Whether you live right in the heart of Sydney, closer to the beach or in the Western Suburbs, you’ll be no stranger to air conditioning. Given our country’s extremely variable climate, air conditioning requirements will differ across Australia. But if you’re shopping for a new system today or over the next few weeks, there are a few key thing you’ll need to consider before you start shopping.
1. Where do I live?
The first question to ask yourself is what the weather is like where you live… now and all year around. With average temperatures consistently on the rise, cooling is a serious requirement for many Australians. However, we do still experience cold temperatures in the winter – and if you feel the chill as well as the heat, you may want to consider an air conditioner that addresses both. This is where a reverse cycle air conditioner comes in handy – it heats and cool to keep you comfortable all year round.
2. How do I live?
The other thing to consider is the size and set-up of your home. If you’re in a small studio apartment, a single neat unit should suffice – but if you’re in a sprawling family home, you may want to look at more comprehensive systems. It’s also good to consider which parts of your home you use the most. For example, if you and your family are usually in the living room, that will be a space to prioritise – but if you’re most concerned about a comfortable sleep, your bedrooms will be more important.
3. Do I need permission?
Do you own or rent? Even if you’re a homeowner, you might need approval from your strata committee or owner’s corporation before you go ahead and install air conditioning (especially if you’re in a unit). The upside: installing air conditioning will almost certainly add to the re-sale value of your home, providing you buy a good quality unit and stay on top of maintenance.
Of course, if you’re renting, you’ll need to seek permission to make any kind of alteration to your home – start by asking your property manager or landlord (reminding them it’s a good investment!). If you plan to live there for a while, you might even want to suggest pitching in for the cost of the installation.
4. What are my options?
It may have been a while since you looked at the air conditioners available, or maybe you’ve never shopped for one before. In any case, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of models out there and all the tech involved. To help you narrow down the playing field, you can sort air conditioners into three main types:
Split
Known as ‘split’ systems because the system is ‘split’ into two units: one inside and one outside. These are very popular in Australia as they’re relatively cost-effective to install and run.
Multi-Split
These are split systems that have more than one indoor unit, all of which are connected to a single outdoor unit. The beauty of this system is that you can use it to heat or cool individual rooms or a different area of the house independently.
Ducted
Also known as central air conditioning systems, these are made up of an outdoor unit situated outside of the home, an indoor unit located in the roof cavity, and ductwork connecting the indoor unit to outlets in different rooms. They can be very economical, especially for larger homes.
But there are also heap of other options too – like VRV systems, VRF systems, cassette units and so much more! Contact us today for free and experienced advice on the best type of system to suit your needs.
5. How much do I have to spend?
There are two main things to keep in mind here: first, the upfront cost of the unit and installation, and secondly, the ongoing cost of running it. Better quality, energy efficient units tend to be more cost efficient to run, but it really comes down to selecting what’s right for your home and the space you’re looking to heat/cool.
As for the upfront cost – well, that comes down to what fits comfortably within your personal budget.
6. What will installation involve?
Putting in any air conditioning unit will involve a degree of work on your home – and it’s a good idea to be prepared for the realities of installation. For instance, a simple split system can often be installed in a few hours, while a complex ducted system may take more than one day of work as it will require people to crawl around in your roof. If you’re concerned about how your home may be altered during the installation process, it’s best to talk to your installer. They can walk you through what needs to happen and explain any cutting or drilling that may happen along the way.
7. Where can I go for advice?
The world of air conditioning can be confusing, but we can’t stress the value of expertise enough. At Eastern Air Conditioning, we take pride in recommending systems that best suit your home or business, budget and unique requirements to keep you, your customers or staff comfortable all year round.
We were established in 2008 by our managing director and fully qualified technician, Andrew Debreczeni. And while we’ve grown exponentially over the years, Andrew still manages all our jobs and technicians, keeping in close contact with our customers at all times.
And because we work regularly with all the major air conditioning brands, we have great access to all types of systems from companies you can relay on, access to live technical support on site and can offer you extremely competitive pricing on your system.
We also hold all the relevant contractor and construction licences required and hold a full Refrigerant and Air Conditioning licence and Refrigeration Trading Authorisation with ARC Tick.
Whatever your air conditioning need, we’re here to help with the best advice, professional service, exception communication, unbeatable workmanship and after-installation support. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you.