Choosing the right air conditioner for your home can be difficult, with so many options, features, and figures to consider.
This is why at O'Brien Electrical and Air Conditioning, we wanted to create and share a buying guide for Bendigo residents choosing a new air conditioning to make the process a little bit easier.
In this guide, we walk you through the different types of air conditioners available and list some important things to consider when purchasing an air conditioner in Bendigo.
What Type Of Air Conditioner Should I Purchase?
There are a few different types of air conditioning systems that you can choose between, including:
Split System Air Conditioning
Perhaps the most popular air conditioning system across Australia, a split system air conditioner is a system that has both an indoor and an outdoor unit, with the noisier aspects being situated outside. This system is cost-effective, easy to maintain and energy-efficient.
Ideal for larger homes, you can install multiple cooling units around the home to better control the temperature in different rooms.
Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning
A reverse cycle air conditioning system is a cooler and a heater in one. Using a heat pump, this system relies on the basic principles of heat exchange to provide your home with cool air or warm air depending on which you need at any given time. This system requires only one device too, so it takes up significantly less space.
Heat Pump Air Conditioning
Heat pump air conditioning systems are similar to reverse cycle systems. Using a heat pump to reverse the refrigerant that cools your home, they can heat and cool as needed. These systems work well as dehumidifiers, keeping your home feeling fresh and comfortable.
Heat pump systems are energy-efficient and cost-effective whilst providing you with great temperature flexibility.
Other Things To Consider
There are many different factors in the air conditioning buying process that need thorough consideration before making a decision that is right for you and your home.
We have outlined some of the most important things for you to consider when browsing air conditioners for your home below:
Size
You need to be aware of the available space that you have when choosing an air conditioner, as choosing the wrong sized air conditioner can have detrimental effects.
For example, an air conditioner that is too big for the room that it is placed in can result in temperature extremes (too hot or too cold), failure to properly dehumidify a room, increased costs to run the system, and potential damage to the system over time.
We can help calculate the capacity of the air conditioner that you will need, considering factors such as the size of the room, the type of room, the size and orientation of the windows (if any), shading, floor and wall insulation, and the local climate.
Star Rating
The star rating that an air conditioner has reflects its efficiency level. The general rule is that the higher the star rating, the more efficient and cost-effective the air conditioner is. It’s important to look at the star ratings of different air conditioner models to ensure that you’re making the best choice for your home.
Costs
How much an air conditioner will cost you to run is also an important consideration. The cost of running a small air conditioning system (with a capacity of up to 4kW) stands between $300 to $480 per year, while the average cost of running a medium-sized air conditioning system (4-6kW capacity) is between $400 and $550.
The average cost of running a large-sized air conditioning system (a capacity of over 6kW) stands between $420 and $600. Ensuring that your air conditioner is the correct size is key to keeping costs low.
Noise
Checking the noise levels of an air conditioner before you buy it is essential as noisy air conditioning systems can be a nuisance, especially if you’re running them while you sleep.
Features
There are a number of features to consider when buying air conditioning systems, including:
- Fan speeds: A higher fan speed is better in very hot temperatures, while a low to mid fan speed is more suitable for humid climates. The more fan speed options there are, the greater control you have over your system.
- Sensors: Presence sensors continually scan the room for body heat and movement, turning off or reducing the air con if there is no one there, saving you money.
- Control options: Think about how to want to control your system, whether it’s via wifi, an app, or remote control. App-controlled A/Cs are great if you want to be able to control your system when you’re away from home.
For more information about our range of air conditioning systems at O'Brien Electrical and Air Conditioning Bendigo, as well as our air conditioning services for homes across Bendigo and central Victoria, contact us today on (03) 5442 1455 or send an email to [email protected]. We are ready to assist.
