Size matters, too – our air conditioner buying guide can help you choose the right size air conditioner for your needs. Reverse-cycle air conditioners are relatively efficient, but there's a big difference in running costs between models.
Here's our rough guide to the air conditioner capacity (size) you'll need for aparticular room size.
For more, read our full article: What size air conditioner do you need?
Room size | Capacity |
---|---|
Up to 20 square metres | 2–2.5kW |
20–40 square metres | 2.5–5kW |
40–60 square metres | 4–6kW |
60–80 square metres | 5–7kW |
80+ square metres | 6–9kW |
So, that's the ballpark guide, but you really need to do an accurate calculation before buying your air con, or else you'll run into these issues.
CHOICE tip: Choose a model with equal or slightly greater capacity for the room.
For example, if you calculate the room needs a 6kW model, then look for an air conditioner with rated cooling capacity in the range of 6kW to 6.5kW (roughly). It's probably a safer bet to get a model slightly above the required capacity than slightly below it, as a little extra grunt may help in extreme temperatures. But don't go too much above the required capacity
For more details on air condition efficiency, read our article Air Conditioner Efficiency
Residential split-system air conditioners have to meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) to be sold in Australia. This means you can be assured that any new model you buy will be reasonably energy-efficient.
The more stars, the more efficient the model and the less it should cost to run
When a manufacturer registers a model with the government Energy Rating system, the air conditioner gets a star rating label for cooling and heating based on its test results against the Australian standard for air conditioners. You'll see the label on the model instore or online. This gives you a quick and easy way to compare models.
The more stars, the more efficient the model and the less it should cost to run, assuming it's been correctly installed.
Even a model with one or two stars is still OK, but a model with five or six stars (or more) is clearly better, though the more efficient model might also be more expensive.
For a typical Bedroom 2.5KW budget $2,800 to $3,000 supply and install*
*Indicative price only
A side entry install of an aircon unit is a type of installation where the indoor and outdoor units are not directly aligned on the same wall, but rather on adjacent walls. This allows for more flexibility in choosing the location of the units, as well as reducing the noise and vibration from the outdoor unit. However, a side entry install may also require more piping and wiring, Typically 5.5% more costly than a back to back ( based on a single storey home),
A flyover install of an aircon unit is a type of installation where the indoor and outdoor units are placed on a different wall. However, a flyover install may also require more structural support and clearance for the outdoor unit and may affect the aesthetics of the wall, Typically 30% more costly than a back to back (based on a single storey home & 5m extra piping).