Frequently asked questions

Gas ducted heating is more effective and cheaper to run than any other form of central heating, including reverse cycle air conditioning. Reverse cycle systems lose heating efficiency once the outside temperature drops below 10°C – the very time when you need the heat most.

The ducted gas heating unit can be installed inside the roof space, on an external wall or, in some cases, under the house. The heating outlets can be positioned in the floor or ceiling, depending on your preference and the type of house. Most modern homes are built on concrete slabs so ceiling ducts are the only option.

We offer a complete range of ducted gas heaters to suit every application. All AAC professionals are expertly trained to ensure correct heater selection and installation.

Ducted Gas Heating is ideally suited for people with allergies. Natural gas is a clean burning fuel, and all flue emissions from the heater are safely expelled to the exterior of the home. Unlike some other forms of heating, gas systems do not significantly dry out the air, which can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and throat.

There are no exposed hot surfaces or naked flames inside the house for little fingers to touch and no fume emissions inside the home.

The efficiency of a refrigerated air conditioning system is measured by its coefficient of performance (COP). This is a measure of two factors: an air conditioner’s output capacity (the amount of heat that will be removed by cooling) and its energy consumption (the energy the air conditioner uses per hour at rated capacity). The size and capacity of the unit you will need depends on the size of the home you want to cool and its heat load, which is determined by environmental factors such as the number of windows, amount of sunlight entering the room, outside weather conditions and what type of insulation you have. Generally, the bigger the area you have to cool, the larger unit you will need to service it. Your AAC professional will take all these factors into consideration when assessing your needs and recommending a unit appropriate for your home.

A split system has an indoor and outdoor part that is connected together. They provide quieter and more efficient air conditioning than a single package unit. They work by placing the cooling parts of the air conditioner in the outside unit and then having one or two inside components that contain the fans.

It is not recommended to leave doors and windows open if you’re trying to cool your home. On hot days it is also advisable to close curtains and blinds to minimize heat entering through glass areas during the hottest part of the day. This will keep your house cooler and prevent your air conditioner from having to work harder than necessary. If you prefer to leave windows and doors open in summer, then consider an evaporative system, rather than a refrigerated system.

Yes. You should inspect the air filters in your air conditioner twice a month to see if cleaning is necessary. Trapped particles in the filter can build up and block the airflow. This reduces the air conditioner’s cooling ability. Most residential systems have easily accessible filters on the air return grille that can be removed and cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Your system will come with a control panel that has both ‘auto’ and ‘manual’ settings on the thermostat. You can program the temperature you require for both ‘away’ and ‘at home’ mode and night/day settings for an entire week. The unit will run only when the temperature requires it, maintaining a steady temperature and reducing energy use by only working when needed.

A pump draws water from a reservoir onto a cooling pad, which remains saturated during operation. A fan draws air from outside the unit through the moistened pad, cooling the air by evaporation. The unit’s fan and motor size are selected and matched to the size of your home, to deliver the appropriate airflow. The evaporative cooling system is sited on the roof and the fan and motor are quiet in operation, ensuring a constant, even flow of fresh air to the home. The whole unit uses only a small amount of energy to produce a constant, refreshing breeze.

All evaporative air conditioners use water to provide the cooling effect. The amount varies with the size of the unit, the amount of cooling selected, and the ambient outside temperature and humidity. Evaporative cooling systems have a computerised setting which regularly flushes the reservoir, replacing it with fresh water to ensure a clean operation.

Running costs are estimated to be 15% of an equivalent sized refrigerated air conditioning system so they are very cost effective to operate. The savings in energy costs compared to refrigerated systems can be hundreds of dollars a year.

Yes, definitely. When temperatures rise the evaporative air conditioner works at its best. Unlike refrigerated air conditioners, which are relatively noisy both day and night, evaporative cooling systems work with hardly any sound!

Yes, you can regulate the air from the outlets by opening or closing windows in various parts of the house so the cool air can exhaust through to another area where an external opening has been provided. The air from the outlets must be exhausted to the outside of the building in order for the unit to work effectively. It will always take the path of least resistance, allowing you to control airflow to each area by the opening or closing of doors and windows. Cool air can even be directed through the house and out the back door onto a verandah, to provide a cooling breeze while you are sitting outside.

A Hydronic heating system consists of the following main components:

• A heat source is used to heat the water to a thermostatically controlled temperature. The heat source can be natural gas, LPG, electric or solid fuel
• The piping system which is usually made of copper, PEX or multilayer pipe carries the heated water from the heat source to heating appliance and back again for reheating in a closed loop.
• A pump that circulates the water through the piping system.
• Heating appliances such as radiators, towel rails, ThermaSkirt, floor coils, convectors and combinations thereof transfer the heat into the room.
• A thermostat(s) controls the temperature and optimizes the comfort levels throughout the house.

Yes, most houses can have hydronic heating installed, however, houses on a concrete slab are more difficult due to lack of access for the pipe work.

Hydronic heating will noticeably affect the temperature of a room within 10-15 minutes. It is a slower system than ducted heating systems, quicker than wood fire. Its efficiency and comfort level surpass both.