Advice needed for ducted air conditioner

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  altomic on 21/05/2019 - 22:36

  have a read of all the previous posts on ducted heating

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  Mike88 on 21/05/2019 - 23:16

  +5

  I work in the industry and haven’t heard of Kaden, can’t comment on quality. Recommend going with one of the major brands, especially when it comes to ducted ACs as there can be more issues than with a wall split. Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu etc.
  Cost depends on what you are wanting. Your current 7.5kw would not have adequate capacity to serve the area you have described and would be using the zoning to reduce the area being cooled. A smaller unit with zoning can reduce the cost of the overall product and energy consumption, however you may find it struggles in more extreme conditions.
  Pricing is ok, $800-1000 per kw is standard pricing.
  You can consider repair of the unit depending on the age and cost. Would not consider it if it is 15+ but 5-10 years old would be ok. 7,5kw is not a large air conditioner and would be likely cheaper to repair, normally around $2000 but could be less. Did they provide an rough price for repairs? I often attend AC failures that other companies have recommended replacement but can be fixed for a few hundred dollars. This may be due to inexperience, laziness or greediness.
  Hope this helps.

  • 

    samnoor on 27/05/2019 - 22:17

    Yes around $2000 for compressor change. We find current one struggling all the time due to less power. It also used to trip all the time in extreme seasons so replacement is definitely required, just need to evaluate what is the best value for money. Thanks! Very much appreciate your feedback!

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  [Deactivated] on 22/05/2019 - 00:27

  +1

  i have a actron ducted aircon, its around 15 years old now and the only issue ever has been one of the fans of in the outside unit seized up.
  i get it serviced every few years and clean in the filter on the suction point in the house every 2-3 months.

  zero issues.

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  apsilon on 22/05/2019 - 06:13

  +2

  Mine failed first week of Jan this year. It was a ~13 year old Mitsubishi unit, fans and the controller failed due to a surge. Repair was going to be $1800 or something and a 6 week wait on parts with no guarantee that once that was fixed the compressor or something wouldn't die the next day so I decided to replace. I had some of the ducting upgraded to more insulated stuff, kept the existing outlets but everything else was replaced and cost about $9.5k.

  Went from the 12kw Mitsu one to a 14kw Panasonic. The old unit was adequate but the slightly larger one should be a little more efficient if it doesn't have to work as hard. 3 zones - 3 bedrooms, lounge, dining, kitchen and family room, double brick house. Happy with it so far but by the time I decided and got it installed the worst of summer had passed.

  All of the big names have basically the same warranty and I'd suggest sticking to one of those. If the bloke above who works in the industry hasn't heard of Kaden then that should tell you something.

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  Ryanek on 22/05/2019 - 09:28

  If I could choose again, I definitely would get one with smart connected controls. I like the idea of coming home to a cool house.

  • 

    Mike88 on 22/05/2019 - 10:48

    Depending on the age and make of your product there may be add on accessories you can purchase for smart controls.
    Also most controls have a timer setting that can be useful if you are coming home at regular times. Can always leave air conditioner running at a higher set temp so it isn’t 40 degrees but also isn’t costing too much while you are out.

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  brad1-8tsi on 22/05/2019 - 14:36

  +1

  if you are in Sydney, give Arncliffe Babylon a call. The do Daikin & Fujitsu and work all over Sydney. Their prices are very competitive.