When it comes to achieving the ultimate in home comfort, selecting the best split system air conditioner is crucial for ensuring optimal cooling efficiency. But with so many out there to choose from, how can you be certain which model is the best for your home and your personal needs?
Don’t panic – we’re here to help! Today, we will take you through all the essential factors you need to consider when choosing a split system air conditioner. From capacity needs to energy efficiency and innovative features, we’ll make it much easier to find an air conditioner that fits your requirements and makes achieving the perfect temperature in your home easier than ever.
What is a Split System Air Conditioner?
Before we start, let’s take a moment to look at what a split system air conditioner actually is. A split system air conditioner consists of two main components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.
The indoor unit contains an evaporator coil, fan, and air filter, while the outdoor unit houses the compressor and condenser coil. These two units come together through refrigerant lines and work together in perfect harmony to transfer indoor heat outdoors while simultaneously bringing cooled air back into the space.
It’s pretty simple, really. Hot air leaves, cool air comes in, and you’re left with a perfectly temperate room, even during the hottest Australian weather!
Is a Split System Air Conditioner the Right Choice for My Home?
So, now you know what a split system air conditioner is and how it works. But is it the right type of air conditioner for your home? The best way of determining this is to look at the available space you have.
Split system air conditioners are best suited for small to medium-sized spaces, and they offer precise temperature control and quiet operation without using too much energy. They are also a very good choice for homes without any ductwork or where individual room cooling is needed rather than cooling an entire space.
There are also some other excellent reasons to choose a split system air conditioner, and we’ll discuss these below, along with what to keep in mind when selecting the best model for your home.
What Are the Different Types of Split System Air Conditioners?
Before we get into looking at the most important things to consider when buying a split system air conditioner, let’s take a moment to look at the different types available. There are a few to choose from, and each is suitable for different spaces.
Single-Zone Split System
Single-zone split systems are the most popular type of split system air conditioner, and it consists of one outdoor unit connected to one indoor unit. This makes the ideal for cooling individual rooms or smaller spaces, such as bedrooms, living rooms, or home offices.
Multi-Zone Split System
Multi-zone split systems consist of a single outdoor unit that is connected to multiple indoor units, each of which serves as a separate zone within your home. This type of system allows for individual temperature control in different rooms, making it ideal for larger homes or buildings with multiple areas to cool.
Ceiling Cassette Split System
Ceiling cassette split systems feature a sleek, low-profile design, and this allows them to be mounted flush into a ceiling without compromising space or aesthetics. These work by distributing air evenly across a room using multiple air outlets, making them suitable for smaller homes where space is a premium.
Wall Mounted Split System
As you may have guessed from their name, wall mounted split system air conditioners are installed high on a wall and deliver cooled air directly into the room. These are also a good choice for homes with limited space, but they are a little more unsightly than their ceiling-installed counterparts.
Split System Air Conditioner Buying Guide
Once you know which type of split system air conditioner is best suited to your space, it’s time to look at the finer details to ensure it is able to match your needs and preferences. These include:
Brand
Just as you would when selecting any other type of home appliance, considering the brand that made your potential split system air conditioner is very important. Opting for reputable brands ensures reliability and performance, as well as easier access to customer support when needed,
Established brands also tend to offer more advanced features, such as energy-efficient technology and longer warranties, which offer you peace of mind over your carbon footprint and durability.
Better-known brands also tend to offer a wider range of models and sizes, which makes it easier to find a split system air conditioner that best suits your needs and preferences.
Size
It’s also very important that you consider the size of your split system air conditioner, as this will determine its performance and efficiency. A split system air conditioner that is too small for your home will struggle to cool the space efficiently, which will lead to increased energy costs and, simply, not being able to feel the benefit of its cooling power.
Likewise, a unit that is too large for the space is likely to cycle on and off too frequently, which causes uneven cooling performance and puts the entire system under more pressure.
Energy Efficiency
You also need to look at the energy-efficient features offered by the split system air conditioner, starting with its SEER rating. This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio, and this rating determines how energy-efficient the unit is. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficiency you’ll be offered.
There are also certain innovative features that ensure increased energy efficiency, including inverter technology and variable speed compressors that optimise your energy usage by automatically adjusting the cooling output to match the demands of the space.
Noise Level
This is something that is often overlooked, but it’s actually one of the most important things to consider when choosing the best split system air conditioner for your home. Whether you’re placing it in your bedroom, living room, or office space, a loud air conditioner that makes whirring, blowing noises when it’s in use is going to become very annoying very quickly!
Look for an air conditioner that boasts whisper-quiet operation or other noise-dampening technology. This guarantees that you’ll be able to keep it running without disturbing the tranquillity of your home.
Smart Features and User Interface
As you navigate through all of your potential choices, take a moment to look at the smart features each split system air conditioner has. Features such as Wifi connectivity are incredibly useful and will enable you to control the air conditioner while you’re away from home, as well as create schedules, check your energy usage, and more. Some are even capable of connecting to your smart speaker, allowing you to control the air conditioner using your voice!
Don’t worry if you aren’t particularly tech-savvy, though. Most of these features are pretty easy to use, and even if you want to avoid using your smartphone to operate the air conditioner, you should look at how easy the control panel is to navigate.
Maintenance
It’s a very good idea to choose a split system air conditioner that is easy to clean, including easily accessible filters and self-cleaning features. This not only makes it easier to maintain the health of your chosen model but should any issues arise, it will be much easier for an engineer to inspect and repair anything that goes wrong in the future.
Budget
Finally, think about how much money you’re willing or able to spend on a split system air conditioner. The more features it has, the higher the cost is likely to be. So, weigh up what you need from an air conditioner by taking into account everything we’ve detailed above, and find one that does the job without breaking the bank!
Installing a Split System Air Conditioner
While you may be tempted to try and install a split system air conditioner yourself to try and save a few dollars, it’s always best to hire a professional installer to do this for you. This is because it requires technical expertise and knowledge of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.
At Sun City Air, we offer an installation service along with expert consultation on which split system air conditioner would be the best choice for your home. Our installers are also QBCC licensed, and we provide a full 5-year warranty for parts and labour.
Contact us today for a quote on installing a split system air conditioner in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast.
How Do Split System Air Conditioners Compare to Ducted Systems?
Still not sure if a split system is the right choice for your home? Let’s take a look at how they compare to ducted systems.
Benefits of Split Systems
Split systems come with a huge range of benefits that ducted systems simply can’t bring to the table. These include:
- Flexibility: Split systems can be installed in various configurations, including single-zone and multi-zone setups, making them suitable for cooling individual rooms and entire homes alike.
- Energy-Efficiency: Split systems are generally more energy-efficient than ducted systems as they allow for zoned temperature control, which helps reduce waste by only conditioning occupied spaces.
- Customised Control: Each indoor unit on a split system can be controlled independently, allowing for personalised temperature settings in different rooms and increasing comfort and energy efficiency in the process.
- Aesthetics: Another great thing about split systems is that they are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, which means they won’t compromise your interior design theme.
Drawbacks of Split Systems
Of course, there are also some potential drawbacks to installing split systems in your home as well. These include:
- Regular Maintenance: Although many split systems have features that make maintenance easier, they do require more regular maintenance than ducted systems.
Limited Zoning: While split systems offer zoned temperature control, the number of zones is limited by the number of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, whereas ducted systems offer more zoning options with a single system.
Benefits of Ducted Systems
When it comes to ducted systems, the benefits you can gain from installing one of these air conditioners in your home include:
- Visibility: Unlike split systems, which require visible indoor units, ducted systems have minimal visible equipment, allowing for a cleaner and more streamlined appearance throughout your home.
- Less Obstructed Space: Likewise, as ducted systems do not use indoor units mounted on walls or ceilings, it is easier to preserve the available space in your home.
Quiet Operation: Ducted systems tend to produce less noise than split systems, as the main components (including the compressor and fan) and located outside of your home.
Drawbacks of Ducted Systems
As with all types of air conditoners, there are also some potential drawbacks to ducted systems, including:
- Potential Air Loss: Ducted systems may experience air loss through leaks or poorly insulated ductwork, whereas a split system can deliver conditioned air directly into a space without the need for ducts.
- Complex Maintenance: While maintenance on ducted systems doesn’t need to be carried out as regularly, the cleaning and inspection of ductwork and air handlers is much more complex and time-consuming compared to split systems.
FAQs
Are split systems good for large spaces?
Yes, split systems can be suitable for large spaces, especially when using multi-zone configurations, which allow for efficient cooling or heating across larger areas.
Can split systems heat as well as cool?
Yes, split system air conditioners can both heat and cool indoor spaces. However, the capacity will depend on the model you choose, so it’s best to seek expert advice to ensure you get the right split system for your year-round needs.
How do I determine the right size and capacity of a split system air conditioner for my space?
To determine the right size and capacity of a split system air conditioner for your space, it’s best to calculate the size of the room in square meters or feet. You can do this using a cooling capacity calculator or by consulting with a professional for accurate sizing.
Are split systems energy efficient?
Split systems air conditioners are highly energy-efficient, and many have specific features aimed at reducing energy usage and keeping your carbon footprint as small as possible without compromising performance.
