Fortunately over the last five years or so, the air conditioning industry has improved its products, components and its legal obligations to the commercial and public sectors. Regulations on noise, power usage and efficiency have played a huge role in providing end users with quieter and more efficient units.

For example, it is mandatory for all single phase and three phase air conditioners, manufactured in or imported into Australia, to meet the MEPS (Minimum Energy Performance Standards) levels specified in the relevant Australian Standards.

Conversely, ARC (the Australian Refrigeration Council) is responsible for granting Refrigerant Trading Authorisations and Refrigerant Handling Licenses, approved under the regulations and in accordance with the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Gas Act 1989. By law, all installations of split-system air conditioning systems must be carried out by a licensed technician.

It is also a little known fact that the air conditioning industry is viewed by the Builder’s Registration Board as being a builder by definition and as such has a legal duty to conform to the Home Building Contracts Act 1991.The Act deals with contracts for home building work where the contract price is above $6,000 and below $200,000.

The overall responsibility for any air conditioning company is conforming to the Building Codes of Australia (materials) and code 1668 part II (all ventilation/extraction) as part of the Australian Standards.

Needhamair conforms to all of these criteria and in most instances surpasses the minimum requirements of each body, Act or code related to air conditioning.

For further information on each of these regulators, please contact us.