Australian’s will spend billions of dollars to stay cool and warm over the year[1]. Therefore, it’s important to take the time to choose the right air conditioning system, so it’s cooling and warming your home efficiently without the energy bill breaking the bank.
Purchasing the most suitable air conditioning unit for your home can be confusing, and with so many models, sizes and features available, it can become overwhelming when shopping. We’ve put together a handy air conditioner buying guide to help you pick the best air conditioning solution for your home.
Know your space
Prior to speaking to an air conditioning specialist, it’s a good idea to be aware of the features and layout of your home. This includes knowing the number and size of your rooms, the direction the building is facing, and whether there is insulation, this will save you time and money. The specialist can then give you the best advice for what air conditioning unit is suited to your requirements, such as:
the size and power of the unit
the type, whether it’s a split system, multi system or ducted air conditioning system
should it be reverse cycle (heating and cooling) or just cooling only for those who live in parts of Australia where it’s hot all year round.
Why is it important to have this information on hand when shopping for a new air conditioning system?
Installing a unit that is the wrong size can increase your energy usage. If the unit is too small for the room size it will be working overtime trying to cool the air down, putting pressure on the outside unit. Alternatively, if the unit is too big it will be running shorter cycles and not creating the perfectly comfortable indoor environment you wanted.
It’s important to also consider your lifestyle, and at what time of the day the air conditioner is most likely to be operating. Most air conditioning systems feature programmable timers. This makes it easy to schedule specific times when the unit switches on and off. For example, if you are working away from home each day, and any children in the family attend day care or school, it’s unlikely you will need an air conditioner running all day. Therefore, set timers so the unit turns on before you wake up in the morning, and again before you get home in the evening.
Request a heat load assessment
A heat load assessment is an important component of the quoting process that’s conducted by an air conditioning specialist. This is to ensure the correct size and type of air conditioning system is selected and installed so that you are provided with the most efficient unit for your property type. New residential air conditioning standards set clear guidelines for specialists, ensuring they adhere to these requests.
Stamp of approval
You should look for air conditioning units that have a consumer recognised stamp of approval. These acknowledgements let you compare units to make a more informed decision based on industry standards and / or customer reviews. The Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand survey is based on consumer opinions of which brand is most trusted by them. In 2019 Fujitsu General was voted the Most Trusted air conditioning brand, for the second consecutive year, as well as being voted the best rated split system air conditioner brand for the Finder Retail Awards 2019/2020.
Star ratings
A range of air conditioning units includes a star rating for both heating and cooling mode. The better the star rating, the more energy efficient the unit performs. This is another clear and easy way to compare units to see which system would be the optimal choice based on the needs of your home and your budget. Valley Air Conditioning has a selection of major brand reverse cycle wall mounted units that have excellent star rating in both heating and / or cooling mode.
Installation by a professional
In addition to choosing an air conditioning system to suit your home, it’s important to have it installed by a professional. Having a trained refrigerant and air conditioning technician install the air conditioning system can prevent problems with the installation such as piping being installed incorrectly. If piping isn’t correctly installed there can be a risk of refrigerant leakage. Refrigerant is an odourless gas, therefore it’s essential that it be handled by a highly trained technician.
With Valley Air Conditioning we are the warranty agents for all the manufacturers that we install and also pride our workmanship so you also have a two (2) year installation warranty period with your five (5) year manufacturers warranty on all our installations.
Demo run
After installation, the installer is required to provide a demonstration to show you how to correctly use the air conditioning unit and controller. This will help you understand the optimal temperature settings, how to set up weekly timers to cool or heat the home when required, and how to change reverse cycle units from cooling to heating mode when the seasons change.
Feature list
Operating an air conditioning unit that is more than 10 years old can contribute to higher energy usage. Newer models are more technologically advanced and efficient, with new energy management features such as Human Sensor control, economy mode, and weekly timers. These features can help to reduce costs as your air conditioner will only be on as needed, therefore making it more efficient for keeping you cool all summer and warm all winter.
It’s important to consider all factors that may affect what is the best solution for your home. By seeking professional advice, and being prepared with your requirements, it will make the selection and installation process easier, and save you time and money in the long run.
