Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Feb 22, 2011 10:09 am We are under construction and had previously decided not to go with ducted air conditioning with our home builder as it seemed too pricey. We recently spoke to our neighbours who told us the company they used and were very happy with their system so we have now been getting a few quotes, and received a really good quote for a decent system, however our builder has now said that as we didn't make allowances for the air conditioning in the contract, they didn't do the extra things that are required and so, due to basix, we aren't able to have it installed whilst the home is under construction. They also don't allow third parties to work onsite like some other builders do, so it's a no-go all around. I have a few questions that I am hoping someone might be able to help with, firstly, is there any way around this, has anyone been in a similar situation and been able to get the work done? Secondly, if there isn't a way around it, is it very difficult to have a ducted system installed later, even perhaps just upstairs if that's easier? And thirdly, would it be just as effective to get a large split system upstairs in the sitting room, and another downstairs in the family room. Our home is approx 30 squares. We had only one split system upstairs in our previous house (although our previous home was smaller - about 18 squares) but we seemed to manage fine with just that - it was in the main bedroom and had to travel around a corner and downstairs. It was only on the over 40 degree days that it wasn't as effective downstairs, but it was still very comfortable. Re: Air conditioning options 4Feb 22, 2011 1:43 pm Hi Casa2, We were offered A/C as part of a package by the builder (they advertised that it was worth $11500) & was going to be installed during the build. Had a reason to drop into the a/c co that is doing the install & see the price they were charging the builder ($8500). Naturally this would be a bulk builders price but i'd expect with a bit of haggling if we were buying direct I'd be looking @ $9500-$10000. (single storey) I'd suggest it may pay you to contact a couple of a/c suppliers in your area, explain your situation & ask them for a quote. That's what they do for a living so will know the best solution. Neville Got a life, just can't find it! Re: Air conditioning options 5Feb 22, 2011 5:52 pm pace Hi Casa2 How do I do that? Will it slow things up much? You can go on the basix website and enter details. Have all your window dimensions handy as Basix will ask for these. It takes about 1.5 hours to do a Basix certificate and is interesting. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Air conditioning options 6Feb 23, 2011 8:53 am Casa2 pace Hi Casa2 How do I do that? Will it slow things up much? You can go on the basix website and enter details. Have all your window dimensions handy as Basix will ask for these. It takes about 1.5 hours to do a Basix certificate and is interesting. Thanks Casa2, much appreciated. Re: Air conditioning options 7Feb 24, 2011 11:51 pm You can still ask your builder to make the allowances for ducting from upstairs to downstairs (if that was their package) It is easier to run duct or "rough in" duct whilst a building is under construction but should NOT be much more expensive to do later, provided the penetrations and allowances have been made by the builder...would have happened with or without their contractor if that is the system you wanted You get what you pay for! Re: Air conditioning options 8Feb 26, 2011 6:43 pm MagicMuppetMan You can still ask your builder to make the allowances for ducting from upstairs to downstairs (if that was their package) It is easier to run duct or "rough in" duct whilst a building is under construction but should NOT be much more expensive to do later, provided the penetrations and allowances have been made by the builder...would have happened with or without their contractor if that is the system you wanted Thanks MagicMuppetMan, we will be doing the installation later and have received some reasonable quotes, we aren't going with the cheapest, but not the dearest either - it was ridiculously expensive! A few of our neighbours have gone with a company and were very happy with the price and are happy with their unit so that's who we are going with. I'm amazed at how different some of the quotes came back, for the same type of unit, there was a difference in some quotes of up to $6,000, I guess it pays to do your homework. Thanks again everyone! Re: Air conditioning options 9Feb 26, 2011 9:13 pm Always shop A/C quotes - glad it worked out You get what you pay for! Anybody know any good and reasonably priced Air conditioning contractors/companies that could install a ducted air conditioning system in the Central Coast NSW for a small… 0 8985 Standard uninsulated double brick has an R value of around 0.7. An insulated standard 90mm stud timber frame can have an R value of around 2.7. Even if you insulate a… 17 12003 How do you remove one of these ceiling air con vents? And is it possible to disconnect the duct joined to the vent from inside the house, without going into the roof cavity? 0 5900 |