Split System & Ducted Air Conditioning in Dandenong & Melbourne
Get set up before summer hits. Flow Now Plumbing is a licensed plumbing business based in Dandenong, installing split and ducted air conditioning in homes and rentals across Melbourne, with a focus on the south-east.
Flow Now Plumbing is owner-operated by Cristian Fernandez, a licensed plumber and ARCtick-licensed air conditioning installer. The licensed plumber who quotes your job is the same one who installs it, from the first call to the final check.
Air conditioning work we do
New split system installs
A split system has two parts: an indoor unit on the wall and an outdoor unit outside. Flow Now Plumbing installs both units, runs and connects the refrigerant pipes between them, and sets up the drain for the condensate water. The system is then tested and commissioned before your plumber leaves.
Recent installs include Mitsubishi Electric inverter split systems. The outdoor unit can be mounted on a wall bracket or sat on a ground pad, depending on the house and the space.
Multi-head systems
A multi-head system runs two or more indoor units off one outdoor unit. It's a good option when you want to cool a few rooms but only have space for one unit outside.
Ducted systems
Ducted air conditioning cools the whole house from one central unit, with vents in each room. It's worth looking at if you want every room covered without wall units.
Replacing an old air conditioner
If your old unit is noisy, struggling or on its last legs, Flow Now Plumbing will remove it, dispose of it and fit a new system in its place.
Moving an existing unit
Renovating, or the unit's just in the wrong spot? An existing split system can be moved to a better position.
Servicing and cleaning
Dust and grime build up in the filters and coils over time, which makes the system work harder. A service and clean helps keep it running properly, and it's a good idea before summer.
Repairs
Not cooling like it used to, leaking water inside, or making odd noises? Call Flow Now Plumbing and your licensed plumber will come out and find the problem.
Choosing the right size
Bigger isn't always better. A unit that's too small will run flat out and still not keep up on a hot day. One that's too big costs more than it needs to and can switch on and off a lot.
The right size depends on:
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Room size:Â the floor area and ceiling height of the space you want to cool.
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Sun:Â a west-facing lounge that cops the afternoon sun needs more cooling than a shaded room.
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Layout:Â open-plan areas that flow into a kitchen or hallway need more than a closed-off bedroom.
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Insulation and windows:Â a well-insulated room holds the cool air. Big windows and no ceiling insulation let the heat in.
If you want to cool several rooms or the whole house, a multi-head or ducted system might suit better than a single split. Your licensed plumber will look at the space on site and give you an honest recommendation. You won't be sold a bigger system than you need.
How an install runs
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Site visit. Your plumber checks where the indoor and outdoor units will go, the pipe run between them, the drainage and access.
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Quote. You get a clear quote for the job. A call-out fee applies to the visit.
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Install. The indoor and outdoor units are mounted, the refrigerant pipes are run, and the drain is connected.
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Pressure test and vacuum. The pipework is pressure tested to check for leaks, then the lines are vacuumed to pull out air and moisture before the refrigerant goes through the system.
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Commissioning check. The system is run and checked to make sure it's doing its job. That includes reading the air temperature at the indoor vent with an infrared thermometer.
Recent job: rental split system install in Clayton
The job: A Mitsubishi Electric 5kW inverter split system, installed at a rental property in Clayton in October 2025.
The problem: The property needed a source of cooling in the main living area to meet the rental requirements.
The fix: The indoor unit was installed in the main living area, and the outdoor unit was wall-mounted on the brick, next to the downpipe.
The result: At the commissioning check, a Testo 830-T1 infrared thermometer read 2.8°C at the indoor vent. The main living area now has fixed cooling, and the system was cooling properly before the job was signed off.
Got a rental that needs cooling? See plumbing for property managers → and is your rental ready? →.
For property managers and landlords
A split system in the main living area is one way to meet the cooling standard. Flow Now Plumbing installs split systems in rentals as well as owner-occupied homes, and can service and repair the systems already in your properties.
Victoria has new minimum standards for rental properties. From 1 March 2027, when a new rental agreement starts, or an existing agreement goes month-to-month, the rental provider must have energy-efficient fixed cooling in the main living area. From 1 July 2030, this applies to all rental properties. A split system needs a cooling energy rating of 3 stars or more to count. Some exemptions apply, so check the official rules for your property.
Licensed and insured
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Plumbing licence 125484:Â plumbing, drainage, gas fitting and roofing (stormwater)
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ARCtick licence:Â the refrigerant handling licence needed to install split systems
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Master Plumbers member
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$10 million public liability insurance, current to September 2027
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10+ years in the trade, running Flow Now Plumbing since 2024
Air conditioning FAQs
Do you need a licence to install a split system?
Yes. Installing a split system means handling refrigerant, and that needs a refrigerant handling licence, known as an ARCtick licence. Flow Now Plumbing holds an ARCtick licence as well as plumbing licence number 125484.
What size air conditioner do I need?
It depends on the size of the room, how much sun it gets, the layout and how well it's insulated. A west-facing open-plan living area needs more cooling than a small shaded bedroom. If you want to cool several rooms, a multi-head or ducted system may suit better. Your licensed plumber will check the space on site and recommend what suits it.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
Yes. A call-out fee applies for the visit to look at the job and quote it. You'll be told the fee when you book.
What happens on install day?
The indoor and outdoor units are mounted, the refrigerant pipes are run and the drain is connected. Then the pipework is pressure tested for leaks, the lines are vacuumed, and a commissioning check is done, including reading the temperature at the indoor vent.
Do rental properties in Victoria need air conditioning?
From 1 March 2027, rental providers must have energy-efficient fixed cooling in the main living area when a new rental agreement starts or an existing one goes month-to-month. From 1 July 2030, it applies to all rentals. A split system with a cooling rating of 3 stars or more meets the standard. Some exemptions apply.
What air conditioning work do you do, and where?
Flow Now Plumbing installs split, multi-head and ducted systems, replaces old units (including taking the old one away), moves existing split systems, and does servicing, cleaning and repairs. Flow Now Plumbing is based in Dandenong and covers all of Melbourne, with a focus on the south-east.