Split-System Air Conditioning in Perth

A split system has one unit inside and one outside. The two units work together to cool the room. A reverse-cycle model can also heat the room in winter.

The units are joined by copper pipes. Refrigerant flows through these pipes. Refrigerant is the fluid that carries heat from one unit to the other.

The right system needs to suit the room and the way you use it. Brand matters, but size and position matter just as much.

How do we work out what size you need?

The floor area gives us a starting point. It does not give us the final answer.

The kW number on an air conditioner tells you how much heating or cooling it can deliver. It is not the amount of electricity the unit uses. We work out the output your room needs before comparing models.

We then look at the heat that enters or builds up in the room. Tradespeople often call this the “heat load”. Strong afternoon sun can add a lot of heat. Large windows and poor insulation can do the same.

An upstairs room below a hot roof can need more cooling than a similar room downstairs. A kitchen or several computers can also add heat. We ask how many people normally use the room because people add heat too.

We also look at where the air can travel. One unit may work well in an open living area. It will not usually cool bedrooms behind closed doors.

A system that is too small may run hard without making the room comfortable. Buying the next size up is not a safe shortcut. A larger system costs more, and it still cannot push air through walls or closed doors. Read the air-conditioner sizing guide for more detail. We then confirm the final model from the room and the property.

Which system layout suits several rooms?

There are three common ways to air condition several rooms. A multi-split connects several indoor units to one outdoor unit. Separate splits give each indoor unit its own outdoor unit. A ducted system hides one indoor fan in the roof or ceiling and sends air through ducts to each room.

Each option uses outdoor space differently. It also changes what happens when several rooms are turned on or when part of the system breaks down.

One multi-split detail is easy to miss. An outdoor unit may have five connection points, but that does not mean all five indoor units can deliver their full labelled output at the same time. The outdoor unit has one total amount of heating or cooling to share.

We ask which rooms you expect to run together. We then check the exact indoor and outdoor model combination in the maker’s data. Ask for those model numbers in the quote, not only the number of connection points.

When you compare quotes, make sure each one covers the same rooms and unit positions. Ask where the pipes and drains will run. If several systems need power, check that all electrical circuits are included. See the ducted air-conditioning service if you want to understand that option in more detail.

Where should the indoor and outdoor units go?

Where the units go will affect how the room feels. It will also affect what the finished job looks like. We need a place where the water can drain away. We also think about noise and the length of the pipe run.

The indoor unit also makes water while it is cooling. This water normally runs outside through a drain pipe using gravity. If the drain cannot slope down to a suitable outlet, a small pump may be needed. A pump adds some noise and will need maintenance, so we tell you before including one.

An indoor unit on an internal wall can still be possible. It often needs a longer route for the copper pipes. We also need a way to hide or cover the cable and drain. External pipe cover keeps exposed runs neat. We agree on the route and colour with you before work starts.

Air conditioners must meet WA noise rules. A narrow side passage can bounce sound towards a neighbour’s bedroom window. An open position farther from windows is usually easier. We check the likely sound before settling on the outdoor position.

What should a complete quote include?

“Back-to-back” usually means the indoor and outdoor units sit on opposite sides of the same wall. The pipes and drain take a short, easy route through that wall. The term does not tell you everything that is included, so the quote still needs to spell out the job.

A longer pipe run uses more material and takes more time. An indoor unit on an internal wall may need extra work to hide the pipes or drain the water. A second-storey outdoor unit may need special access or stronger brackets.

Electrical work can also change the price. We may find that the system needs a new circuit or that the switchboard needs work first. Strata approval can affect when the job can start. Removing an old system also adds work if it is not already in the quote.

These details matter when you compare prices. See what affects air-conditioning installation cost in Perth for the shorter pricing explanation.

What happens during installation and handover?

The quote gives us the plan. We still confirm the exact positions with you at the property before we drill holes or mount equipment.

1. We show you the positionsWe agree on the mounting heights, visible pipe cover, drain outlet and outdoor-unit support before work starts.
2. We install the systemWe mount both units and join them with copper pipes. Then we fit the drain and complete the licensed electrical work.
3. We test itThis final testing is called commissioning. We run the system, check the drain and make sure the controls and operating modes respond properly.
4. We show you how to use itWe explain the controller and show you how to reach and clean the filters. We also provide the paperwork that applies to the job.

If we are replacing an old system, we first check whether any existing pipes or cables can be reused. The answer depends on their condition and what the new maker allows. The quote should also say who will remove the old unit and recover its refrigerant. Refrigerant must not be released into the air. For a broader walkthrough, see the Perth air-conditioning installation guide.

What do the licences and warranties cover?

Air-conditioning work and electrical wiring are licensed separately. A person who can handle refrigerant may not be allowed to install new wiring in your home.

Some systems need a new electrical circuit. Others may be able to use a suitable existing circuit. We check this after we know the exact model. We then work out where the new cable would run. We also check that the switchboard is ready for the system.

If we install new fixed wiring, WA rules require an Electrical Safety Certificate within 28 days. Some maintenance work and some like-for-like replacements are excluded. We tell you whether you should receive a certificate for your job.

The maker’s warranty covers the equipment. The installer is responsible for the quality of the installation. Before you accept a quote, check whether the product needs to be registered. Also ask who you should call if a future fault could be in either the unit or the installation.

If something goes wrong because of work we’ve done, we come back and fix it at no extra charge. See our workmanship warranty FAQ for the full terms.

What should you send before we quote?

Your first message does not need every detail. Start with what you already know:

• Tell us your Perth suburb and whether the home has more than one storey.
• Say which rooms need heating and cooling.
• Include the room dimensions and ceiling height if you can measure them.
• Take a wide photo of each room and the wall where you think the indoor unit could go.
• Show us possible outdoor positions and the area between the indoor and outdoor locations.
• Take a photo of the whole switchboard with its cover closed.
• Mention any old air conditioner, strata rules or access problems.
• Tell us what matters most to you, such as quiet bedrooms, lower running costs or fewer outdoor units.

Photos help us narrow down the options. We may still need to visit if we cannot see where the wiring would run. We also need to know whether the drain can slope down to a suitable outlet. Sometimes we need to check how the wall is built. If so, we will tell you what needs checking and why.

Sending this information is free, and there’s no obligation to book. If the job needs an on-site visit before we can quote, we’ll always tell you before it applies.