Don’t be air-conned this Summer
Posted by editor (editor) on Dec 10 2009
2009 >>

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor has today urged Queenslanders preparing for the scorching summer heat to do their homework before buying an air-conditioner.

Mr Lawlor said the Office of Fair Trading had received 134 complaints in 2009 relating to air conditioning units and installation.

"The majority of complaints related to faults with the air-conditioner and consumers wanting repair, replacement or a full refund," he said.

"If you choose a unit that is not suitable for your home you may not be entitled to a refund.

"Consumers should remember that you are only legally entitled to a refund if the product is faulty, doesn't do what it is supposed to do, or is different from the sample you were shown.

"Buying an air-conditioner can be expensive so you need to do your research to ensure you select a unit that meets your specific needs."

Mr Lawlor said when deciding on the right cooling option, it was important to consider the following:

• The size of the room you want to cool: Measure your room and take the measurements with you when shopping around. An oversized unit ends up costing more to run and an undersized unit can struggle to cool the space.
• Does your home have insulation? Insulation in the ceiling and/or walls makes the air-conditioner more efficient. Insulation can block 10-20% of the summer heat.
• The layout/position of your home: The direction your home faces, the height of the ceilings, and the number and size of windows are all factors to consider when buying an air-conditioner.
• How many rooms do you want to cool? There are different cooling options depending on your needs:
  - window-wall units - for one room;
  - split systems - one or two rooms;
  - multi-split systems - 3 or more adjacent rooms; and
  - ducted - installed in ceiling, ideal for cooling an entire home.
• Noise: There are council regulations on residential noise levels so consider where you are placing the unit. If you're living in a unit/townhouse you should check with the body corporate for any additional noise or size restrictions.
  

"Getting the air-conditioner installed properly by a licensed electrical contractor is also very important. If you install the system yourself or use an unlicensed contractor you may no longer be protected by the warranty," Mr Lawlor said.

"Make sure you read the fine print of your warranty agreement and ask questions on conditions that you don't understand.

"This warranty agreement should also outline the supplier's obligations so you know who to call should something go wrong."

Mr Lawlor suggested that as an added precaution, verification of the contractor's licence should be sought from the Building Service Authority, before the agreement was signed.

Further information about consumer rights can be found at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 13 04

Last changed: Dec 10 2009 at 11:41 AM