5 points to consider when choosing an air conditioning system

Unfortunately, there isn’t one uniform solution to every air conditioning need. The air conditioning system ideal for a small apartment in a multi-storey building could be very different from a sizeable stand-alone house.

This is why it’s essential to consider the specific requirements of your climate control needs and your home when choosing the perfect air conditioning system. We recommend consulting your local air conditioning specialist to ensure you get the right sized unit to cope with your home’s unique cooling and heating needs.

We’ve put together this list of points to consider when selecting an air conditioning system so your homes climate control needs are met.

#1 Air conditioner style

Manufacturers have developed several main air conditioner styles to ensure they offer a practical solution for all applications. These include:

• Ducted - indoor & outdoor unit with air distributed throughout your home via a system of ducts, the indoor unit often fitted into the ceiling cavity, can be retrofit or installed during the building process, offer quiet, unobtrusive cooling & heating, can be divided into zones - allowing you to shut off areas you’re not using, & increase or decrease the temperature in different zones independently.
• Single split system - straightforward to install for a range of house & apartment designs, energy efficient - features outdoor unit & indoor wall, floor, ceiling, cassette or bulkhead units.
• Multi-split system - this style features multiple indoor units from a single outdoor unit (often up to 6), each indoor unit is able to be controlled individually to allow for flexibility and personal preference. Rooms need to be reasonably close to each other for multi-split systems to be effective.

Each of these styles offers cool only or reverse cycle models. When determining which option is right for you, consider your local climate.

For instance, southern Queensland, as with much of the southern half of the country, can have cold winters as well as hot summers making reverse cycle air conditioning the logical choice. The warmer areas of Australia may opt for cool only models to provide comfort during the summer heat with mild winters not really calling for heating.

#2 Choosing the right size air conditioner

There are several factors that need to be examined to ensure the size of air conditioner you pick efficiently cools or heats your home. These include:

• Size - room size (width & length) as well as ceiling height
• Flooring - the flooring material can affect the recommended aircon size eg tiled floor can be cooler needing an increased heating function.
• Aspect - full morning or afternoon sun can put pressure on the cooling system requiring more power (larger system) to maintain cooling.
• Insulation - ceiling and/or wall insulation, as well as other features such as window coverings, awnings, shading trees, double glazing, and eves, can passively keep heating or cooling in & weather out, reducing your home climate control needs.

Air conditioner size guide table - choice

This is a general aircon size guide as other than room size the aspects mentioned above also need to be taken into account when choosing the right aircon size for your space. Speak to your local aircon company for specific recommendations.

Important note:

• Too big = can waste energy over cooling or heating the space.
• Too small = can overwork using excess energy to cope.

#3 How your building design can affect your aircon selection

The design of your home or the building you live in will have a significant bearing on which style of air conditioning will suit.

For instance homes with no ceiling void (space between the ceiling and the roof) can be unsuitable for ducted air conditioning which needs space for the ducts and indoor unit. Apartments in multi-storey buildings can have the option to be fitted with a bulkhead unit or wall mounted split system style aircon.

However, these design restrictions are not hard and fast with many exceptions and variations, your aircon technician can discuss the limits and opportunities for your particular home design.

Another aspect of your home design which can influence what style and size of air conditioning system are ideal includes which areas cooling/heating is required. Is cooling only needed in the bedrooms? Living area only? Or maybe you’re looking for a whole home climate control solution?

#4 Air conditioner budget

For many, the number on the air conditioning quote has a significant influence on the air conditioner they select. This is a very practical and important consideration, however, it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor.

Long term operating costs need to be considered as well with the opportunity to save on running expenses by choosing to stretch your budget to install a better, more efficient unit. Investing a bit more on a proven, reputable aircon brand initially could save on ongoing costs as more energy efficient, quality manufactured aircon can mean lower power consumption and fewer breakdowns or repairs needed in the future.

Flexible, well designed easy to operate systems also allow you to quickly increase or decrease settings to avoid over cooling/heating which results in wasted energy.

#5 Important aircon features

Make sure the aircon unit you choose caters for any specific climate control or operation requirements you and your family have. These can be:

• Advanced filtration systems - for those with respiratory issues
• Dehumidifying features - for very humid environments
• Human presence sensor - to reduce running costs by switching to the economy mode when no one is in the room for a period of time.
• DRED/PeakSmart enabled systems - for those where environmental features are a priority. These functions help to reduce the pressure of peak demand on the mains electricity grid.
• Wifi connectivity - turn your aircon on or off from anywhere using your smartphone.
• Super quiet operation - ideal for sleeping areas or home office environments.

Buying and installing air conditioning in your home can be a significant investment which is why it’s essential to choose the right system. We always recommend getting professional advice from your local, trusted air conditioning specialist.

References - https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/cooling/air-conditioners/buying-guides/air-conditioners