What’s some good advice for people like us with an older ducted air-conditioning system that hasn’t had anything done to it over the years?

It’s a classic example of what happens when you think your air-conditioning is “set and forget”. We were called out to look at a ducted air-conditioning system that wasn’t cooling all the rooms of a house like it used to. We climbed into the ceiling space and discovered several of the ducting joints had failed and that some of the small electrical motors that operate the dampers had burnt out.

Do you come across this sort of problem often?

Industry research shows as many as 30 percent of reverse-cycle air-conditioners aren’t operating properly. This can blow out power bills, which is an issue as reverse-cycle systems are the most energy-efficient option for cooling and heating. We’ve also been called out to systems that failed because they hadn’t been properly installed in the first place.

What’s the worst-case scenario?

A house fire. Every year fire authorities warn of the risk to lives and property by operating air-conditioning systems that haven’t been professionally serviced and had defective parts identified and replaced.

So is it going to cost a lot to get the system inspected for safety and serviced?

Service is cheaper than replacement and the really good news is that repairs and upgrades will be done to current improved industry standards. This includes better insulation ratings plus ducting that can now come bonded with a fire retardant.