# Air Conditioning
Canonical URL: https://empireelectricalcontractors.com.au/services/air-conditioning
Empire Electrical Contractors · Phone +61468404608 (24/7)

Split system and ducted air-con install, repair and service

New split system, ducted upgrade, or an old unit that's stopped cooling? We handle the electrical, mounting and refrigerant work end to end — with licensed refrigerant handlers on the crew.

## What's included
- Split system supply and install (2.5-9kW)
- Ducted air-con install and zone controller setup
- Existing split system service and gas top-up
- Dedicated circuit and isolator install from the switchboard
- Ducted zone motor and controller repairs
- Removal and disposal of old units

## Overview
Sydney summers demand air-conditioning that actually works — and most cooling problems are electrical or refrigerant, not the unit itself. We supply and install split systems from Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Haier, from a 2.5kW bedroom unit through to 9kW living-room systems, with the dedicated circuit, isolator, condensate drainage and pipework all in a single visit.
For ducted air-con we handle the electrical scope — dedicated three-phase circuit where required, isolator, zone controller wiring, dedicated smoke detector isolation for the return-air path — and coordinate with a licensed refrigeration partner on the ductwork and outdoor unit lift. Existing ducted systems with dead zone motors, failed controllers or a compressor that won't start are diagnosed and repaired the same visit where the parts are on the van.
All refrigerant work is performed by ARC-licensed technicians — a legal requirement in Australia. Every install includes a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work and a written warranty on our labour.

## Fixed pricing
$350–$1,200 AUD per unit. Workmanship warranty 24 months. Typical on-site duration ~3 hours.

## Symptoms we hear about
- Split system tripping the breaker
- New AC install needs dedicated circuit
- Isolator missing at the outdoor unit

## Common causes
- No dedicated circuit for AC load
- Undersized cabling
- Non-compliant isolator location

## How we handle it
1. **Assess load** — Confirm indoor/outdoor unit ratings and existing switchboard capacity.
2. **Run circuit** — Dedicated circuit, RCBO and correctly rated cable pulled to the outdoor unit location.
3. **Install isolator** — Weatherproof isolator installed within reach of the outdoor unit per AS/NZS 3000.
4. **Certify** — Circuit tested and CCEW issued.

## Applicable standards
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 Clause 4.4 — Isolation and switching
- AS/NZS 3008 — Cable selection

## Recent anonymised jobs
### Dedicated circuit for a new split system
A new split system in the local area needed its own protected circuit rather than sharing an existing GPO. We ran a dedicated RCBO circuit from the switchboard to an isolator beside the outdoor unit.
Outcome: Dedicated compliant circuit, isolator installed, unit commissioned.. Approx. 140 minutes on site.

### Three-phase circuit for a ducted system
A whole-home ducted system in the local area required three-phase power the existing board couldn't supply. We confirmed three-phase availability, upgraded the relevant switchboard section and ran the new circuit to the outdoor unit.
Outcome: Three-phase circuit installed, ducted system fully powered.. Approx. 320 minutes on site.

## FAQs
**What size split system do I need?**
As a rough guide: 2.5kW for a bedroom up to 20m², 3.5kW for a large bedroom, 5kW for an open living area up to 40m², 7-9kW for large open-plan or top-floor living rooms. We measure and confirm on site.

**How much does a split system installation cost?**
A quality back-to-back install (indoor unit directly through the wall to an outdoor unit) starts around $1,650. Longer pipe runs, second-storey installs, cranes for high-rise or ducted systems are quoted per site.

**Do I need a dedicated circuit for a split system?**
Yes — anything over 2.5kW should be on its own dedicated circuit with an isolator within sight of the outdoor unit. It's part of every install we do.

**Are you licensed for refrigerant work?**
Yes — refrigerant handling is done by ARC-licensed technicians on our crew or by a licensed refrigeration partner on ducted jobs. Anyone touching refrigerant in Australia legally must be licensed.

**My ducted system has one dead zone — is it worth fixing?**
Usually yes. A failed zone motor is a $350-$650 repair. A dead zone controller is $500-$1,100. A dying compressor is when we start recommending replacement rather than repair.

**Can you connect air-con to my solar?**
Yes — we install smart controllers and can wire the outdoor unit to run on solar surplus during the day. Combined with a battery it can run for free through most of a summer day.

**Do you remove and dispose of old units?**
Yes — old units are removed, refrigerant recovered under ARC rules, and the unit disposed of at a licensed recycler. Included in every replacement job.

## Reviews
Aggregate: 5/5 across 195 Google reviews.
- Shirish Shetty (5/5, 2026-06-01): Absolutely outstanding electrician and genuinely one of the best people to work with. He diagnosed and fixed the issue within a couple of hours. He was professional, efficient, and reliable.
- Jie Z (Jessica) (5/5, 2026-06-01): VERY HIGHLY recommend! We had an issue with power at home and needed someone urgently to restore the electricity service. They responded quickly, showed up on time, and got everything back up and running without any hassle.
- Vin J (5/5, 2026-03-01): I highly recommend Joe, he's very skilled, kind and does honest work. He did a massive last minute job for us, installing an entire 17.4kw ducted aircon system after our old unit broke.
- Jennifer Cornish (5/5, 2025-11-01): Exceptional Service - Highly Recommend! I contacted Joe from Empire Electrical to install new powerpoints and downlights. His professionalism, punctuality, and thoroughness stood out.
- Jasmin Cumming (5/5, 2025-07-01): I am so glad I called Empire Electrical. Joe is a very honest person which is hard to come by. He explained everything to me and charged me an incredibly fair price.