There are many factors when selecting the right type of air conditioning system that suits your requirements and home in Canberra. We believe the three main drivers are:
1. COST– The outlay now and ongoing and selecting a system that suits your budget & needs:
Regardless of the cost we only supply and install units that we trust and recommend. We can help but to be honest, if we don’t stock a system for a reason, we will let you know. The last thing we want to be doing is coming back to repair units we have installed. All units will breakdown at some point in their life however correctly sized units and a professional installation, carried out by a trade qualified HVAC Tradesman, is the first and greatest factor in a reliable system for years to come.
2. ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Looks and cost come second and third if outright efficiency is the main driver. However, you must be careful to ensure the correct sized system is selected over a more efficient system. An undersized, efficient system will use as much power, if not more, than a correctly sized system that has a less efficient rating. Inverter systems have the ability to run above their rated capacity however at this point the additional power input is not proportional to the capacity output. For example, if you required 8kw of heating and you’re deciding between the Daikin FTXM50W and the Daikin FTXM71W, where one has 8kw on maximum and the other has 8kw at rated capacity.
- The Daikin FTXM50W has a rated capacity of 6.0kw heating and uses 1300 watts, it has the ability to deliver 8.0kw but its power input jumps to 2350 watts.
- That’s an extra 1050 watts input for only 2000 extra watts output, or 80% increase in power input.
- FTXM50W star rating 4 Star cooling and 4.5 Star heating.
- If we were to select the FTXM71W, this system has a rated capacity of 8kw and uses 1880 watts. It too has the ability to go beyond its rated capacity and will deliver 10.6kw.
However, if both systems were delivering 8kw of heat, the larger FTXM71W consuming less energy for the same heat output, the FTXM50W is using 35% more power for the same 8kw. This data was taken from the Daikin Engineering data book.
3. ASTHETICS & APPLICATION
If you’re building a new home and you’re going all out for your house to look amazing, you’re not going to just install a wall mounted unit up on the wall! Yes…it will work, it will do its job to provide heating and cooling however that wall would look far superior with artwork, or an architectural feature installed. In this instance, you would want the air conditioning system to blend into the building and not be a feature, a system to just provide comfort so you can enjoy your new home. Or perhaps the house has flat ceilings with no cavity to enable the installation of a ducted system. This is where a VRV system with a mix of mini ducted, built-in bulkhead units above wardrobes or a concealed console unit would be suitable. The VRV system gives a lot of flexibility with only one outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units of varying size and individual control.
See our YouTube videos for some VRV projects we have completed.
INSTALLING AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Some key points to think about when you are considering installing an air conditioning system would be:
BRAND
- Choose a brand that is supported by the installation company with after sales service
- Install a well-known brand by ensuring there are authorised agents in your area that service that brand
- Ensure that spare parts are stocked and readily available
LOCATION
The location of a high wall split system does not want to be on a wall where the air will be constantly blowing on you, as this will be extremely uncomfortable. It is best to place the unit in the most suitable position for the room and where people will be occupying the space, opposed to an easy location to install the unit. A little extra cost now to ensure the system in installed in the best location will deliver more comfort and be far cheaper than moving it at a later date.
THE INSTALLING COMPANY
Are they trade qualified? Do they hold a Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning?
Do they offer after sales service? Are they Authorised Dealers and Service Agents for the brands they sell?
