Time & time again we get called to repair split system air conditioners which have been recently installed on the ” Cheap”. A friend, of a friend, of a friend is usually the culprit who offers this great deal that’s too good to pass up. In the long run the so called cheap installation ends up costing you the consumer much more than if it was done by a qualified person. Over the years I have inspected equipment under manufacturers warranty only to find a unauthorised installation which has voided the equipments warranty.
Tip 1 : Check the credentials of the installer at http://www.lookforthetick.com.au/
Tip 2: Only install equipment from reputable manufactures. With the influx of Chinese imports we are seeing equipment of very low quality & efficiency flooding our markets being purchased purely on price rather than performance & equipment longevity. We would recommend you only consider Japanese based companies like Mitsubishi, Daikin, Panasonic, Fujitsu. If you have not heard of the equipments manufacture previously don’t buy the equipment or be prepared for poor warranty service & very limited spare parts once the warranty has expired.
Tip 3: Request an Electrical & a Plumbing certificate of compliance. If these 2 certificates are not provided by the installer this is a good indication that the installer is not authorised to have done the installation you requested. Failure to produce these certificates should you require warranty repairs will most likely see your warranty void & also see you personally responsible for any injuries if for example poorly secured equipment falls from its mounts and causes injury to the public.
Tip 4: You pay for what you get!
Here are some scenarios which may help explain:
Quality Split system. – $1500
Qualified Installation - $ 600
Benefits : Five years warranty from manufacturer, 2 x compliance certificates. 35°C outside -> 21°C Inside, Many years of air conditioning usage without failure
Disadvantages : $400 out of pocket expense on initial purchase
TOTAL : $2500.00
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Inferior Split System – $1000
Illegal install – Pipe, cables & pipe capping plus a slab of beer to say thanks $400.00
Advantages : None – gas leaked out during the first hot day & compressor burnt out because of the lack of refrigerant .
Disadvantages : Refrigerant Gas @ $200 , Compressor @ $1000, Filter driers to clean up contaminated pipes from burnt out compressor @ $200.. all at your expense because the warranty has been voided due to an illegal installation. 35°C outside -> 35°C Inside.
TOTAL : $2800.00 And if the EPA catch up with you add $250,000 fine for venting a known greenhouse and/or ozone depleting substance to atmosphere
So is that cheap installation still look so attractive now ?