Help with Air Conditioning System. Go or No Go

HunterBargainHunter on 19/05/2024 - 08:37
Last edited 22/05/2024 - 17:47 by 1 other user

In the market for a split air conditioning system for living room and kitchen area. I reckon around 7kw would be needed for the space.
The only active bargain at the moment that I can see is https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/842868

My limited research found these options

https://www.bunnings.com.au/mitsubishi-heavy-industries-5-0k…

https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/kelvinator-c50kw-h60kw-revers…

https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/samsung-c68kw-h72kw-reverse-c…

Should I go for one of those or try my luck to wait for a more decent deal?

Based in Vic north btw.

Electrical & Electronics Air Conditioner

Comments

  • HunterBargainHunter on 19/05/2024 - 08:44

    Also according to the installer who gave me a quote, this rebate https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/households/victorian-energy-up… will require to decommission existing ducted gas heating, which is not something I’m willing to do

    • AustriaBargain on 19/05/2024 - 09:56

      Similar discussion here, consensus seems to be it's worth it still https://www.reddit.com/r/AusRenovation/comments/17pqa2j/vic_…

    • jjjaar on 19/05/2024 - 13:12

      The MHI unit you have linked is not eligible for the rebate. You’ll need to get the Avanti Plus. Not sure about the other two brands but you can check the register https://www.veu-registry.vic.gov.au/Public/ProductRegistrySe…

    • Bargain-er on 20/05/2024 - 07:16

      Yeah I was deciding as well if we should retire the old ducted heating. And if installing multi split instead ducted heating will affect the house price.

    • kiitos on 20/05/2024 - 07:57

      What are your reasons for not replacing your existing gas heating?

      We have central gas heating and air conditioning and am now wishing we had gone with electric heating instead of gas due to costs.

      • HunterBargainHunter on 20/05/2024 - 09:00
        +2

        Reverse cycle heating is much more efficient but I would prefer to have the option to choose which one to fire up instead of having to decommission the gas heating entirely.

  • boomramada on 19/05/2024 - 09:16

    Last cash back offer for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was 2 months ago, unless you want to wait for another year?

    • HunterBargainHunter on 19/05/2024 - 10:35

      It’s still on

      “Purchase Period” means 00:01 AEST 1 May 2024 and 23:59 AEST 31 August 2024 inclusive.

      • boomramada on 19/05/2024 - 14:24

        Then what you wanting for? Santa ?😅

  • m1108 on 19/05/2024 - 09:30
    +3

    I got the Mitsubishi Bronte from Bunnings and it’s excellent. Only used the ac so far and don’t really plan on using the heating as I’ve got ducted gas heating.

    I have a really good install guy who said for me to go the next kw size up than whats recommended. Even though a smaller kw might be adequate for your room size (according to manufacturers), he said it’ll be more efficient in the long term as you can run it lower and use less power vs running a smaller system at its maximum, if I’m explaining it right!

    • HunterBargainHunter on 19/05/2024 - 10:54

      Great advice, thanks. Though the 8kw would stretch my budget somewhat.
      Is 8kW the maximum one could pull from the mains on a single phase?

      • JIMB0 on 19/05/2024 - 11:28
        +1

        8kW is the amount of heat provided. The electricity consumption will be more like 2kW.

        • HunterBargainHunter on 19/05/2024 - 11:41

          Went through the user manual on bunnings for the MHI Bronte but no mention of the max current or power draw. Strange.

          • AustriaBargain on 19/05/2024 - 11:48

            @HunterBargainHunter: It probably does list it somewhere if it's sold in an Australian store. It is confusing that it can output a lot more heat energy than it consumes, you see the huge heat energy output and it's easy to think that it must be consuming that much energy. If it were a normal electric heater then I guess it would consume that much energy if it were putting out that much heat?

            • HunterBargainHunter on 19/05/2024 - 12:32

              @AustriaBargain: No I understand basic thermodynamics where it’s exerting say 2kw to draw the equivalent of 8kw of thermal energy from outside.
              This current draw would determine how big of a wire gauge and circuit breaker required methinks

              • JIMB0 on 19/05/2024 - 15:28
                +2

                @HunterBargainHunter: It's actually only collecting 6kW from outside, the other 2kW is from the electricity going in. This is why they have a higher rating for heating compared to cooling.

          • jjjaar on 19/05/2024 - 13:15
            +1

            @HunterBargainHunter: MHI website has the detail of power consumption and more importantly EEP/COP under tech specs for each product range.

            Their most efficient 5kw is the Avanti Plus, also eligible for the vic gov rebate if you do go that way.

  • HunterBargainHunter on 19/05/2024 - 11:44

    Also maybe worth mentioning that I have an air purifier so pollen and extra filter features are not my top priorities.
    What I absolutely need is a wifi enabled system so I can try and get some automation with HA to maximise the heating based on temperature and solar power generation in those cold yet sunny days. At least that’s what my dream is 😂

    • jjjaar on 19/05/2024 - 13:09
      +1

      Can use sensibo to turn any “dumb” split into a smart one. Or with MHI you can get the extra wifi module, though have read a lot that suggests sensibo is a better product for a similar price.

  • JimmyF on 19/05/2024 - 14:03
    +2

    Should I go for one of those or try my luck to wait for a more decent deal?

    Out of those 3, MHIAA aka Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Unit.

  • sumyungguy on 19/05/2024 - 15:08
    +2

    If you search the forums much insight has been shared about which brands are worthy. My youngest Daikin faulted and the first techs I booked for a site visit quoted $400. Then I realised it was still under warranty so ended up getting it repaired for free (after a 3-month wait through summer).

    • jjjaar on 19/05/2024 - 18:18
      +1

      after a 3-month wait through summer

      I've heard the wait times for Daikin warranty are only getting longer. I've steered clear for this exact reason.

      • sumyungguy on 19/05/2024 - 18:47

        Could still be the least worst option. I know installers and mech engineers who still recommend Daikin & Mitsubishi Electric over the rest.

        • jjjaar on 20/05/2024 - 14:11

          Oh really, ME? Most installers I’ve spoken with much prefer MHIAA over ME.

      • theguru1 on 20/05/2024 - 15:09
        +2

        My experience is that there is no way I would recommend Daikin. MHI orFujitsu are alternatives with better quality and service.

        • jjjaar on 20/05/2024 - 17:14
          +1

          Very consistent with all the advice I received when looking. Most still said Daikin was a quality product, but service has gone so far down hill they don’t want to have to be the one telling the customer it will be ages.

  • Bitplay33 on 20/05/2024 - 10:12

    Definitely get a fully installed quote from an accredited installer. Vic rebates can be worth $1000's off the price of an installed system. Think again about ditching your gas heater. I installed a ,16kw. Daikin ducted underfloor premium air con for $11300 after rebates. Heating is much faster than my old gas heater. Daily electricity cost (2 people) is $4 atm. That includes cooking, heating and heat pump hws.

    • HunterBargainHunter on 20/05/2024 - 14:21

      Yes I now think I have to check this to see if it would be beneficial on the long run (and whether I can pay the initial amount to reap the savings later)

      How does one go about to get a quote? Any gotchas to ask up front? E.g. how they decommission the gas system, in case I decide to put it back if the new system doesn’t meet expectations?

    • HunterBargainHunter on 22/05/2024 - 22:29

      Quick update
      I called a company listed on VEU website.
      Their basic offer to get rebate is to decommission the ducted gas and install three-multi-split system: 8Kw+5kw+3kw from TCL for around $3K.
      Each extra split (room) is $1K extra up to 5 units total.
      No wifi sadly which isn’t being picky but with young kids nobody bothers to turn off AC, lights or set a reasonable temperature.
      While this doesn’t give the same cozy warmth as gas heating, it’s certainly going to be cheaper to run.
      My gas bill is due next week so I’ll see if that pushes me over.
      Thanks to everyone for your input.

      • JIMB0 on 23/05/2024 - 07:36
        +1

        I'd get a better brand even if means less units or paying more.

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