Licences to check, warranties and consumer guarantees, rebate scams, common installation failures and the official bodies to contact.
Most heating and cooling problems fall into a few patterns: a system that is too small or badly placed, a heat pump that is noisy or slow to recover, a 'free upgrade' offer that turns out to be neither free nor an upgrade, or a manufacturer and installer who each say the fault belongs to the other.
Start with where to get help, which maps each type of problem to the body that handles it. Then read the guide that matches your situation: checking an ARCtick refrigerant licence, warranties and consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law, door-knocking and rebate scams, heat pump hot water problems and common installation mistakes.
This site gives general information, not legal or technical advice. Where safety is involved, such as a burning smell, tripping circuit breakers, a gas leak or water near electrics, switch off and call a licensed tradesperson or emergency service first.
Failures, Complaints and Official Sources
How manufacturer warranties, installer workmanship warranties and the Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply to split systems, ducted units and heat pump water heaters.
Failures, Complaints and Official Sources
How refrigerant handling licences and refrigerant trading authorisations work, which other licences an air conditioning or heat pump installer needs, and how to check them.
Failures, Complaints and Official Sources
The most common heat pump water heater complaints in Australian homes, what usually causes them, what you can check safely and when it is a warranty or consumer guarantee issue.
Failures, Complaints and Official Sources
How to recognise misleading free or low-cost heat pump and air conditioner offers in Australia, your unsolicited sales rights, and how to report problems to the right regulator.
Failures, Complaints and Official Sources
Undersized units, bad head placement, noisy outdoor units, condensate leaks, uninsulated ducts and other split and ducted installation failures, with prevention tips.
Failures, Complaints and Official Sources
Which Australian body handles each heating, cooling or hot water problem, from faulty units and installer disputes to rebate providers, licences, energy bills and safety.
