Air Conditioning Kareela Done Carefully in 1970s Homes
Kareela was developed from the late 1960s, and most homes are solid double-brick houses built in the 70s and early 80s. They are great homes to air condition, but older building materials mean we check before we cut, drill or climb into the roof.
Updated October 2026
Air conditioning in Kareela usually goes into solid double-brick homes from the 1970s and early 80s. These homes are well suited to ducted and split systems, but many were built when asbestos products were still used in eaves, ceilings and wall linings, so installs need a little extra care before any drilling. Alpha & Omega has worked in Shire homes of every age since 1989.
Why We Check for Asbestos Before Installing in Kareela
SafeWork NSW estimates that about one in three NSW homes built or renovated between 1945 and 1990 contain asbestos. In a typical Kareela home, that could mean fibro eaves, older ceiling sheets or wall linings.
Installing air conditioning means drilling through walls and eaves and working in the roof. If a material might contain asbestos, it should be checked before it is disturbed.
Our approach on site
- We ask about the age of the home and any known asbestos
- We avoid drilling suspect materials until they are confirmed safe
- Where needed, testing or removal is done by licensed asbestos professionals
- We plan pipe and duct routes through materials that are not a concern
Our Process for Installing in an Older Kareela Home
A few extra checks at the start keep the job safe and on schedule.
Tell us about the house
Its age, past renovations, and anything you know about asbestos.
Site visit
We look at the roof space, eaves and walls along the likely pipe and duct routes.
Flag anything suspect
If a material might contain asbestos, we let you know before any work is planned through it.
Testing if needed
A licensed assessor can test it. Removal, if required, is done by licensed removalists.
Install
Once the routes are clear, the system goes in as normal, with drop sheets and a clean finish.
Handover
We show you the controls and set a service date.
Which System Suits a Kareela Home?
Double-brick 1970s homes are good candidates for most system types.
| Home | What we tend to see | Our usual suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Single-storey brick home | Good roof space and a simple layout | Zoned ducted reverse cycle Ducted → |
| Two-storey or split-level | Bedrooms upstairs that get hot | Ducted with separate zones per level Zoning → |
| Main rooms only | You mostly use the living room and main bedroom | Two inverter splits, or a multi-split Split options for brick homes → |
Air Conditioning Installation and Servicing in Kareela
New systems, replacements and servicing for established homes.
Ducted installation
Whole-home comfort for single and two-storey brick homes.
Ducted →System replacement
Swapping out original or ageing units.
Replacements →Split systems
For the rooms you use most.
Splits →Multi-split
Several rooms on one outdoor unit.
Multi-split →Servicing
Annual cleans and safety checks.
Servicing →Repairs
Faults diagnosed and fixed.
Repairs →Signs Your Kareela Air Conditioner Needs Attention
Older systems in older homes tend to give fair warning before they fail.
Call us if:
- Warm air is coming from the vents while the system runs
- A grinding or clattering noise from the outdoor unit
- A burnt or musty smell when it starts
- Water marks on the ceiling or wall near the indoor unit
- It trips the switchboard when turned on
- The system is so old that parts are hard to find
Kareela Air Conditioning Questions
Does my Kareela home contain asbestos?
It might. SafeWork NSW estimates about one in three NSW homes built or renovated between 1945 and 1990 contain asbestos. The only way to know for sure is testing by a licensed assessor.
Can you still install air conditioning if my home has asbestos?
Usually, yes. We plan pipe and duct routes to avoid suspect materials, and where something does need to be disturbed, testing or removal is done by licensed asbestos professionals first.
Do you remove asbestos?
No. Asbestos testing and removal should be done by licensed specialists. We work around it, or after it has been dealt with.
Is ducted air conditioning suitable for a 1970s brick home?
Yes. Most Kareela homes have good roof space for ductwork, and double-brick walls help hold the temperature once the house is comfortable.
Should I replace an original system or repair it?
If it is decades old, noisy or needing major parts, replacement usually makes more sense. We will give you honest options for both.
What licences do your technicians hold?
ARC refrigerant handling licence AU54289, with NSW contractor licence 329810C.
Other Suburbs Near Kareela
We look after homes of every age across this part of the Shire.
Air Conditioning Installed the Careful Way
Book a licensed technician to look at your home and recommend a system. You will get a fixed price before any work starts.
*Call-out, travel and quote visit fees can vary depending on the job and where you are. We'll confirm any costs with you when you book, before any work starts.
Sources: SafeWork NSW, asbestos in the home; Kareela, Wikipedia.
Sydney coastal climate specialists providing whisper-quiet, energy-efficient ducted and split system air conditioning solutions engineered for residential comfort.
AREAS WE SERVICE
Licensed local technicians and an Authorised Daikin Specialist Dealer across Sydney, backed by a lifetime workmanship warranty.
Air Conditioning Sutherland Shire
Air Conditioning Eastern Suburbs
Direct Line: 1300 156 466
Licence: ARC Lic #AU54289 | NSW Contractor #329810C
© 2026 Alpha & Omega Air Conditioning Services. All Rights Reserved. Fully Licensed & Insured.