Air Conditioning & Heating
Discover the mechanics and the technology behind mini split air conditioners and learn how the inverter technology changed the air con game. Read more.
Please note that price information in this article was based on data from 2018, and may now be outdated.
Mini split air conditioners are systems for home cooling and heating. They consist of two units: one indoor and one outdoor. The outdoor unit consists of the compressor and condenser, while the evaporator and the air control system are indoors.
This type of cooling system is excellent for homes, houses and apartments because it allows you to create temperature zones in different rooms, and they are very easy to use. They use remote controls for temperature regulation, turning on and off and other functions.
Installation is much easier than the one needed for a central air conditioning system. The outside and the inside unit are connected with the necessary ducts and electrical wiring that fits through a hole that is no more than 8 cm in diameter.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Mini Split Air Conditioner?
Mini split air conditioning installation can cost anywhere from $90 to up to $17,500.* It depends on the hours spent on installation and the conditions of work. For example, if you live in an apartment on the top of a 15-storey building and your air conditioner outside unit needs to be attached to a difficult-to-approach spot, the job will be more expensive.
On the other hand, an easy air conditioner installation will take less time and be cheaper. You should discuss the details about your home and your air-con with an experienced installer. If you really want to get high-quality work for a fair price, you should negotiate with different installers.
Get quotes from several installers and discuss the work with them. Ask them about the quality of materials they plan to use and the estimate of hours they plan to spend working in your home. Service Seeking offers you the chance to do all that online. Copy the same questions to different air conditioner installers and compare their answers.
How Do Mini Split Air Conditioners Work?
Mini Split Air Conditioners work in cycles. The cycle starts in the outside unit, where the compressor creates pressure on the refrigerant (gas R410a) and leads it into the condenser. When reaching the condenser coil, the refrigerant turns into liquid and then is forced through the narrow duct.
Upon leaving the duct, the pressure on it suddenly drops, so it is able to extract the heat from the air, leaving it cooled down. The heat is then released outside, the cool air is dispersed inside by a fan, and the refrigerant goes back to the compressor to repeat the cycle.
In simple words, the refrigerant doesn’t cool the air so much, as it extracts the heat from it. That’s why most of these appliances can be used for heating, as well. By switching the reversing valve, the heat is extracted from the outside and diverted inside and the other way around.
What Is the Best Brand of Mini Split?
The most reputable brands for mini split air conditioners in Australia are Daikin, Mitsubishi, Kelvinator and Panasonic. All these brands have different series, lines of products and target customers.
Therefore, it is hard to discuss which is the best because the correct question would be – which is the best for my particular room? Factors that people take into consideration when buying their air conditioners are the conditioner power, design, noise levels and reliability.
What Is a Mini Split Inverter?
The mini split inverter means that the split system is using a technology that allows it to run at different capacities. It improves the lifespan of the device, and it improves its functions.
The old models of air conditioning systems didn’t have this technology. That means their compressors used to have two modes – on and off. They would turn on if the temperature was higher than desired and turn off as soon as the temperature reached the desired levels.
This constant on-and-off work caused the air conditioners to break down more easily and to burn out. The inverter technology means that the start/stop work is history and has a lot of new benefits for air control systems. Some of those include:
- Less noise during work
- Better ability to control temperature
- Better energy efficiency
The inverter system changes the air conditioner frequency based on the heat load that it needs to dispose of. Therefore, it doesn’t work any more or less than it has to in order to perform its task of cooling down the room.
How Many BTU Mini Splits Do I Need?
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, and it is the measurement of air conditioner cooling capacity. How many BTUs you need depends on the surface of the room you want to cool down.
| Room size (square metres) | Air Conditioner BTU |
|---|---|
| 15 – 30 square metres | 6,000 – 9,000 BTU |
| 30 – 50 square metres | 9,000 – 14, 000 BTU |
| 50 – 110 square metres | 14, 000 – 21,000 BTU |
| 110 – 140 square metres | 21, 000 – 24, 000 BTU |
You will notice that the sizes and the BTUs are given as approximates and ranges. That is because there are factors that greatly influence the BTU of your air conditioner. Bad insulation, extreme climate and unusually high ceilings can add up to 30% to the required BTU.
For example, a 15 square meter room that has high ceilings and horrible insulation and a house in a tropical climate can need air con with just as much BTU as a well-insulated, standard ceiling, moderate climate home of 30 square meters.
Mini split air conditioners are a good and convenient option for homes in Australia. Especially those that don’t have the central cooling system installed at the time of the home building. While the installation is not that complicated, it still requires a professional.
It is illegal and dangerous for an unlicensed person to try and install an air conditioner in a room. That’s why you need a good and reliable installer.
Visit Service Seeking and get quotes from several experts. These estimates will help you calculate the overall cost of your mini split air conditioning system and automatically find you the best person for the job.
