Popular Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Brands: Top Choices for Australian Homes
Ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning maintains a comfortable temperature all year round, cooling in summer and heating in winter. Many top HVAC brands in Australia offer reverse-cycle systems including Daikin, Fujitsu, and Mitsubishi Electric.
Choosing a quality ducted reverse cycle air-con can save you money on power bills as they are very energy efficient. Each unit has unique features and benefits so it’s worth comparing several to find the right fit for your home and budget.
Understanding Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Systems
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning systems offer whole-home comfort with interchangeable cooling and heating. These systems use an effective network of ducts to distribute air throughout your home.
Components and Operation
A ducted reverse cycle system has two main parts: an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit contains the compressor and condenser, while the indoor unit, often installed in the roof space, houses the evaporator and fan. These two units are connected by a series of ducts that carry warm or cool air which is then released into the home via vents.
The system uses refrigerant to transfer heat, either removing it from your home for cooling or bringing it inside for heating. The addition of inverter technology also adjusts the compressor speed to match your needs, saving energy and maintaining a steady temperature.
Benefits of Ducted Systems
Ducted systems can cool or heat your whole home evenly and are often quieter than other types of air-con because the indoor unit is hidden in the roof.
You can add zone control to these systems which lets you turn off cooling or heating in empty rooms and set different temperatures for different areas, saving energy and money.
Ducted systems can also boost your home’s value as they are modern and efficient technology, and don’t impair the property’s aesthetics.
Comparing Ducted to Split Systems
Split systems have one outdoor unit linked to one or more wall-mounted indoor units, and are easier to install in existing homes because they don’t need ductwork, which can be tricky to add later. However, they’re more visible in your living spaces.
Ducted systems cost more upfront but can be cheaper to run throughout the year. They’re more suitable for open-plan homes and large spaces. Split systems work well for smaller homes or when you only need to cool certain rooms.
Both types can be very energy efficient but your choice depends on your home’s layout, budget, and heating requirements.
Installation and Running Costs
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning systems require professional setup and incur ongoing costs that you should be aware of.
Installation Process
The first step when installing a ducted system is to speak to a professional who will check your home and suggest the right size unit. They’ll look at your roof space and decide the best location for the outdoor unit.
Next, the team will install the indoor and outdoor units and add the ducts through your ceiling and vents in each room. This can take 1-3 days based on your home’s size.
Finally, they’ll test everything to make sure it’s working well and you’ll get instructions on how to use your new system.
Factors Affecting Installation Costs
The price of putting in a ducted system can change based on a few things:
- The size and layout of your property
- The number of rooms that need to be cooled/heated
- The type and brand of the system
- The accessibility of your roof space
- If the system requires extra electrical work
Bigger homes or those with tricky layouts typically have higher installation costs, more so if the property needs lots of ducts or has hard-to-reach spots.
Understanding Running Costs
The running costs of a ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning system depend on:
- The size of the system
- How often it is used
- Your energy rates
- How well your home is insulated
To keep costs down set the temperature to 24-25°C in summer and 18-20°C in winter, remembering to use the timer to turn the system off when you’re out. You should also close doors to rooms you’re not using and clean air filters regularly.
For additional savings, consider installing solar panels to help offset your energy use while reducing your home’s carbon footprint.
Top Brands for Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning
For high-quality ducted reverse cycle air conditioning, three brands stand out for their quality, efficiency, and features in the Australian market.
Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric is a top choice for ducted systems because its units are well-known for being quiet and energy-efficient. The most popular Mitsubishi Electric option is ZoneControl which allows you to set different temperatures in up to 8 zones.
Mitsubishi’s systems use R32 refrigerant which is better for the environment than older types. Their units also have filters to remove dust and allergens from your air and many models have Wi-Fi control to adjust settings from your phone.
Daikin
Daikin is another leading brand in Australia that makes reliable ducted systems that last for years. Daikin’s Inverter technology intelligently adjusts the compressor speed to keep a steady temperature and use less power. Their units can work well even in very hot or cold weather making them a good option regardless of where you live.
The Daikin Air Intelligence system learns your habits and adjusts settings to save energy without human input. Daikin also offers a 5-year parts and labour warranty on most models making their units a safe, long-term investment.
Fujitsu General
Fujitsu General’s systems are known for being powerful and user-friendly. Fujitsu’s ducted units have a wide airflow range to help cool or heat your home evenly.
Human Sensor technology also detects if people are in a room and adjusts the temperature to save energy if an area is not being used. Many Fujitsu models have a ‘set and forget’ mode to store saved settings so they don’t need to be adjusted regularly.
Fujitsu offers both wall-mounted and wireless controllers to give you flexibility in how you control your system.
Additional Considerations for Selecting a Ducted Air Con
When choosing a ducted air conditioning system you should consider its cooling power, energy efficiency, noise, and air quality.
Cooling Capacity and Efficiency
Your ducted air-con’s cooling capacity should match your home’s size and layout. A system that’s too small won’t cool effectively, while one that’s too big wastes energy.
Check the energy rating label to compare efficiency as more stars mean lower power bills. Some units have variable fan speeds to save energy when your home requires minimal cooling.
Check the refrigerant type too. R32 is a common choice that’s better for the environment than older options.
Noise Levels and Air Quality
Quiet operation is key to a peaceful home so look for systems with low decibel ratings, especially for indoor units. Some brands offer ‘silent’ modes for nighttime use which are recommended for light sleepers.
Good air quality is vital for your health and many ducted systems have built-in filters to trap dust and allergens. Some even have special filters for removing odours or killing bacteria to keep the home smelling fresh.
You should also opt for a unit that has various fan speed settings that let you control airflow. Higher speeds cool faster but can be noisier, while lower speeds are quieter and help spread cool air more evenly.
Contact us today to discuss your cooling and heating requirements and the advantages of ducted air-con.