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A large air conditioner generally provides over 6 kilowatts (kW) of cooling capacity. It's important to check what kW capacity is ideal for your room size and how much it will cost you, to figure out whether it's necessary.
To figure out the best aircon model for you, compare kilowatt capacity (kW) against room size and type:
Room size (m²) | Room type | Cooling capacity (kW) |
---|---|---|
≤20 | Small kitchen, bedroom, lounge, studio, small office | 2-2.5 |
20-40 | Bedroom, small room with high ceiling, mid-sized kitchen | 2.5-5 |
40-60 | Large bedroom, ensuite bedroom, mid-sized lounge | 4-6 |
60-80 | Large lounge, large open plan area, office, small shop | 5-7 |
≥80 | Large office, large shop | 6-9 |
For the most accurate measurement, you need to account for a number of factors, including:
You can try plugging your measurements into this capacity calculator from the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating for a quick calculation.
If your aircon is too powerful for your room size, your AC may have to run recurring short cycles to reach the target temperature. This could cause your room to overheat or get too cold, receive insufficient dehumidification or rack up higher running costs and faster wear and tear.
Depending on the specific AC model, your annual running costs could vary by several hundred dollars. The following running costs per year are only an estimate and may differ depending on your usage and energy prices.
Size | Kilowatt capacity (kW) | Annual cost to run (estimated) |
---|---|---|
Small | ≤4 | $306-$492 |
Medium | 4-6 | $391-$552 |
Large | >6 | $286-$586 |
There are five main types of air conditioners: split-system, multi-split, ducted, wall/window and portable.
Type | Best for | Features | Price range |
---|---|---|---|
Split-system | Room/open-plan area ≤60m² |
| $600-$5,500 |
Multi-split | 2-3 rooms next to each other |
| $600-$5,500 |
Ducted | Large homes |
| $5,000-$10,000+ |
Wall/window | Room/open-plan area ≤50m² |
| $400-$1,100 |
Portable | Small rooms ≤20m², those that can't install a split-system at home (e.g. renters) |
| $300-$1,300 |
There are also specific aircon categories, including reverse cycle and inverter/non-inverter types.
A large air conditioner could cost you from around $1,390 to over $5,000, depending on the brand, model and range of features.
The fan pushes hot/cool air throughout the room. To minimise noise and draught, pick a model with a large airflow range and multiple fan speeds.
As well as cool and dry modes found on most aircons (and heat modes on reverse cycle models), some aircons offer fan only, auto and eco modes.
Most aircons have an operating range of -10 to 45 degrees Celsius, which should suit most areas in Australia. If you live in an area that is extremely hot and dry, an evaporative cooler could be a cheaper option for your home. Also check out our renovation tips to beat the summer heat, so you can maximise the cool in your home.
The right mount type for you depends on your room type.
Detects when people are in the room, so that the system knows to keep running – some will even shift airflow towards the person – and when to shut off when no one is around, to save energy.
Some recent models can connect to your home Wi-Fi for remote control via your smartphone, which is handy for pre-cooling your home while you're at work, or if you misplace the remote.
Many air filter systems claim to eliminate allergens, bacteria, dust, mould and odours from the air. If anyone in your household has allergies, asthma or sensitive skin, opt for a filter that's labelled anti-allergen. Some filters also include a self-cleaning feature to keep the aircon interior dry and minimise dust build-up and mould growth.
Better designs will have big, well-spaced buttons with labels that are easy to read and a large LCD screen.
This gradually adjusts the temperature when sleeping so that the aircon is quieter and doesn't use as much energy (you don't need the room to be as cold during sleep, especially in the early morning).
If your energy provider offers the PeakSmart service (mandatory in Queensland), you can pick a model that either includes built-in DRED or offers DRED as an add-on. During peak electricity usage periods, your aircon will remotely switch to an economy mode to reduce your power usage and energy costs. However, this is only available with a few companies in specific states.
For those who live in cold regions, opt for an AC with auto de-icing to prevent frost build-up during winter on the outdoor heat exchanger coils.
Split-system aircons are generally super quiet both indoors and outdoors; however, you should test a model's noise level before purchasing. A loud indoor unit could affect your sleep, conversation and activities, while a loud outdoor unit that's near your bedroom/living room could disturb you and your neighbours. Before buying, check local council and strata (if you're living in a unit) restrictions on specific aircon noise levels.
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