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Jun 14th, 2024
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Melbourne winters are long, and so many of us rely on heaters to stay warm and cosy throughout the cooler months. Much like cars and other appliances, your heating system needs a little TLC to perform at its best. This is why regular maintenance is so important. 

As much as regular maintenance and repairs are vital, so is the company you hire to handle the job–particularly if this is your first time booking in a heating repair service! With this in mind, we’re going to provide a beginner’s guide to choosing a reliable heating repair service.

With our advice, you’ll be able to get bang for your buck, find a reliable heating and cooling team, and keep your system in peak condition.

What Types of Heaters Need Servicing?

In general, there are four heater styles that will require regular servicing. 

These are:

  • Gas Log Fires
  • Gas Ducted Heating
  • Split Systems
  • Hydronic Heating

While the recommended timeline varies, every single one can benefit from a professional service. Throughout this article, we are going to provide a breakdown for each type so that you can get the most appropriate information on the heater you own.

How Often is Maintenance Required?

As we’ve already noted, the window between each service varies depending on the specific type of heater you own. Here are the recommended guidelines for all types:

Gas Log Fires: According to Jetmaster Heat & Glo, the general recommendation is that your gas log fire needs to be serviced once every two years. In general, a professional service helps to ensure that your gas fireplace is both safe and clean. 

Gas Ducted Heating: As noted by Energy Safe Victoria, all gas based heaters should be serviced every two years, and ducted systems are no exception. This service must be handled by a qualified gas fitter and involve a range of safety and performance checks (including any potential Carbon Dioxide leaks). 

Split Systems: On average, a reverse cycle split system needs to be checked by a qualified HVAC technician once every two to three years. This will involve regular performance and technical checks, as well as any minor repairs that may be required.

Hydronic Heating: The general view within the heating and cooling industry is that hydronic heating should be serviced on an annual basis. This is because it is more complex and involves components in hard to reach areas. 
Remember, the last thing you want is your heater to break down at the height of winter, and organising a service is the best method of prevention. So, if you’re not sure, call us now to book a gas heating service or split system service today!

What Are the Major Signs a Service is Needed?

First things first, if your heater won’t turn on or is struggling to start up, this is the most obvious sign that you need professional maintenance or repairs. In this situation, we recommend that you don’t waste any time and reach out to us straight away. 

In other circumstances, it may be harder to know when it’s time to call in the professionals.

Gas Log Fires

When it comes to gas-based appliances, you can never be too safe. If you own a gas log fire, we recommend that you keep an eye out for the following warning signs:

  • Soot stains
  • Heat damage
  • Yellow flame
  • Temperature issues

Gas Ducted Heating

If you own a gas-ducted heating system, we recommend that you keep an eye out for the following warning signs:

  • Unusual noises
  • Uneven heating
  • Reduced airflow
  • Strange odours

Split Systems

For split systems, these are just some of the warning signs you need to keep an eye out for:

  • Water leaks
  • Strange smells or noises
  • Unresponsive controls
  • Inconsistent temperatures

Hydronic Heating

Hydronic heating is a serious investment. As a result, you’ll need to keep up with the warning signs and arrange a service as soon as they arise:

  • Unusual noises
  • Leaks or moisture around the unit
  • Inefficient heating
  • Pressure drops in the system

What Should I Look for in a Heating Cooling Company?

Licences and Accreditation

This is an undeniable prerequisite that servicing technicians have to meet. In order to perform maintenance or repairs to your heater, they must be fully licensed, accredited, and insured. These all certify that the technician can carry out the necessary checks in a safe and compliant manner.

If you own a gas-based heater in Australia, only a licensed gas fitter is allowed to handle the job. Put simply, this is non-negotiable.

OH&S Compliance

Heating maintenance and repair works often involve hard to reach areas and various other safety risks. While this should go without saying, your servicing technicians must operate in accordance with the current OH&S requirements.

In some cases, the company will state on their website or marketing materials that they adhere to all OH&S requirements–so make sure to keep a lookout for any mention of it!

A Clear Track Record

Before you hire a tradesperson, you need to know that they are capable of handling the task at hand. Heater servicing is no different. 

Finding a company that has a clear track record has many benefits. For starters, it illustrates that they have hands-on experience, as well as the years of technical expertise that go along with being in the industry for years and years. 

Another way to gauge a company’s track record is through reviews and testimonials from customers. These are normally easy to find and should appear on Google and various other review based websites.

Specialist Expertise and Experience

Whether you own a Rinnai heater or a Daikin split system, it’s always a good idea to partner with technicians who have specific experience with that brand. A technician who’s familiar with the model, unit, and brand is ultimately able to carry out a service that’s both efficient and effective.

For example, if the model you own is known to have a particular fault or flaw, they’ll already know to keep a close eye on it and perform the necessary tests. This knowledge also applies to how much the service/repair works are likely to cost.

Clear Quotes and Communication

If you’re looking to arrange maintenance work, nothing’s worse than not knowing where you stand or how much the service is likely to cost. For this reason, we recommend partnering with companies that are clear, transparent and upfront about both of these aspects right from the start.

A reputable heating and cooling company will be upfront about the associated costs and provide clear information about the state of your heater. Fixed service prices are a great example of this. 

Bonus points if the technicians are friendly and offer excellent customer service!

Offers and Discounts

What’s better than getting a great heating service? It’s getting high-quality services with many offers and discounts!

While the cost of living continues to rise, there are still avenues available to make small savings. Offers and discounts, for example, can really help to ease the financial burden–especially for larger-scale servicing and maintenance work. 

At Maroondah Air Services, we offer a range of offers and discounts that are designed to put money back in your pocket. This includes referral discounts, pensioner discounts, multiple appliance discounts, and $50 off if we fail to arrive on time!

Reviews and Referrals

Although we’ve mentioned this already, we can’t understate the importance of reviews and referrals. Reviews are, without a doubt, one of the best ways to measure a company’s level of customer service. In large part, this is because they give you a firsthand look into the experience of their customers, as well as what to expect when you hire them.

In much the same way, getting a referral from a friend, colleague or family member adds an extra layer of trust and better informs your search. Of course, it can also speed up the process.

Integrity

In the heating and cooling industry, integrity is the cornerstone of quality customer service. How can you gauge this? Clear communication, honest prices, and ethical practices are all great places to start.

A company that operates with integrity builds trust with customers and provides clear and accurate information about costs, timelines, and the scope of work. 

How can you gauge their integrity further? Seek out references, reviews, and testimonials from past clients to gain insights into their experiences, which will all help you to make a well-informed decision.

What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Heater Serviced?

In the state of Victoria, servicing gas heaters isn’t a preference; it’s a requirement. As a landlord or business owner, failing to arrange a gas heating service within the recommended window will have consequences. However, beyond these regulations, it’s also the best way to keep your heater effective, efficient, and safe.

Even if you own an electric or reverse cycle system, putting off heater maintenance can lead to a variety of issues. First, the efficiency of the heater may significantly decrease, which then leads to higher energy bills as the system works harder to produce the same level of heat. 

An unserviced heater is also more prone to breakdowns and costly repairs, which can be inconvenient and expensive. Safety, of course, is a major concern. Gas heaters that are not properly maintained can develop faults that may lead to dangerous situations, such as gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities. 

Regular servicing includes checking for leaks and ensuring that the heater is venting properly, which can prevent these potentially life-threatening hazards.

Book in a Heating Service Today

With over 20 years of industry experience, Maroondah Air Services is your reliable partner for heater servicing in Melbourne. Our services are affordable, efficient, and handled by fully licensed and accredited technicians with years of training. 


Whether you need to book a gas heating service, a hydronic heating service, or a split system service, simply give us a call, and we’ll be there in a swish. Our team operates with integrity and never cuts corners. Read through our customer testimonials here!

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