There is no uniform solution for every air conditioner requirement. Air conditioning systems for small apartments in multi-storey buildings may be different than those that are suitable for large houses.

When choosing an air conditioner, it is important to take into account your specific climate control requirements and the home itself. Consult your local air conditioning expert to make sure you choose the right size unit for your home’s cooling and heating requirements.

This list will help you decide which air conditioner is best for your home.

Air conditioner style

Air conditioners are available in a variety of styles, allowing manufacturers to offer the best solution for any application. These include:

• Ducted– Indoor & Outdoor unit with air distributed through your home by a system of ducts. The indoor unit is often installed in the ceiling cavity. It can be retrofitted or installed during construction. It offers quiet, unobtrusive heating & cooling.
• Split system is easy to install and energy-efficient. It features an outdoor unit as well as indoor cassette, wall, floor or ceiling units.
• Multisplit System This style has multiple indoor units that are controlled by a single outdoor unit. Each indoor unit can be controlled separately to provide flexibility and individual preference. Multi-split air conditioning systems are only effective if the rooms are close enough to each other.

These styles are available in cool-only or reverse cycle versions. Consider your local climate when deciding which model is best for you.

In southern Queensland and much of the south of the country it can be cold in winter, but hot in summer. This makes reverse cycle air conditioners the best choice. In the warmer parts of Australia, cooling only models may be chosen to keep cool during summer and mild winters.

Choose the right size air conditioner

You should consider several factors to make sure that the air conditioner size you choose will effectively cool or heat your home. They include:

• Size– Room size (width and length) along with ceiling height
• Flooring The flooring material can influence the recommended aircon size. For example, a tiled floor may be cooler and require a higher heating function.
• Aspect: Full morning or afternoon sunlight can place pressure on the cooling systems, requiring a larger system (more power) to maintain cooling.
• Insulation– Ceiling and/or Wall insulation, along with other features like window coverings and awnings as well as double glazing and eaves, can passively prevent heat or cold from entering your home and weather from leaving. This will reduce the need for climate control.

 

Table of Air Conditioner Sizes – Choice

This is an aircon guide for general use. Other than the room size, the other factors mentioned above must also be considered when selecting the correct aircon size. For specific recommendations, speak to your local aircon provider.

Room Size

Capacity

Maximum 20 m2

2-2.5kW

20-40 m2

2.5-5kW

40-60 m2

4-6kW

60-80 m2

5-7kW

80+ m2

6-9kW

Important note:

• The space is too large and can cause energy waste by heating or cooling the area.
• When you are too small, you can use excess energy to cope.

Air conditioning selection can be affected by the design of your building

Air conditioning styles are influenced by the design of your house or building.

Homes without a ceiling void, (the space between the ceiling and roof), may not be suitable for ducted air conditioners that require room for the ducts. Apartments located in multi-storey building can be fitted with either a wall mounted split system or a bulkhead air conditioner.

Your aircon technician will be able to discuss with you the limitations and possibilities for your home design.

The size and style of the air conditioner you choose will depend on how many rooms need cooling or heating. Do you need cooling in your bedrooms only? Only in the living area? You may be looking for a solution to control the climate in your entire home?

Air conditioner budget

The number of the quote on air conditioning has a major influence on many people’s choice of air conditioner. It is important to consider this, but it should not be the only factor.

It is also important to consider the long-term operating costs. You can save money by installing a more energy efficient, better unit. A reputable, proven aircon brand can save you money in the long run by reducing power consumption, and having fewer repairs or breakdowns.

You can also increase or decrease the settings quickly with these systems that are well-designed and easy to use. This will help you avoid overcooling/heating, which wastes energy.

Important Aircon Features

You and your family may have specific requirements for climate control, operation or other features. You can choose from:

• Advanced filtration systems for respiratory problems
• Dehumidifying Features – For Very Humid Environments
• Human presence sensor: reduces running costs when there is no one in the room.
• DRED/PeakSmart-enabled systems are for those who place an emphasis on environmental concerns. These functions reduce the impact of peak demand on mains electricity grid.
• You can turn on and off your air conditioning system using your smartphone via Wifi.
• Ideal for bedrooms or home offices.