Air Conditioning Installation
A new system, sized right
and installed by a licensed crew.
From a single split system to a fully zoned ducted setup, Standby handles the whole install: site assessment, sizing, the physical install and the compliance paperwork at the end.
A wrong-sized system costs you twice
An undersized split system runs flat out and never quite cools the room. An oversized one short-cycles, switching on and off before it properly dehumidifies the air, which is why a "bigger unit" doesn't always mean a more comfortable house. Both mistakes show up on the power bill and both are avoidable with a proper site assessment before anyone quotes a number.
Standby sizes every system against the room's orientation, insulation, ceiling height and window area, not a rule-of-thumb chart. That is the difference between an install that works in February and one that gets a callback in the first heatwave.
Sizing is easier to get right on a new build, because the plans are still open and the system can be designed in rather than fitted around what is already there. Standby works direct with builders and mechanical contractors on air conditioning for new builds, to the program and the site induction rules the rest of the trades work to.
From first call to handover
Step 1
Site assessment
We look at the room, the wall or roof space available, where the outdoor unit can sit and any access issues before quoting. For ducted jobs this includes a walk through the roof cavity.
Step 2
Sizing and quote
You get a fixed quote for a system sized to the space, with the brand, model and capacity specified in writing, not a range.
Step 3
Install day
Licensed, Certificate 3 trade qualified tradesmen complete the mechanical and electrical work, run the refrigerant lines and mount the indoor and outdoor units.
Step 4
Compliance and handover
Every install is signed off to Australian standards, refrigerant handling is logged per ARC requirements and you get a walkthrough of the controls before we leave.
Step 5
First-year maintenance
Two maintenance visits are included in the first twelve months at no extra cost, so the system gets checked before it has a chance to develop a fault.
Split system or ducted?
Most homes fall into one of two camps. A split system cools or heats a single room or open-plan area, installs quickly and suits a bedroom, living room or granny flat. A ducted systemconditions the whole house through hidden ductwork and a single control panel, with zoning so unused rooms aren't paying to be cooled. Full detail on each sits on the dedicated pages: ducted air conditioning and split system air conditioning. Whichever way you go, the size and efficiency of the system also decides what the NSW air conditioning rebate is worth on the job.
Licensed, insured and still around after handover
Every tradesman holds a Certificate 3 trade qualification. Standby carries a refrigerant purchasing licence through the Australian Refrigeration Council and $20 million in public liability insurance, and the business is an NSW Government rebate installer, so an eligible upgrade comes with a government discount applied straight to the quote.
The install doesn't end the relationship. A free first year of maintenance, two visits included, comes standard, and the same crew who installed the system handles ongoing servicing and after-hours breakdown calls afterwards.
Plenty of the systems we get called to do not need replacing at all. If yours has stopped cooling, start with air conditioning repair and service and get a diagnosis before you price a new one. A unit under twelve years old with a fixable fault is usually worth keeping. When an older system is past saving, our air conditioner replacement service takes the old unit out and puts the right size back in.
Licensed, insured and accredited
Common questions
How much does it cost to have an air conditioner installed?
There is no standard price, because no two installs are the same job. What moves the number is unit capacity, the brand and model you choose, how far the outdoor unit sits from the switchboard, whether the electrical needs upgrading, and how hard the run is to get through. Ducted costs more again because of the ductwork, the zoning and the roof access. We quote a fixed price after a site visit, not before one, so the number you get is the number you pay.
What is the $5,000 rule for air conditioners?
It is a rule of thumb that circulates in the trade. It is not a regulation, and it is not our pricing. You multiply the unit's age in years by whatever a repair has been quoted at, and if the result comes to more than 5,000, replacing tends to be the better value. Treat it as a way of framing the decision rather than a number that means anything on its own, because it tells you nothing about what your repair or your replacement will actually cost. We give you a fixed price for both once we have looked at the unit, and that is the only figure that applies to your job.
What should I look for when choosing an air conditioning installer?
Check the installer holds a Certificate 3 trade qualification and an ARC refrigerant handling licence, since both are needed to legally install and charge a system. Ask how they work out the sizing: a proper assessment looks at room volume, ceiling height, window orientation and insulation rather than floor area on its own. It also helps to know who you call directly if the system needs attention under warranty.
What air conditioning brands should I avoid?
Steer clear of unbranded or grey-import units with no local parts supply or warranty support in Australia. Standby installs Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric and Fujitsu, all of which carry established local warranty networks and readily available parts.
Can I get the NSW government rebate on a new air conditioner?
If the system qualifies under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, yes. Standby is an NSW Government rebate installer, and the discount comes off your quote rather than being paid back to you later. What it is worth depends on the exact model, because the scheme reads its efficiency rating out of the federal GEMS registry. Full eligibility detail and the NSW Government figures live on our dedicated rebate page.
Do I need council approval to install a split system or ducted air conditioner?
Most standard residential split system and ducted installs don't need council approval, but heritage overlays, strata properties and some external unit placements can trigger requirements. We flag it during the site assessment if your property looks like it might need a check.
Related pages
Reliable cooling, when you need it most.
Whether it is a new installation, planned maintenance or a breakdown, Standby Services gives you a clear way forward.