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As per the Brisbane City Council website please find below step.

Buying an air conditioner

If you decide to buy an air conditioner, it's important to plan your purchase carefully. Buying the wrong air conditioner for your home, can waste your time, money and cause problems with your neighbours.

New energy efficiency ratio (EER)

The Queensland Government has recently changed the legislation regarding the minimum tested average Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of air conditioners.

The minimum EER for air conditioners sold or purchased after 1 September 2009 must be 2.9 or higher for cooling. This rating roughly equates to a 4-star rating under the current AS/NZS 3823.2:2005.

This improved rating is to ensure your air conditioner is more energy efficient and save you money on electricity.

Before you buy an air conditioner

An air conditioner is not the only option for cooling your home in Brisbane.

Before you buy an air conditioner:

  • install insulation in your roof. Insulation can reduce your air conditioner's ongoing operating costs. Read the Green Home's insulation fact sheet
  • think about low-cost alternatives such as roof-top vents and ceiling fans
  • paint the outside of your home in a light colour to reflect the sun's heat
  • cool your home using shade such as trees, shrubs and awnings
  • consider whether you want to air condition the whole house or just some rooms
  • be aware of where you will put the air-conditioning units and the noise it will generate for your neighbours

For more information about environmentally friendly ways to cool your home, read the Green Home's cooling and heating your home fact sheet.

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Types of air conditioners

The types of air conditioners include:

  • wall/window mounted units
  • split systems
  • ducted systems

Wall/window-mounted systems

Wall/window-mounted systems are:

  • usually fitted in an opening cut through a window or wall. The heating and/or cooling and circulation components are housed inside a single box
  • often mounted high on the wall of the room to be air conditioned. This can increase the amount of noise nuisance to your neighbours, especially if your air conditioner is close to their bedrooms or relaxation areas

Split-system air conditioners

Split-system air conditioners have two components, the:

  • evaporator/control panel is located inside your house
  • compressor/condensor/fan section is usually put on the outside wall of the room that is being air conditioned

The split system's outside unit can be installed closer to the ground. This means that you can use fences or other barriers to screen noise coming from the unit.

Ducted-system air conditioners

Ducted-system air conditioners have three main components, the:

  • compressor/motor/outdoor fan section is usually located outside
  • indoor section has a fan and other electrical controls
  • zone box that controls the air flow to each duct

Ducted systems can be more expensive to buy but they are better at distributing cool and warm air around the house. You also have more flexibility with where to install the noise-generating equipment.

Planning your installation

It is important to think about noise issues before you install your new air conditioner. If your air conditioner causes a noise nuisance for your neighbours, Brisbane City Council can:

  • direct you to move the air conditioner or put a sound enclosure around it
  • issue on-the-spot fines
  • direct you to turn the air conditioner off if it is causing significant annoyance to your neighbours

You can help reduce air conditioner noise if you:

  • hire a reputable air conditioning installer with an approved licence and knowledge of air conditioning noise issues
  • avoid locating noisy equipment next to multiple reflective surfaces such as corners and eaves
  • use barriers such as solid fences and retaining walls to screen noisy equipment from your neighbours
  • install an acoustic enclosure if you must install the unit close to your neighbours

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