Before-You-Sign Heating, Cooling and Hot Water Checklist
Tick off sizing, licences, incentives, electrical work, placement and warranty paperwork before you accept a quote.
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Sizing and product
Licences
Incentives
Electrical and placement
Paperwork
Use this checklist when you have one or more written quotes in hand and before you sign or pay a deposit. Each item maps to a guide on this site.
Sizing and product. A quote should name exact model numbers and explain how the capacity was chosen, as covered in the sizing guide. Without model numbers you cannot compare quotes or check energy ratings.
Licences. Anyone handling refrigerant must hold an ARCtick licence, and electrical and plumbing work must be done by tradespeople licensed in your state. The licence guide explains how to check.
Incentives. Discounts under STCs, Victorian Energy Upgrades or the NSW Energy Savings Scheme are usually applied on the quote. Some require forms signed before work begins, so confirm the amount and the paperwork first.
Electrical and placement. Many disputes start with an unpriced switchboard upgrade or a noisy outdoor unit beside a neighbour's bedroom.
Paperwork. Keep the quote, invoice, compliance certificates and warranty documents together. They matter if you later rely on the consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law.
How manufacturer warranties, installer workmanship warranties and the Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply to split systems, ducted units and heat pump water heaters.
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.
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.
A step-by-step checklist for reading and comparing split system, ducted and heat pump hot water quotes in Australia, from site inspection to final payment.
Undersized units, bad head placement, noisy outdoor units, condensate leaks, uninsulated ducts and other split and ducted installation failures, with prevention tips.