Air conditioning contractor glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a air conditioning contractor provider in Perth metropolitan.

What are EER and COP?: EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) and COP (Coefficient of Performance) are standardized metrics that measure how much cooling or heating output an air conditioning system produces per unit of energy consumed.
What is a bulkhead in ducted air conditioning?: A bulkhead is a boxed-in structural frame, typically suspended from the ceiling, that hides refrigerated air ducts and associated components in a ducted air conditioning installation.
What is a chemical wash (coil clean)?: A chemical wash is a deep-cleaning process that uses chemical agents to remove mould, dust, and organic buildup from air conditioning evaporator or condenser coils.
What is a condensate drain line?: A condensate drain line is the pipe that carries water produced during the air conditioning process away from the indoor unit to a safe drainage point.
What is a condenser unit?: The condenser unit is the outdoor component of an air conditioning system that releases absorbed heat to the atmosphere using a compressor, fan, and coil assembly.
What is a gas top-up (regas)?: A gas top-up (regas) is the process of replenishing refrigerant in an air conditioning system, typically done after a leak is detected or repaired, or when the charge has dropped below optimal levels.
What is a head unit (fan coil)?: A head unit is the indoor component of a split-system air conditioner, mounted on a wall or bulkhead, that receives refrigerated or heated air from the outdoor compressor and distributes it throughout a room via a fan.
What is a multi-split system?: A multi-split air conditioning system uses a single outdoor condenser unit connected to two or more indoor head units, allowing independent temperature control across separate rooms or zones.
What is a refrigerant handling licence?: An ARCtick licence is the Australian legal credential that authorizes technicians to purchase, handle, and work with air conditioning refrigerants under EPA regulations.
What is a return air grille?: A return air grille is the vent opening mounted in a wall or ceiling that draws conditioned room air back into a ducted HVAC system for recirculation and reconditioning.
What is a SEER rating?: SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures an air conditioning system's cooling efficiency across an entire cooling season, expressed as the total cooling output divided by total energy consumption in kilowatt-hours.
What is a star rating on an energy label?: A star rating is a 1-to-6 star scale on the Zoned Energy Rating Label that indicates how efficiently an air conditioner unit converts electricity into cooling or heating, with ratings tailored to different Australian climate zones including Perth.
What is a VRF/VRV system?: VRF (variable refrigerant flow) or VRV (variable refrigerant volume) is a commercial air conditioning system that distributes refrigerant directly to multiple indoor units from a central outdoor compressor, allowing each zone to be controlled independently.
What is a Zoned Energy Rating Label?: A Zoned Energy Rating Label displays the energy efficiency rating of a reverse cycle air conditioner across Australia's three climate zones (warm, temperate, and cool), shown on a single label required by Australian Standards for split system units.
What is an evaporator coil?: The evaporator coil is the indoor metal tubing and fins inside your air conditioning unit that absorbs heat from room air, causing refrigerant inside to evaporate and cool the air before it circulates back through your home.
What is an inverter compressor?: An inverter compressor is a variable-speed motor that adjusts its operating frequency to match cooling demand, unlike fixed-speed compressors that run at full capacity or stop entirely.
What is an isolator switch?: An isolator switch is a dedicated on-off device installed near the outdoor unit of an air conditioning system that physically cuts all electrical power for safe servicing and maintenance.
What is ARCtick certification?: ARCtick certification is a mandatory credential issued by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) to refrigeration and air conditioning technicians and contractors who meet training, competency, and legal requirements.
What is capacity (kW) sizing?: Capacity (kW) sizing is the process of matching an air conditioner's kilowatt output rating to the thermal cooling or heating demand of a given space.
What is ducted zoning?: Ducted zoning is a system that divides a single ducted air conditioning network into separate zones, each with its own motorised damper to control temperature independently.
What is R32 refrigerant?: R32 is a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant with lower global warming potential than R410A, commonly used in newer split-system air conditioners and now standard in many Perth installations.
What is R410A refrigerant?: R410A is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant blend widely used in air conditioning systems until recent phase-down regulations, now being superseded by lower-GWP alternatives.
What is refrigerant leak detection?: Refrigerant leak detection is the process of locating gas escapes in an air conditioning system using tools and techniques to pinpoint where the refrigerant is exiting the circuit.
What is reverse cycle air conditioning?: Reverse cycle air conditioning is a heat pump system that reverses its refrigerant flow to provide both cooling in summer and heating in winter from one unit.