Back-to-back installation explained (and what makes an install non-standard)

Every advertised split system price you’ll ever see — including ours — is for a “back-to-back” installation. It’s the industry’s benchmark configuration, and knowing what it means is the difference between reading quotes confidently and being surprised on installation day.

What back-to-back actually means

The indoor unit hangs on an external wall, and the outdoor unit sits directly on the other side of that same wall. The refrigerant pipes, drain and electrical connection pass straight through — a run of a metre or two. Short pipe run, minimal materials, no roof or wall cavities to negotiate: it’s the quickest, cleanest install there is, which is why it’s the benchmark price.

What makes an install non-standard

Standard pricing is based on a back-to-back installation. If your home needs longer pipework, roof access, internal routing or other additional work, we identify it during the free measure and include it in your fixed quote.

Common examples: the indoor unit needs to go on an internal wall, so pipes travel through the roof space; the outdoor unit has to live around a corner or on brackets; or the compressor’s best home is a long way from the room you’re cooling. None of these are problems — they’re just work, and work should be quoted before it starts, not discovered on your invoice.

The only four extras we ever charge

• Multi-storey access. Additional access equipment may be needed for safe installation.
• Existing system removal. We can decommission and remove your old air conditioner.
• Electrical requirements. Older homes may need a dedicated circuit or switchboard work.
• Non-standard pipework. Longer runs, roof access or internal routing are quoted upfront.

How to keep your quote honest

Ask any installer two questions: is this price back-to-back only? and what exactly happens if my install isn’t? A good company answers both in writing. Our approach: published back-to-back prices from $2,399 fully installed, a free measure at your home, and a fixed written quote — including any of the four extras that genuinely apply — before any work begins. The price we confirm is the price you pay.

Want your number now? The 30-second calculator shows your estimated installed price, honestly flagged if double-storey access or an old unit removal might apply.