Suggestion for spilt system air con?

[mrsterryn]

Our ducted air con is almost 15 years old. Wondering if anyone has replaced theirs and put in a spilt system ?
We are in a strata townhouse situation

 

[Cynicor]

You mean a single split system? Or multi-head? Or do you mean reverse cycle ducted?

 

[mrsterryn]

Multi head probable.

 

[Cynicor]

Multi-head systems are expensive, more than individual splits. Best off if you don't have room for multiple external units (bearing in mind that you can stack the outside unit, so you need to be pretty space-poor). I'm leaving my ducted evap in, but putting in Mitsubishi electric splits. 3 units, for baby room, master bedroom and living room/kitchen/dining.

 

[TheRealTMA]

We are believers in ducted systems with zones. More efficient I believe and easier to set and control. But it depends on the house structure.

 

[DC3]

Our ducted air con is almost 15 years old. Wondering if anyone has replaced theirs and put in a spilt system ?
We are in a strata townhouse situation

There will be differing opinions on multi v two or more individual split-systems as to what’s best in each situation.

I eventually chose a single split-system unit installed in each of three rooms of a townhouse. That is, three, all up, suitable for each room size. Compressors are all installed on the roof, similar to the other townhouses in the development. These were not replacing a ducted system. One was a new installation, the other two were replacement split-systems.

Also, air conditioning systems have come a long way in 15 years, ducted and split-system.

Edit: They are all Mitsubishi, and dead quiet. I chose Mitsubishi based on experiencing one in another home.

 

[mrsterryn]

Sounds like a lot more research needs to happen. Our system isn't functioning well and we need a good air conditioner

 

[Cynicor]

Just to complicate your search, there are 2 Mitsubishi aircon companies too- MHI, or Mitsubishi heavy industries, and Mitsubishi electric.

 

[DeKa]

I don’t think you can go wrong with either of the Mitsubishi brands, or Fujitsu. I have Fujitsu and the internal noise is non existent. The external units are quiet on all but 40+ degree days.

In general, the smaller the individual unit, the higher the “COP” so @DC3 ’s setup will likely be far more energy efficient than a multi head unit (but with a higher installation cost of course).

 

[tgh]

We have a few ancient Fujitsu's as well as some new versions and it our brand of choice
The new units are super quiet but I suspect the output figures are a miracle of sales creativity..
The old clunkers were on the ground but we are moving them to the roof as they need replacing.

 

[UP4014]

I have a Fujistu as the main unit and it was replaced at the 20 year mark last year with another Fujitsu. I can say it's an unusal day if I don't turn it on, it would run approx 300 days per year. Also have 3 other units, Mitsubishi, they need replacing so will consider Fujitsu, go for a Japanese brand as heard the Chinese no names burn through the power. My Fujitsu costs about $1.20 per day to run if on all the time.

 

[Brissy1]

I like multiple split systems, have 4 in our bne home, as usually only have 1 or 2 running daytime, 1 at night. But I think that multiple install cost might be a lot more than ducted, particularly as you already have existing ducting. So ducting, + install/upgrade solar panels, might be best ($ and environmental) even though daily kwh is greater.

 

[Cynicor]

Depends on the ducted install. 15 years old, might be evap. Then it could cost a bit to replace.
And upgrading to reverse cycle ducted is a huge job, not a simple change.

 

[DC3]

Just to add a bit more. I selected Mitsubishi Electric, not Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. These are two different companies. 2.5kW for bedrooms, 5kW for lounge/dining.

 

[mrsterryn]

Ok this definitely seems to be turning into bigger than Ben Hur
Some great information here thank you all
@BAM1748 ours runs most days
My husband has an issue with heat (brain tumour ) and we have noticed that our place is just not as cool as it used to be . So for his comfort (and mine lol ) we need an air conditioner that makes our place cool at the very least

 

[DeKa]

Which city @mrsterryn ?
I have an old school aircon contact in Sydney who is good at figuring out what’s wrong. It could be as simple as a faulty damper (air gate device) or leak in a single duct.

 

[NM]

Just to complicate your search, there are 2 Mitsubishi aircon companies too- MHI, or Mitsubishi heavy industries, and Mitsubishi electric.

And Mitsubishi Electric is the one recommended by my installer (two installed last week) based on their vast experience with dealing with them. Our older unit (13 years old now) in another part of the house is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Its still going ok.

We still have 5 more bedrooms we can to cool, all up-stairs with common ceiling space. Still working on the decision choices - 5 x small splits, 1 x 5-head multi-split, 2 x multi-head (2 + 3) split, or ducted. The challenge is that 2 of the rooms do not have suitable external wall space for regular inside head unit to be installed (corner rools with windows on both external walls), so those rooms may need ceiling mounted "cassette" style head units which cost around $500 more than regular wall-mounted head units.

 

[TheRealTMA]

FWIW: We have an Australian Actron Air ducted zoned system. Been very happy with it for many years. Only issue is humidity control (QLD) when outside temp drops to set temp.

 

[tgh]

Our house was an early adopter "natural air flow" house.. long before it all became fashionable… we even have a fireplace ...
If we were to build again ( we won't) ducted and integrated air would be a prerequisite

 

[TheRealTMA]

Our house was an early adopter "natural air flow" house.. long before it all became fashionable… we even have a fireplace ...
If we were to build again ( we won't) ducted and integrated air would be a prerequisite

Fireplace in BNE? Many years ago I thought of one but decided against it. We give wood from our trees to neighbours. Happy with ducted air now.