These are easy to retrofit to most homes. The condenser connects to the head unit via pipes, meaning it can be located at a convenient location outside your home. There are regulations regarding the placement (eg distance from gas or electrical switchboard) but usually it’s not too hard to find a cost-effective solution.
Keep in mind that you will also need to pay a monthly energy bill and it will increase when running your air conditioning. Choosing the right unit(s) and correctly locating and installing them can reduce running costs. You should consult with our expert team to find the ideal solution for your home.
Benefits of air conditioning installation
Air conditioning offers many benefits, such as boosting indoor air quality, cooling your home, and reducing allergens in the home. Air conditioning can help to reduce allergens in the home, such as dust mites, pet dander, and mould spores, especially during the Gold Coast’s humid summers. It also helps to reduce odours from things like cooking, smoke, and pet odours. Air conditioning can also reduce the amount of dust in your home, which can improve your indoor air quality. Another benefit of air conditioning is that it helps to regulate humidity in your home. Humidity can be a big problem, especially in areas that experience a lot of rainfall. Air conditioning can help to reduce the amount of moisture in the air.
Once your air conditioning is installed it is important to have it checked and cleaned. Air conditioning cleaning is essential if all the above is to remain true over the course of years of operation. A build-up of dust in the filters can add dust to your home and increase allergens.
Air conditioning is also the most efficient way to heat your home during winter. We don’t have the harshest winters here on the Gold Coast but I’m sure most of us will need to heat our homes during the cold evening. Reverse cycle air conditioning is the type that heats in winter and cools in summer. It’s also the standard type these days and has been proven to be more efficient than other ways of heating your home.
Potential drawbacks of air conditioning installation
There are a few drawbacks to air conditioning installation, including high energy consumption, high installation costs, and the potential for maintenance issues. Air conditioning systems use a lot of energy. We even see major cities trying to limit air conditioning use during peak hours to prevent brownouts of blackouts. Those with solar on their roof will run air conditioning all weekend without problems. Mid-week, the hours just after the sun goes down, when the house is still warm, are potentially when the grid is most taxed. If you have rooftop solar you can mitigate this by cooling your home prior to sundown. If you have a smart air con then set it to start at 4pm (say) so that your home is cool when you get back from work.
Installation costs are another potential drawback to air conditioning installation. Central air conditioning systems are more expensive to install than air conditioners in individual rooms, and you may need to make significant changes to your home in order to accommodate the system. If you decide to install an air conditioner in each room, you will need to do some electrical work in your home in order to power each unit. Talk to us about how to reduce costs. We have some clever ideas around placement and type of AC units that can make it more affordable.
Different types of air conditioning systems
Air conditioning systems are classified as either central air conditioning (ducted) or room air conditioning (split system). Central air conditioning involves the installation of ductwork throughout your home and the installation of a large air conditioning unit outside your home. With a central air conditioning system, all rooms and spaces in your home are cooled using air that is pulled into the unit, cooled by a refrigerant, and then pushed back into your home.
Room air conditioning is a system that cools only a single room at a time. These systems can be wall-mounted, or they can be ceiling mounted. Combining two or three split systems can give you the versatility to cool all the rooms in your home you need to cool. It also provides a cost-effective solution with lower installation costs than ducted.
Choosing the right contractor
When it comes to finding a contractor for air conditioning installation, it’s important to do your research to make sure you choose the right one. You can find contractors online, through friends, or through an online review site, such as Google Reviews. You should also be sure to check the contractor’s license and insurance. You should expect to pay around $3,000 to $6,000 for the installation of an air conditioner in a single room, and $12,000 to $17,000 for the installation of a central air conditioning system. We recommend using contractors who have electricians on staff. This avoids the need for them to contract out this portion of the installation.
Tips for successful air conditioning installation
Keep in mind that noise can be a potential problem with any type of air conditioning system, especially if the system is installed in your bedroom. If you are sensitive to noise, you may want to consider a quieter air conditioning system. You should also be mindful of the noise of the condenscor unit for your neighbours. Noise from air conditioning is the number one complaint between neighbours here on the Gold Coast. Careful selection and placement of AC units can avoid disputes down the track.
If you choose to install an air conditioner in a single room, you should be sure to turn off the air conditioner before you leave the room. This will help to reduce your utility bill and prevent damage to the unit. If you choose to install a central air conditioning system, you will need to have the ductwork inspected and cleaned regularly. A dirty ductwork system will negatively affect the performance of the system.
Maintenance considerations
When installing a new air conditioning system, you may want to consider investing in regular maintenance. Maintenance can help to reduce the risk of repair issues, and can also help to keep your air clean and your utility bill low. If you decide not contract out the maintenance, you should perform routine cleaning to extend the life of your system. Be sure to keep your ductwork clean, because a dirty ductwork system can negatively affect the performance of your system.
Air conditioning installation can be a great way to keep your home comfortable year-round, but there are a few things to consider before deciding to go ahead with the installation process. By understanding the process and the pros and cons of air conditioning installation, you will be better prepared to make the best decision for your home.
