Summer is fast approaching in Australia. If you don’t have a home cooling system yet, it may be time to start thinking about which type of air conditioner is best for your needs. There are more types on the market than you may initially think.
Choosing an air conditioner is not a simple task. There are many factors to consider when choosing a unit for your home including budget, size of your home and installation logistics.
But don’t worry, we’ve put together this blog to help your decision a little easier. We’ve covered the most popular types of air conditioners in Australia, plus their pros and cons below.
Photo by Zulki Jrzt on Unsplash.
4 Types of Air Conditioners in Australian Homes
1. Portable air conditioners.
If you’re only looking to cool a single room, or don’t have the facilities for a built-in air conditioner, a portable air-conditioner may be the way to go. Standing under a meter tall and normally on wheels, these little guys pack a punch when it comes to cooling down the room.
However, before you go out to purchase one of your own, ensure you understand the pros and cons of this type of air conditioner.
Pros of portable air conditioners:
- Portable air conditioners are easy to move around the room they are required in, however keep in mind they do need a window kit in each room they are operating to ensure effective air flow and safety.
- Most portable air conditioners don’t just cool, they also heat your home in winter — bonus!
Cons of portable air conditioners:
- Whilst these air conditioners may be small they can quickly drive up the price of your electricity bill.
- Not only this but if you’re looking to cool a space larger than 20㎡ a portable air conditioner may not be for you. These units will struggle to cool a space of this size.
Ducted air conditioners.
Ducted air conditioners are common in many newer homes in Australia. These systems are an all-in-one climate control solution, allowing you to control the temperature of your whole house from one panel. All you need in one outdoor unit and a compact internal system — and a good electrician to install.
Pros of ducted air conditioning:
- There are 3 main advantages to ducted air conditioning with the first being the visibility of the internal unit — there is none. The only internal evidence of this system is subtle vents on the floor or ceiling.
- These units also add immense value to your home and can be integrated into your smart home system.
- Did we mention newer systems have the option to customise temperatures in different areas of your house?
Cons of ducted air conditioning:
The main disadvantage of these units is the cost. Installing and maintaining this type of air conditioning can be costly, especially if the unit breaks in a hard to get to space. Due to the complexity of the system they also have to be serviced regularly.
3. Split system air conditioners.
Split systems are the most common type of household air conditioner in Australia. The split system air conditioner gets its name from its two unit make-up, one which resides inside the home and the other on the exterior. The internal unit pumps cool air into the home whilst the external pushes warm air out.
Pros of split system air conditioners:
- Clearly with the popularity of these systems, there must be some good benefits of this type of air conditioning. These systems are fast and easy to install with installation usually taking under a day — depending on the amount of units being installed at the time and the composition of the home.
- Split system air condition units are packed with features including automatic temperature cut-off and on/off timers.
Cons of split system air conditioners:
- The largest set back with these units is the price, due to the power, size and installation requirements these units can be costly.
- The units themselves can often cost in excess of $1000 — not including installation costs.
- Once installed, these units cannot be moved, so think carefully about where you’d like it in your home.
4. Multi-split air conditioners.
If you’re like me and love the air conditioning to be set to Arctic levels, yet everyone else in your home is happy with the standard 24 degrees, then a multi-split system may be for you. They allow you to have multiple indoor units and only one external, meaning each unit can be set at a different temperature.
Pros of multi-split air conditioners:
- The greatest pro of these units is the ability to control the temperature of each room individually. This can prove to be a more economical solution to your air conditioning needs as there is less temperature alterations throughout the day.
Cons of multi-split air conditioners:
- The cost of these units is often higher than other types of air conditioning, they require advanced electrical wiring and piping throughout the home. The other issue with these units is when one breaks, they all break.
Looking to install an air conditioner in your home this summer? Get in contact with your local air conditioning specialist — but get in quick! Bookings will be filling up fast.
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