Air Conditioning FAQ

FixerCo is 100% free for customers. We charge the winning installer a small platform fee — never you. You only pay a 10% deposit to lock in the job (capped at AUD $499), which is deducted from your installer's final invoice.

We invite 500+ licensed Australian installers to compete privately on your job. Because they can't see each other's prices, they submit their sharpest quote upfront — and because we never share your contact details, there's no sales pressure to inflate the price.

Yes. Every installer is verified for an Australian electrical/refrigeration licence, ABN, and current public liability insurance before they can quote on your job. Credentials are re-checked annually.

Most jobs receive their first quote within hours. The full quote window stays open for 48 hours, after which you'll have up to 30 days to compare and accept the best one.

A back-to-back split system typically costs $1,800–$3,500 installed. Multi-split systems range $4,000–$8,000. Fully ducted systems for a 3–4 bedroom home typically run $9,000–$16,000. Final price depends on home layout, system size (kW), brand and roof access.

A split system cools one room with one indoor unit and one outdoor unit — cheapest to install and run if you only condition a few rooms. Ducted cools the whole home through ceiling vents from one large outdoor unit — more expensive upfront but cheaper per square metre of conditioned space.

Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric are consistently rated highest for reliability and warranty support in Australia. Fujitsu and Panasonic are strong mid-range choices. LG, Samsung, Hitachi and Toshiba are all solid options. The best brand is the one with the right kW size, energy rating and local installer support for your home.

You choose. You see each installer's quote, brand, install date, ratings and credentials side-by-side. You shortlist up to 3, negotiate within the platform, then accept the one you want.

No. Tradies cannot see your name, phone or address until you've accepted a quote and paid the deposit. All Q&A goes through FixerCo's structured message system — no free-form contact.

As a rough guide: 2.5 kW for up to 20m², 3.5 kW for 20–30m², 5 kW for 30–45m², 7 kW for 45–60m², 8–9 kW for 60–80m². Sydney/Brisbane homes typically need 10% extra capacity vs Melbourne/Hobart due to humidity. Your installer will confirm sizing during the quote.

Yes — depending on your state. NSW offers Energy Savings Scheme rebates on energy-efficient systems. VIC has the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. SA has the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme. Federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (STCs) also applies to high-efficiency heat pumps. Installers will factor eligible rebates into their quote.

A back-to-back split system is usually installed in 3–5 hours. A more complex install with longer pipe runs takes most of a day. A fully ducted system for a 3–4 bedroom home typically takes 2–3 days.

Most strata schemes require written approval for outdoor units mounted on walls or balconies — your installer can provide the spec sheet you'll need. Council approval is rarely required for residential split systems but may apply to large ducted systems in heritage zones.

FixerCo holds installers to a quality standard. If a job isn't completed to spec or the installer breaches our terms, you can raise a dispute and we may refund your deposit. Deposits are non-refundable in normal change-of-mind situations.

Yes — replacement quotes are one of our most common job types. Upload a photo of the old unit and the model number if you have it, and installers will quote on removal and disposal plus the new install.

FixerCo focuses on residential air conditioning installation. For light commercial jobs (shops, small offices), some installers will quote — mention it in the job description. Large commercial/industrial HVAC is out of scope.

All of Australia. We have the strongest installer coverage in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast — but installers cover regional areas too.

Autumn (March–May) and early spring (September) are off-peak — installers have shorter lead times and sometimes offer better pricing. Avoid the December/January peak when most installers are booked 4–8 weeks out.

Often, yes. Upload your existing quote (PDF or photo) and we'll get 500+ installers to compete against it. About 7 in 10 customers receive at least one cheaper quote when comparing.

Yes. Your personal details are stored encrypted, never sold, and only shared with the one installer you choose to accept. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Many installers do — Zip, Humm, Brighte and similar buy-now-pay-later options are common. Ask in the structured Q&A on each quote.

Most major brands offer 5 years on parts (Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu) and 1–5 years on the compressor. Installation workmanship warranty from your installer is typically 12 months to 5 years depending on the installer.

Yes — you can counter-offer each shortlisted installer up to twice through the platform. There's no awkward phone call required.

Older homes often need a roof cavity inspection and may require ceiling reinforcement or extra ductwork length. Mention the home's age and roof type when requesting quotes — experienced installers will factor this in.

Every installer profile shows verified licence + insurance badges, completed-job count, customer ratings, and average response time. Read the public reviews before accepting a quote.