What changes an install in Toowoomba
Winter sets the size
Toowoomba Airport averages a July low of 6.6 degrees. The energy label shows heating capacity at outdoor temperatures of 7 and 2 degrees, and on frosty mornings the 2 degree figure is the one that counts.
Insulation and draughts
For climate zone 5, the Queensland Government's design aim is a home that stays warm in winter, with insulated walls and floors and denser materials such as brick and concrete. ActronAir says a well insulated home likely needs less capacity, so ask the installer to check yours.
Older houses
Toowoomba is known for its Victorian-era and Queenslander houses, such as those in the Caledonian Estate. Mitsubishi Electric says an air conditioner needs a dedicated power supply, so an older switchboard should be checked before the quote is final.
Exposed spots
Wikipedia says Toowoomba gets more frequent high winds and hail than many Queensland towns, and Haier's warranty booklet is one that excludes hail damage. Ask for the outdoor unit somewhere sheltered that still has open air around it.
Near the creeks
The January 2011 storm overwhelmed East Creek and West Creek through the CBD. Close to a flood-prone creek, Get Ready Queensland's advice is to keep services such as air conditioner units above the flood level.
Gas or reverse cycle?
Allgas Energy supplies natural gas to Toowoomba, so plenty of homes have the choice. The ACT Government says a gas system heats quickly, but a reverse cycle system will have much lower running costs. For a reverse cycle system, the running cost is its input power in kW times the hours you run it times your electricity rate. Our gas or electric tool helps you set that against gas.
If you keep a gas heater and seal up a draughty house at the same time, take care. Energy Safe Victoria warns that renovating or weather-sealing a home can change the ventilation needed to clear carbon monoxide, so have a licensed gasfitter check the heater afterwards.
The licences a Toowoomba install needs
Queensland requires a QBCC licence for air conditioning work at any value, plus the right ARC refrigerant licence: RSS03 for a single-head split under 18kW, RAC01 for anything bigger. The cable between the units is electrical installation work, which needs a licensed electrician.
If an old gas heater is coming out as part of the job, that needs a Queensland gas work licence that covers removal. A gas servicing licence doesn't include installing, removing, altering or certifying.
Questions for a Toowoomba installer
- What heating capacity does this model have at 2 degrees, and is that enough for this room?
- Did the heat load allow for the insulation and draughts in this house?
- Can my switchboard take a dedicated circuit, and who does the electrical work?
- Where will the outdoor unit sit, out of the worst wind and hail?
- What's your QBCC licence number, and who removes the old gas heater, if there is one?
What we'd do
If it were our home
We'd size the system for the coldest mornings, compare models on their heating capacity at 2 degrees, and fix draughts before buying a bigger unit to fight them. In an older house, we'd have the switchboard checked early. We'd also take our time over a contract: a deal struck at your kitchen table can still carry a 10 business day cooling-off period. Then we'd hand it to an installer who heats Toowoomba homes every winter.
