KNOW YOUR AIR-CONDITIONS

Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech today urged Queenslanders preparing for the summer heat to do their homework before buying an air-conditioner.

Mrs Keech said the Office of Fair Trading had received 232 complaints about air-conditioning units and installation since November 2005.

“The majority of complaints related to faults with the air-conditioner and consumers wanting repair, replacement or a full refund,” she 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.”

Mrs Keech 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:

o window-wall units - for one room;

o split systems - one or two rooms;

o multi-split systems - 3 or more adjacent rooms; and

o 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,” Mrs Keech 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.”

Mrs Keech 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.

For more information visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au for your free fact sheet Buying 'big-ticket' items which contains information on purchasing an air-conditioner.

Media contacts: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Jo Whitaker 3224 2006