Choosing The Proper Air Conditioning System For Your Home

On a sticky Gold Coast summer day, there's nothing like waving a magic wand, aka the trusty remote control and transforming warm air into icy-cool air. Or indeed, the reverse: filling your home with comfy warm air on a chilly winter's day. This wizardry can be achieved with the addition of an air conditioner, the big question on your lips must be, what style of system should I get?

So, let us help you out a little on what’s available.

A split system air condition: This type of air conditioner consists of a compressor unit that's installed outside and one or more indoor air outlets. They're usually used to cool one or more rooms, or an open-plan area, of up to 60 square meters.

Inverter technology: With conventional air conditioners, the compressor is either on (working to 100% capacity) or off. Inverters can vary the compressor speed and maintain the set temperature within a narrow range. They are generally more efficient and can cost less to run, although a good conventional model can still be cost-effective.

Cooling-only or reverse-cycle: Reverse-cycle models don't cost much more than cooling-only models and can be used for heating in winter. While the purchase and installation costs can be high, reverse-cycle air conditioners are among the cheapest and most effective forms of heating for large spaces. They cause less carbon dioxide to be produced in power plants burning fossil fuel than other kinds of electric heaters.

Wall/window: These models are usually installed in a window or external wall, and can cool rooms and open-plan areas of up to 50 square meters. Smaller units can be plugged into a normal powerpoint; larger ones may require additional wiring. We don't currently include these models in our reviews, because there are fewer on the market now, as split-systems are more efficient and have become more affordable in recent years.