Split system air conditioners are popular in homes and apartments across Australia, thanks to their affordability and relative ease of installation. Within this category, you’ll have a lot of options available to you, depending on your needs and preferences, as well as the size of your home. Here’s what you need to know to choose the best split system air conditioner for your property, along with what to expect during the installation process.
Choosing a split system air conditionerKitchen and dining area with split system air conditioning unit on wall The right split system air conditioner for your home will depend on a number of factors. For starters, you’ll need to determine which rooms need cooling. If your home has an open floor plan, you may only need a single indoor unit to cool the space. However, if the rooms in your home are more defined, you’ll likely need separate units for each area. With multiple indoor units, you’ll still have just a single outdoor condenser to which all of the indoor units will connect. The more indoor units you have, the larger the condenser you will need, so keep this in mind when choosing your system. Each indoor unit can cool a space of up to about 60 square-metres, depending on the capacity of the system. Look for a unit with 5KW of power or more for larger rooms. In smaller areas, you can get away with units with lower power, like 2.8 or 4.2KW, to save money on energy costs. Be sure to check the Energy Star rating as well to find split system air conditioners that are as energy-efficient as possible.
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Choosing an air conditionerService NSW logo In Australia, all technicians who install air conditioners, including split systems, must be licensed. This is because air conditioners require the use of refrigerant, which is regulated by the Australian Refrigeration Council. In New South Wales, you can verify that a technician is properly licensed through the public register for contractors and tradies. Simply input the technician’s name to verify their licence.
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Installing a split system
Air conditioner installation is a highly technical process that is best left to the professionals. When your air conditioning specialist arrives at your home, they’ll typically follow similar procedures, regardless of the system you choose.
STEP 1Remove old air conditioners
Outside view of window sill air conditioning unit If your home already has an air conditioning system installed, your technician will first need to remove the existing system in order to make way for the new one. If you are switching from an old split system to a new one, you’ll likely be able to use the same holes in your walls for the new system, rather than needing to cut new ones, making installation even easier.
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STEP 2Install the new indoor units
Technician installing the inside wall mounted unit of a split system air conditioner in a Sydney home While the specific installation process will vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and size of your new system, it generally follows a similar pattern. First, your technician will need to cut holes in the walls for the pipes to pass through if they aren’t there already. Then, they can install the wall mounts for each indoor unit. Once the wall mounts are in place, it is a simple matter of connecting the electrical wires and pipes, then affixing the air conditioners to these plates.
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STEP 3Install the outdoor condenser
Technician installing the condenser unit of a split system air conditioner outside a Sydney home If you didn’t already have a split system air conditioner installed in your home, your air conditioning technician will first need to lay a concrete foundation for the outdoor condenser. This will keep any water and dirt from the ground out of the unit so that it can operate most efficiently. Once the concrete has set, your technician will then lay rubber pads to help minimise vibration when the unit is operating. Finally, they’ll bolt the condenser to the concrete, going through these rubber pads, and connect the pipes and electrical cables to the indoor units.
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STEP 4Complet the installation
Qualified technician installing a split system air conditioner in a Sydney home Your new split system won’t be quite ready for use just yet, as there are still a few more minor tasks your technician will need to complete. First, they’ll need to vacuum all of the air and humidity from the unit to test for any leaks in the pipes or joints so that they can seal them off. They’ll also need to secure any exposed pipes to your exterior walls and seal off the openings where the pipes pass through. Once the sealant has dried, your system is ready to go! The first time you use it, it may take a few minutes for the air coming out of your indoor units to cool, but after that, you should get cool air right away.
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Costs of the installationHome owner calculating cost of new air conditioning system The cost of your split system air conditioner and its installation will depend on the size and complexity of your system, as well as the amount of labour involved in the installation. If you are simply replacing your old split system with a new one, your labour costs will likely be minimal, as the pipes and foundation will already be installed. For entirely new systems, your labour costs will be at the higher end of the scale. For a single split system unit, you’ll likely pay less than $1000 for the system and installation. For multiple units, your costs will multiply based on the number of indoor units you’ll need. A more complex installation with multiple indoor units will likely cost several thousand dollars, though typically no more than $5,000.
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We are here to helpMOMENTUM AIR GROUP IS HERE TO HELP When you are ready to install a new split system air conditioner in your home, you can trust the experts here at Momentum Air Conditioning. All of our technicians are fully licensed, and our company is accredited by the Australian Refrigeration Council. We have been in the HVAC industry for many years and have the experience necessary to get the job done right. We also offer a five-year warranty on all installations, a testament to the quality of our workmanship. Reach out to our team today to request a free quote for your new split system air conditioner installation.
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