Electrician for Aircon Installation in Perth: What the Job Needs
Do you need an electrician for aircon installation, or will an aircon installer do? It is a fair question, and the answer is that a proper split system install spans two trades. Using an electrician for aircon installation covers the electrical half of the job. Here is what that means.
Two trades, one job
Installing a split system involves refrigeration work, the pipes, the gas, the commissioning, and electrical work, the circuit, the isolator and the connection. Using an electrician for aircon installation, or a business that holds both an electrical and a refrigerant handling licence, means the whole job is covered properly.
6 facts about using an electrician for aircon installation
- Aircon needs its own dedicated circuit
- The connection is licensed electrical work
- Refrigerant handling needs an ARC licence
- The switchboard must have capacity for the load
- You should get an electrical certificate for the work
- Some businesses hold both licences
The dedicated circuit
An air conditioner is a substantial load and normally needs its own dedicated circuit from the switchboard, with an isolator near the outdoor unit. Running that circuit is exactly why you need an electrician for aircon installation, it is not a matter of plugging the unit into a nearby outlet.
Switchboard capacity
Adding aircon sometimes reveals that the board is full or undersized, particularly in older homes. An electrician checks whether there is room and capacity for the new circuit before the install, so you are not left with nuisance tripping once the system is running alongside everything else.
Refrigerant is separate
The refrigeration side, handling the gas and commissioning the system, requires an ARC refrigerant handling licence, which is separate from an electrical licence. A business that holds both can do the whole install in-house, which is simpler than coordinating two trades and pointing fingers if something goes wrong.
Ask what licences they hold
Before you book, it is fair to ask what licences the installer holds and who is doing the electrical work. A reputable business answers that easily. If nobody can tell you who is running the circuit and certifying it, that is a reason to keep looking.
Get the paperwork
The electrical work on an aircon install should come with a certificate, which matters for compliance, insurance and any future sale of the home. Using an electrician for aircon installation means that paperwork is part of the job, rather than something nobody quite got around to.
Why the split matters
When two separate businesses handle the refrigeration and the electrical, problems can fall through the gap, each assuming the other did it. One provider covering both sides means one point of responsibility, which is simpler for you if anything needs sorting later.
What about a plug-in unit?
Some small systems plug into an existing outlet rather than being hardwired, but the outlet still has to be suitable and on a circuit that can carry the load. Even then, an electrician is the person who can tell you whether your wiring is actually up to it.
Do it before, not after
Any electrical work is far easier to sort before the installers arrive than on the day. Having the circuit and board assessed early means the install runs to plan, rather than stopping halfway while someone works out where the power is coming from.
Why use a licensed electrician
Using an electrician for aircon installation means the circuit, isolator and connection are installed and certified correctly, alongside the refrigeration work. The state’s Building and Energy sets the electrical standards involved.
Need an electrician for aircon installation in Perth?
ACS Electrical is electrically licensed (EC 15832) and ARC licensed (L220483), so we handle both sides. Explore our split system air conditioning service, air conditioner size guide or switchboard upgrades service. Call 0419 967 838.