FAQs & Tips

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Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about air conditioning.


Click here for useful tips for keeping your home energy efficient whilst saving on your power bill.


If you have a question that is not answered here, don't hesitate to contact us today.

Air Condition Remote — Grafton Air in Grafton, NSW
House Building Plan — Grafton Air in Grafton, NSW
  • What does 'reverse cycle' and 'split system' mean?

     A split system air conditioner comprises two pieces: the outdoor unit, which sits outside your home, and the indoor unit, commonly wall-mounted inside the home. Reverse cycle means the system can provide both heating and cooling. Multi-head systems, ceiling cassettes, under ceiling units and cooling-only models are available.

  • What is back-to-back installation?

    The indoor and outdoor units are placed on opposite sides of the same wall. This reduces the amount of copper pipe run required to connect the two units.

  • Do I need ducted air conditioning?

    Ducted air conditioners are recommended if you wish to condition most areas in the home, split systems are not practicable or you prefer the more discreet look of the outlet registers. The indoor fan coil unit is situated in the ceiling space and is connected to the outdoor condensing unit. Individual outlet registers are situated in each room (generally in the ceiling) with the air conditioning controlled by a central controller pad.

  • How is airflow controlled?

    Zoning allows you to turn on and off the air conditioning in certain areas of the house. This is done through the use of zone controls in the ductwork situated in the ceiling space.

  • What is an inverter air-conditioning system?

    An inverter system uses a variable speed compressor, which allows variation in the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioning to suit indoor conditions. Inverter units are more economical and efficient to operate. They are also quieter than fixed speed systems. Both ducted and split systems are available with inverter compressors.

  • What size unit do I need?

    This is determined by the size of the area, the aspect, whether the home is insulated, the amount of glass and the heat load generated from the number of people occupying the area. Our team at Grafton Air can visit your home to correctly determine the exact size required, maximising efficiency and minimising energy costs. This is a free service.

  • What if I am building a new home or undergoing renovations?

    Grafton Air is able to provide a no-obligation quote on a new air-conditioning system from your floor plans. If you take up our proposal we can liaise with your builder at all stages of the job. Please email plans (pdf format) to admin@graftonair.com.au, along with any queries or comments to help us assess your requirements.

  • What is the operating cost?

    Reverse cycle air conditioning is the most energy efficient method of heating and/or cooling your home or office. Operating costs are determined by how long the air-conditioning system is running and the size of the area to be conditioned. It is essential that the correct size unit is installed. An undersized unit will be significantly more expensive to run, taking longer to heat or cool the area effectively. See our energy saving tips for more information on keeping running costs to a minimum.

  • How long does it take to install a new air conditioning unit?

    Most residential installations of a split system generally take 4-6 hours. The installation of a ducted system generally takes 1-2 days. We can arrange the installation at a time convenient to you. All installation labour carries a 12-month warranty.

  • What maintenance is required for my air-conditioning unit?

    Regular maintenance sustains the efficiency of your system (good for your power bills), prolongs the life of your system and reduces the likelihood of any future breakdowns. Call us to take advantage of our annual maintenance specials. Grafton Air also offers a scheduled maintenance service for both commercial and residential customers.

  • What brands of equipment do you service?

    We service all brands. We also support the manufacturer's warranty on all equipment we sell.

Energy Saving Tips

Energy Saving Tips — Grafton Air in Grafton, NSW

Energy Saving Tips

General Tips


  • Upgrade your air-conditioning system. Replacing air conditioners that are more than 10 years old can save 20 to 40 per cent of your annual heating and cooling energy costs. That's nearly 700 kg of carbon pollution saved.
  • Shut doors to close off rooms not in use.
  • Keep the filters clean.
  • Annual maintenance will keep your system running at peak efficiency.

Summer Tips

  • Install ceiling insulation.
  • Make sure your roof space is well ventilated - during summer your roof space can reach temperatures over 50°C.
  • Turn your air conditioner on early during very hot days, rather than waiting until the room gets too hot.
  • Close your blinds and curtains during the day to keep heat out.
  • Add a boxed pelmet over existing curtains, and close the gaps at the bottom and sides of the curtains to help reduce the heat coming through the windows. Consider that external window shading is more efficient than internal curtains and blinds. Window tinting also works well.
  • When you first enter a hot house, open doors and windows to flush out the hot air before switching on your air conditioner.
  • If practical, cool your home at night by opening your windows.
  • Set the temperature as high as you feel comfortable, generally 24°C or above.
  • Each 1°C decrease can add as much as 10% to your cooling costs.

Summer Tips

Summer Tips — Grafton Air in Grafton, NSW

Winter Tips

Winter Tips — Grafton Air in Grafton, NSW

Winter Tips

  • Set the heating temperature as low as you comfortably can, which is between 18-21°C for most people. It is important to remember that each 1°C increase can add up to 10% to your heating costs.
  • Don't start your unit on a high temperature - it's more efficient to turn it on earlier at 21°C and let it slowly warm the room.
  • At night, close blinds or curtains to reduce heat loss.
  • On sunny days, open your blinds and curtains to allow warm sunlight in, especially north- facing windows.
  • Install draught-stoppers.
  • Wear appropriate clothing so you don't have to set your temperature higher than needed. Putting on a jumper costs far less than heating your home.
  • If you have them, use ceiling fans at low speed or on winter setting to circulate warm air.
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