It’s one of the most common questions we hear: “Do I actually need to service my system every year?”

The honest answer is — it depends on what you’ve got. Gas ducted heaters and air conditioners have different service requirements, and lumping them together leads to either over-servicing (costing you money) or under-servicing (costing you more down the track).

Here’s a straightforward guide to what your system actually needs, and why.

🔥 Gas Ducted Heaters: Every Two Years

If you have a gas ducted heater — brands like Brivis, Braemar, Bonaire, Vulcan, or Lennox — the recommended service interval is every two years under normal household use.

A professional gas heater service includes:

• Checking the heat exchanger for cracks or deterioration
• Testing for carbon monoxide
• Inspecting the burner, ignition, and gas valve
• Checking the flue and combustion airflow
• Cleaning the filter and cabinet
• Testing all zones and thermostat operation

Between services, keep an eye on your filter. If you have pets or a dusty environment, a filter clean every 6–12 months is worth doing yourself — it’s usually a simple slide-out panel.

❄️ Split Systems & Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners: Every One to Two Years

Split systems and ducted reverse cycle systems don’t involve combustion, so there’s no safety-critical annual check. That said, they still degrade without attention.

The practical recommendation is a professional service every one to two years, plus filter cleans every three to six months depending on how heavily the system runs.

A service covers:

• Cleaning evaporator and condenser coils
• Checking refrigerant pressure (not topping up — refrigerant doesn’t “run out” unless there’s a leak)
• Inspecting electrical connections and capacitors
• Clearing the condensate drain
• Checking the fan motor and bearings
• Testing heating and cooling performance

⚠️ What Happens If You Skip It?

Skipping services doesn’t mean your system will immediately break down. Many do run for years without attention. But when things go wrong, they tend to go wrong at the worst possible time — a 38°C day in January or the first cold snap in May.

Beyond breakdowns, there are a few other consequences worth knowing:

• Higher energy bills. Dirty systems work harder to reach temperature. That extra load shows up on your power bill every single month.
• Shorter system lifespan. A gas heater that runs with restricted airflow stresses the heat exchanger. A split system with dirty coils runs the compressor harder. Both shorten the life of expensive components.
• Voided warranty claims. Many manufacturers require evidence of regular servicing to honour warranty claims. If a major component fails and there’s no service history, the claim can be rejected.

🏙️ Melbourne-Specific Considerations

Melbourne’s variable climate means most households run their heating and cooling systems hard across both seasons. That’s more annual run hours than many other cities, which is worth factoring into your service timing.

Homes in the inner north and west — particularly older properties in suburbs like Essendon, Brunswick, Moonee Ponds, Footscray, and Yarraville — often have original duct installations that are now 20–30 years old. Older systems benefit from more frequent checks, not less.

Pollen season also hits Melbourne’s north and west suburbs hard in spring. If your system runs during September and October, coils and filters can load up quickly — worth keeping in mind if you notice reduced airflow heading into summer.

📋 The Simple Summary