Air Conditioning in Sydney
49/3 Hornsey street, Rozelle, NSW, 2039, Australia
How to buy the best air conditioner
12
July

By Victor /

Updated 15 of March 2022

Purchasing an air conditioner can be simple once you do a little research. You can use professional recommendations and your own evaluation of companies and products to find the right deal. Power and size should be primary considerations when making a final decision. Here’s a guide on how to buy the best air conditioner for your needs.


Checklist of Questions for the Best AC

  • How powerful do you want the AC to be?
  • How much space will you allow the AC to occupy?
  • What are the adjustment charges?
  • What will the electric bill look like?
  • How much maintenance will be involved?
  • Is the air conditioner loud?

ABC AIR specialists are happy to support you discover the proper sample for your house or office of any proportions and configuration. In the tutorial, we help customers deal with air conditioning models. We also describe common causes and conditions that influence the alternative of the air conditioner type.


Types of AC – How to buy an air conditioner

Residential buildings commonly use a reverse cycle split system, regardless of the home’s layout. Another option is the split system air conditioner, which is a two-part system using a refrigerant. The cost of such a system runs from $500 to $6,000. Major developers include Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Samsung, and Panasonic.

For most residentiary buildings, the proper edition would be a reverse cycle split system. This air conditioner may be established in any houses, apartments, and offices, regardless of their layout.

Moreover, buyers could retain on the acquisition of preheating facilities for the colder months of the year.


What Air conditioner do I need

Split system air conditioner ranking

Such a type comprise two parts conjoined by manifold with a refrigerant (particular gas):

  • Potted part;
  • External one.

Such systems are fitting for making a cozy microclimate in placement with no more than 55 m2. The expenses of such air conditioners are ordinarily $ 500- $ 6000 (relying upon the brand’s pricing policy).

Air Con 2.5 kw split system range

brand Daikin Mitsubishi Electric Fujitsu Hitachi Samsung Panasonic  
model FTXF25TVMA MSZ-AP25VG ASTG09KMTC RAS25YHA1 AR09KSFTAWQNSA CS-Z25VKR   
a/c capacity(cooling/heating)  2.5/3.0  2.5/3.2  2.5/3.2  2.5/3.5  2.5/3.2  2.5/3.2  
Star rating  4.5  5.5 5  3  3  5.5  
EER  4.72  4.9  4.7  3.6  3.9  4.8  
COP  4.76  5.0  4.81  3.9  4.2  5.0  
Power input  0.63  0.62  0.65  0.80  0.65  0.62  
Indoor noise level (high/low) 40/20  44/19  40  46/48  38/21  43/19  
Outdoor noise level (high/low) 48/44  46  47/52  61  46 47/62  

Air Con 3.5 kw split system range

brand Daikin Mitsubishi Electric Fujitsu Hitachi Samsung Panasonic
model FTXF35TVMA MSZ-AP35VG ASTG12KMTC RAS35YHA1 AR12KSFTAWQNSA CS-Z35VKR
a/c capacity(cooling/heating) 3.5/3.7 3.5/3.7 3.5/3.7 3.5/4 3.5/4 3.5/4.3
Star rating 4 3.5 3.5 3.5 3 4
EER 3.85 4.02 4.07 3.85 3.72 4.38
COP 4.30 4.57 4.57 4.3 3.85 4.57
Power input 0.86 0.91 0.86 0.91 0.94 0.94
Indoor noise level (high/low) 42/20 45/19 42/22 43/25 39/21 19/46
Outdoor noise level (high/low) 44/49 50/64 49/67 47/48 48 49/50

Air Con 5 kw split system range

 brand  Daikin  Mitsubishi Electric  Fujitsu  Hitachi  Samsung  Panasonic
 model FTXF50TVMA MSZ-AP50VG ASTG18KMTC RAS50YHA1 AR18KSFTAWQNSA CS-Z50VKR
a/c capacity(cooling/heating)  5.0/5.2 5.0/6.0  5.0/6.0  5.0/6.0  5.0/6.0  5.0/6.0
Star rating  2.5  3 2.5   3.5  3.5  2.5
EER  3.61  3.79  4.31  3.38  3.44  4.42
COP  3.59  3.70  4.69  4.05  3.50  4.58
Power input  1.44  1.47  1.16  1.51  1.45  1.31
Indoor noise level (high/low)  45/28  48/28  46/29  47/26  41/25  47/29
Outdoor noise level (high/low)  50/46  69/56  47/48  50/53  51  48/43

Read the full split system reviews from ABC Air

Best Split Review 

Multi-split system review

Sometimes it’s necessary to use a multi-split system where a ducted air conditioning system isn’t feasible. The system typically uses one outside pulley. It’s ideal for making various temperature settings for different rooms throughout the house.

Read this complete guide if you have any issue with your unit Air conditioners troubleshooting

This scheme acts almost the idem as a regular one, but owners may connect not one, but several internal parts to one outside pulley. Commonly, there are no more than eight. The variation is adequate for premises where it is not feasible to assemble ducted air conditioning. Users could adjust diverse settings in every part of the house.

People shouldn’t buy and place several external blocks because they spoil the architectural ensemble, one pulley is sufficient. The multiple system charges are comparable to the expense of assembling several regular split systems.

Ducted air conditioners review

Daikin Slim-Line Ducted

They have an inconspicuous focal pulley, ordinarily inclined out of sight on the housetop or under the level. Conduits put together theocentric sheave with digs through the walls and floor and transmitters in each room. This option is ideal for large homes with complex layouts. Such an air conditioner allows you to maintain different temperatures in different rooms if necessary.

At the same time, it is much cheaper to lay the system at the construction stage. Otherwise, you will have to make adjustments to the interior and buy additional details.

Choosing a ducted air conditioner may require making adjustments to your interior and purchase additional components. The cost of a ducted air conditioner for a mid-sized home ranges from $4,000 to $15,000.

We adice you to take at out Ducted system calculator free tool

Best Window air conditioners

Certain windows allow you to place protective material in the window leaves, blocking sunlight and heat from entering the home. It’s useful for cooling a small apartment and typically is inexpensive, but it may not be the best solution for energy efficiency. In other words, this strategy can lead to surprise energy bills, unless it’s in a temperate climate.

They can be placed in window leaves if the design of the window allows. Also, some homeowners hang such blocks directly on the wall on the balcony or next to the window. This is a good way to cool a small apartment up to 45 m2. Such air conditioners are usually cheap, but not energy efficient at all.

You will save money at the time of purchase, but then you can be disappointed in the power or having received a large electricity bill. If we are talking about the city center, then such blocks can slightly spoil the appearance of the house facades.

Relevant reading

The best window air conditioners 2020

Reverse Technology for Heating and Cooling

Many modern HVAC systems use reverse technology in their engineering, which allows users to switch one system between heating and cooling with the press of a button. This type of system is reliable for providing comfort to a larger group of people compared with other heating and air methods. When the air conditioner is in use, it moves the warm air out of the room. Then when the heater is used, the engine transfers warm air from the street into the room.

One of the main advantages to reverse technology is that it can change the temperature of the room faster than traditional HVAC systems. Another advantage to a properly installed reverse technology system is that it’s fireproof, whereas traditional systems can allow fire hazards. The built-in reverse cycle is practical for predictable climates. But using smart technology with sensors that allows users to monitor room temperature from their smartphones is the best way to cut energy costs.

One air conditioning for heating and cooling

The reverse cycle function is very convenient if you live in a temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters. Why do you litter the whole house with additional heating equipment, if you can combine two in one? The system is built on the fact that you can switch the cycle when you like with just one button. During cooling, the air conditioner draws out the warm air of their room. And with the reverse process, the engine pumps warm air from the street into the apartment.

Many brands of HVAC equipment use reverse technology in their designs. This helps not only expand the target audience but also increase customer satisfaction. Our company only works with trusted manufacturers who have an excellent reputation in the Australian market. Among them are:

  • Kelvinator (Electrolux);
  • Mitsubishi electric;
  • Fujitsu;
  • Daikin;
  • Panasonic;
  • LG.

In addition to the lack of excess equipment in the house and saving on its purchase, the use of reversible air conditioners has another plus. Typically, heaters heat the room slowly. And the blades of the fan built into the air conditioner accelerate warm air around the room faster. Also, properly installed air conditioners are absolutely fireproof, unlike classic heaters.

For residents of areas with warm winters or owners of houses with central heating, air conditioning that works only for cooling is suitable. Such models have the same functions, like Wi-Fi or remote control, as well as motion sensors. Such equipment will effectively cool the house in the summer, while it will cost you less than equipment with a built-in reverse cycle.

How to calculate the air conditioner size?

We offer you rough power calculations based on the size of the room. We are based on the technical parameters of air conditioners specified by the manufacturers and on personal experience.

It’s important to estimate the air conditioner size you need since a machine can be inefficient if it’s too powerful for a small room. Such a condition can be very uncomfortable to the skin if a room becomes too cold or hot. This type of inefficiency leads to higher electric bills due to the strain on the power system. When an engine draws insufficient power, it can cause a decrease in air humidity and accelerate wear and tear on system components.

Generally, for a room size of up to 19 m2 you need 2.1 to 2.6 kilowatts of energy. For larger rooms of 79 and over m2, the amount of energy needed climbs up to 9.5 kilowatts. These are just estimates to keep in mind, as you will need calculations specific to your home made by an HVAC professional.

Room Size Energy
Up to 19 m2 2.1-2.6kW
10–39 m2 2.6-5.1kW
39-59 m2 4.1-6.1kW
59–79 m2 5.1-7.1kW
79 and more 6.1-9.5kW

Now you can roughly guess which power conditioner is right for you. But do not rush to make a choice yourself. It is better to entrust the calculations to professionals to avoid the following problems:

  • Models that are too powerful for room size can often perform short cycles to reach the target temperature. This can lead to the room becoming too cold or hot and excessive drainage of air, which affects the skin severely. Moreover, electricity consumption, electricity bills will increase. And the system itself will begin to wear out much faster.
  • Models with insufficient power can operate more often at maximum power, which leads to a decrease in air humidity and excessive wear of all parts of the system.

For more information about room sizes calculation in our recent guide.

Professional recommendation: air conditioners that are ideally or powerfully selected with a maximum power of maximum 0.5 kW serve their owners the best and longest.

If a specialist considers that a 6 kW model is needed for a room, buy an air conditioner with a rated cooling capacity from 6 kW to 6.5 kW.

Air conditioner professional calculation

Online calculators on the websites of companies involved in the air conditioners installation give customers only a preliminary idea of ​​the necessary equipment power. Before ordering a specific system, it is necessary to call the wizard on the object for more accurate calculations. You can enter the climate and room area data in the calculator, but it still does not take all the nuances. It is necessary to make corrections depending on whether the room is insulated or not, which side the windows face, and so on.

ABC AIR employees take into account the following factors in their calculations:

  • Shading and curtains on the windows.
  • Insulation of the floor, ceiling, and walls.
  • Local climate.
  • Restrictions due to local administration requirements.
  • Frequency of use of the room.
  • The number of people who are regularly in the room.

This is not all the data that we take into account. Masters take into account all the client’s wishes and the smallest house or office details. You may not even suppose that such insignificant things influence anything.

The maintaining a new air conditioner cost?

Medium-sized air conditioners typically cost about $400 to $550 per year, which covers electricity bills and preventive maintenance. The primary factors on air conditioner costs are model design and amount of power. A unit that uses up to 3.5kW, for example, costs from $240 to $490. Meanwhile, an air conditioner that requires over 6.2 kW ranges in price from $440 to $585. These estimates are based on 30 cents per kilowatt hour, which may differ from your area.

Online customers can only get estimations from websites on air conditioner size calculations. Some of the variables that affect pricing include climate, insulation quality and amount of square footage of room space. Other calculation factors include window shading, local restrictions, how much of the room is used and the number of people who regularly occupy it.

Operating costs for a medium-sized air conditioner range from $ 400 to $ 550 per year. This amount includes payment of electricity bills and regular preventive maintenance of the system by the company’s employees that installed the air conditioner.

The maintaining an air conditioner cost is highly dependent on the model and power. But based on our many years experience, we can demonstrate the following figures.

Format Charges
Up to 3.5 kW $240-490
3.9-6.1 kW $400-550
More than 6.2 kW $440-585

We took into account the electricity cost is 30 cents / kWh. If the prices in your area are different, then the maintaining cost will vary.

How to determine the future noise level from equipment?

Today’s air conditioners are quiet both indoors and outdoors, but it’s still important to check the noise level prior to purchasing. You probably don’t want equipment that can be heard by your neighbor. Indoor split systems usually generate a noise level of 15 dB to 55 dB, which is a normal conversation level. Meanwhile the outdoor split systems typically generate machine noise of 40 dB to 70 dB.

To understand roughly what these numbers mean, look at these examples:

  • A noise level of 55 dBA is obtained in a normal conversation between two people.
  • A home vacuum cleaner generates noise at around 75-85dBA.

Pay attention to the rest mode, which allows the air conditioner to operate almost silently. This indicator is one of the most important, along with power. A noisy indoor unit will prevent you from working well or relaxing. Noisy outdoor units can interfere with neighbors and be banned by the local administration. There were times that the sounds of old outdoor air conditioners interfered with their owners, as they came through an open window.

What is affected by blower speed?

Air circulation in a room is affected by the width and the speed of fan blades. The wider and faster the blades, the more effectively the fan moves cool air. High fan speed helps create a cool atmosphere more quickly, but at a higher volume of machine noise. Check to see if the air conditioner you’re considering provides separate functions for draining and humidifying the air.

You can also turn on only the fan, without cooling or heating. This function helps to get a light breeze without coolness if the room is at a comfortable temperature. Some air conditioner models provide separate functions for draining or humidifying the air. The mixing of the air masses in the room also occurs using a fan without involving refrigerant.

Automatic presence detection

The sensor detects whether someone is in the room, so the device knows Smart sensors can be placed in a room to detect the presence of human activity. They can be programmed to respond in certain ways, such as directing airflow toward people in the room. The system goes into economic low energy mode when it doesn’t detect activity for 20 minutes.

Air conditioning control via Wi-Fi

In this case, the user can turn the air conditioner on and off using the One of the most convenient features of a modern AC system is remote control Wi-Fi, which allows the user to turn the AC on or off from another location with their smartphone. This feature can help reduce energy bills by making sure your AC isn’t consuming too much energy while you’re away from home.

What are air filters and self-cleaning used for?

Air filters help protect the health of humans and the ventilation system. The filters collect mold, bacteria, dust and other microscopic debris that often goes unnoticed in a room. By changing or cleaning the filters periodically, you can maintain or improve good indoor air quality. Keeping filters updated is extremely helpful to people with allergies.

The filtration system is often supplemented with a self-cleaning function that allows you to keep the inside of the device dry and reduce dust accumulation and mold growth.

There are special filtration schemes that even trap smoke and superfine particles from the street. They must be installed additionally, or instead of typical filters. But in this case, the air in your house will not only be fresh but still really clean and safe even for asthmatics and allergy sufferers.

Sleeping mode

Since the body cools down at night during sleep, it’s not necessary for the air conditioner to maintain the same amount of cooling as in the daytime. At night you have the option of putting the machine in sleep mode, which results in less cooling while maintaining a uniform temperature using less energy and making less noise.

Here you can talk about energy saving in general. Have you heard about ultra-modern models that have an energy efficiency class of seven stars? This technique can reduce your bill payment costs by 50%. These are huge amounts per year, even for an ordinary cottage. If we are talking about an office multistory building, the savings can be thousands of dollars.

Despite the fact that such devices are more expensive, they pay off in just six to eight months, and then they begin to bring benefits. Such a technique works in the same standard conditions as less energy-efficient appliances. There is no difference in installation either.

Which air conditioning is better?

Room shapes and sizes should influence how you decide on air conditioning solutions. A wall-mounted unit under the ceiling usually works best for a room with a high ceiling. Other options that depend on multiple variables include cassette indoor units mounted on ceilings and floor models for simple room configurations.

Automatic ice removal in winter

It’s necessary in the winter to use anti-icing coating that prevents the coils of the outdoor heat exchanger to freeze. The air conditioner would cease to operate if the heat exchanger froze.

How to install the air conditioner?

Professionals can only install complicated and expensive equipment with a license. Not only your comfort but also fire safety depends on the master. ABC AIR has been operating in the Australian market for more than ten years, and the average specialist experience is 15 years.

A qualified specialist must have a license to work with electric networks. Moreover, when it comes to installing a ducted air conditioner, installers must have a plumber license. Only with a combination of all these conditions you can get a guarantee of the correct calculations and high-quality installation.

Also, think about the period when you plan to purchase and install new equipment. If you do this in the arctic season, it is quite possible that you have to wait a long time in line or pay an additional amount for urgency. When the temperature in the street is still quite comfortable, you can choose without haste. And you call the master at a time convenient for you.

You need experienced licensed installers to ensure your new air conditioner works properly from the start. It helps to choose a contractor that can guarantee the unit is installed correctly.

Conclusion

Choose the type of air conditioner and its power based on professional calculations and recommendations. It helps avoid wearing the parts too quickly if the power is much more than necessary. A block with too little power cannot guarantee you high-quality.

Self-installation or maintenance is always a risk. Contact a professional for the correct installation. Only a professional installer can install the equipment correctly. Otherwise, there is a risk of increased electricity consumption and even a short circuit.

After purchasing your air conditioner, make sure you regularly check the air filter to maintain good performance and air quality. Use your air conditioner as efficiently as possible to keep energy bills under control. By getting your HVAC system inspected by a professional every year you can avoid costly maintenance issues.


FAQ

Can I buy and install my own AC unit?

Only a qualified specialist with a license to work with electrical networks has the right to install air conditioners. It takes knowledge of HVAC systems to select the right device for the size and layout of your home.

Which AC is best for home use?

For rooms with high ceilings, it is better to choose wall models and place them under the ceiling. Floor-standing models are suitable for simple configuration rooms without partitions. For cold regions, the automatic de-icing of the outdoor unit is a very useful feature.

How much does it cost to buy an AC unit?

The average cost of a new air conditioner is between $ 1,200 and $ 6,800. The final price depends on the capacity, required ducting and installation costs.

What size room will a 2.5 KW air conditioner cool?

An air conditioner of this capacity effectively cools rooms up to 20 m2.

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    Victor

    Victoradmin

    Air Conditioning certified specialist in Sydney, Australia. Victor is a highly skilled and certified air conditioning specialist based in Sydney, Australia. With over 15 years of experience in the HVAC industry, John has become an expert in the installation, maintenance, and repair of various air conditioning systems, including split systems, ducted systems, and multi-head units. John began his journey in the HVAC field after completing a comprehensive apprenticeship program and obtaining his trade certificate. He then worked with several reputable air conditioning companies in Sydney, honing his skills and gaining valuable insights into the industry. In 2010, Victor received his Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Council (ARC) certification, further solidifying his status as a trusted professional in the field.