Advice on Getting an Air Conditioner Installed

qaz182 on 26/11/2024 - 23:55
Last edited 26/11/2024 - 23:56

I am looking at getting a single room split system air conditioner installed and realised like with a car mechanic, i'm at a big informational disadvantage when it comes what is a reasonable price or reasonable system choice vs being ripped off by paying too much for installation or an installer that's getting kickbacks for recommending a less than ideal product for my needs.

Have you been through the process of getting air conditioning installed?
What was the process?
What did you do to ensure that you were being charged a reasonable price?
Any mistakes or things you if you had your time over would have done differently?

Do you prefer any particular brands of split system? (or any other system more broadly for anyone reading)
Is there a trustworthy site or place where different systems can be compared?

Home & Garden Air Conditioner

Comments

  • shxhshzhz on 27/11/2024 - 00:04
    +6

    As usual, get several quotes to understand what a reasonable price is before choosing. You can also buy the split system yourself if there are good discounts and pay for installation only if you want to. If you're buying it, select the kW capacity based off the size of the room.

    • altomic on 27/11/2024 - 09:33
      +6

      but if OP does research and gets several quotes now then how will they be able to make a future post about buyers remorse due to making an uninformed purchased?

  • bargaino on 27/11/2024 - 00:21
    +1

    Did it myself. Needed a couple hundred dollars for tools, and was a big job. Definitely not worth it for one aircon, but less stressful than dealing with tradies :)

    • airzone on 27/11/2024 - 00:24
      +11

      I'm pretty sure you need a license for the electrical work, and a different license for the refrigerant work.

      • MS Paint on 27/11/2024 - 00:29
        +5

        Username checks out

      • bargaino on 27/11/2024 - 10:36
        -5

        Nah, nobody cares. Its like saying you "need" to go to church on Sundays. I mean, you probably should, but I don't know you :-)
        Aircon came with detailed instructions for function, safety and compliance. Not rocket science, but not easy to avoid leaks. Pre-flared pipes and Nylog Blue help, but when researching, I heard a lot of stories of people getting it wrong. Modern aircon is very high pressure, so not forgiving.

        • joka on 27/11/2024 - 12:00
          +8

          Only your insurance when the house breaks down and the fire department pinpoints the start of the firs was the air conditioning unit and the insurance company asks for electrical certificates. But other than that, yeh - nobody cares!

          • bargaino on 27/11/2024 - 12:31
            +1

            @joka: OMG, not that old chestnut again. Everything you said is a fantasy. An American one at that - what is a "fire department"? :-)
            Failed splits don't catch fire. If they did it would not spread. And cite just one case of insurance. If you can , we will see if it is remotely relevant.
            Actual reality is that it works for a few months, until you find the fluid has leaked out. Or not. No magical Hollywood explosions.

            How about this: if you are not competent, don't do the job, but don't make up BS either.

      • Jake D on 27/11/2024 - 11:10
        +1

        Only if someone finds out.

    • spal on 27/11/2024 - 07:34
      +1

      I would not recommend. If aircon catches fire and brings the house down, insurance will deny the claim. Not worth it.

      • JIMB0 on 27/11/2024 - 09:39

        They have to prove it wasn't installed to code.

        • Jake D on 27/11/2024 - 11:11
          +2

          "Please email the certificate of compliance you received from the licenced installer"

          • JIMB0 on 27/11/2024 - 12:47
            +2

            @Jake D: It was lost in the fire.

          • Pascal on 28/11/2024 - 08:54
            +1

            @Jake D: Was installed before I bought the house, case closed

      • eek on 27/11/2024 - 10:25

        Pretty hard to do unless you really stuff it up or there are pre-existing issues with the house/wiring. AC installs are relatively straight forward especially a standard single split unit.

    • qaz182 on 28/11/2024 - 01:11

      I wouldn't do it myself (too risky, too much work), but I think this is kinda badass. Respect

    • rogerwilko on 28/11/2024 - 11:30

      What specialised tools do you need to install? torque wrench and vacuum pump?

      • bargaino on 28/11/2024 - 11:59
        +1

        Vacuum pump, oil, manifold gauge set. A pre-flared pipe set avoids the need for other plumbing tools - cut, flare, deburr,

        Torque wrench is expensive, and none of the folks on Youtube seem to use them. You can practice with scales to get a feel for the force you are using. T = Fr . For informational purpose only. I am not recommending this.

        • rogerwilko on 29/11/2024 - 08:08
          +1

          Then chuck on costs for brackets, copper pipe and pipe ducting. Probably upto a few hundred bucks at this point.

          Suppose a sparky is required as well for diy unless it's a small unit that's plugged into 10 amp socket.

          • bargaino on 29/11/2024 - 12:56
            +1

            @rogerwilko: $30 set https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/156010369021
            or https://starsparky.com.au/products/3m-air-conditioner-pair-c…

            Beware cheaper kits where only the end of the pipes are copper.

            • rogerwilko on 29/11/2024 - 16:45
              +1

              @bargaino: Thanks, my take is that your just vacuuming the air out the pipes, then opening the valves to allow the gas to flow. Your not actually adding or removing gas to a system which would be more complex and require the proper vacuum pump for the gas type. I am not recommending this either. Tbh I think that the air con installation for splits for $1000 bucks or less are pretty good value given the work and parts involved. Air con techs seem to be more on the value side then alot of trades I suppose.

  • freefall101 on 27/11/2024 - 00:21
    +3

    One thing to keep in mind is the risk of buying the aircon then getting someone else to install. It can be cheaper, but if there's an issue it can get expensive to diagnose and do the return if there's an issue with it.

    I also recommend bunnings, particularly if you don't know what you're looking for. The install price is based on the install and is reasonable, the cost of their aircon is open to price matching and they stock a wide range and they organise the install. It wasn't a whole lot cheaper for me recently (and they charge per-unit, no discount for multiple ones), but it was very easy. I bought the unit on the day and took it home, installer was in a few days later.

    Mitsubishi Heavy Industries seems to be the preferred Ozbargain aircon, I have two, work great except a slight rattle in one unit. It's worth going with a big name because there are more people who can repair them. I bought a house last year with a Samsung aircon, it was difficult finding a Samsung aircon repairer. Just remember MHI and Mitsubishi Electrics are two entirely different companies, despite sharing a name (but both are pretty good).

  • airzone on 27/11/2024 - 00:22
    +1

    I've always installed Daiken splits in my workplace environments and run them 24x7. Last installation cost $7k, but that was because we needed to hire a crane. They are generally pretty bulletproof. I just get a quote from the installer to supply and install (you need to find one local to you). A retailer may offer an install service but that can be subject to a lot of conditions, or fully T&M.

    My old man had a 10yo LG that ended up blowing up when trees fell on a powerline and knocked 22kv into the 240v line. Along with everything else in the house bar the solar inverter. Before that it was flawless.

    My home has a ducted Mitsubishi and the thermostat is off with the fairies, but I suspect that's due to a dodgy install. The interior temp can be mid 20's, but the temp sensor may think it's mid 30's… It's coupled to the roof space temperature.

    I see a lot of Actron Air systems around where I live. I suspect they're reasonably good.

    You need to make sure you can support the electrical current demand (which will depend on the system size) and you have somewhere where the outdoor unit can freely circulate air. An old unit I lived in had something blocking the unit and it would continually ice up in winter. Also a reverse-cycle inverter system is the way to go. Can keep you warm in winter, and is much more energy efficient than the old on/off style compressors.

    Also given the temperature forecast, expect installers to be out there charging like wounded bulls. This is the exact wrong time to install one if you want a good price.

    • spal on 27/11/2024 - 07:38
      +3

      Hey mate, we have a Toshiba ducted system. We had the same issue. Apparently, the controller can be programmed to go by the temp at the ducts or the controller. We had ours changed to the temp a the controller and problem is solved. Maybe that might work for you too.

      • airzone on 27/11/2024 - 08:40
        +3

        (profanity) genius. Service menu | function setting | address 0 | mode 2 | setting 3..

        Hopefully that'll stop my old man from setting it to 22 degrees and the aircon thinking it needs to cool down Antarctica

  • JIMB0 on 27/11/2024 - 06:10
    +1

    If you're looking to get any kind of government rebate buy it through a retail store such as The Good Guys, Bunnings or Harvey Norman. They do installation and don't seem to jack up the price to take away most of the rebate savings.

    Mitsubishi Electric is my go-to brand.

  • saltypete on 27/11/2024 - 08:47
    +1

    First response pretty well covered it.
    As an aside though, check your place for draughts and made sure the installer actually seals the edges of the opening. Your a/c wont be very efficient if you have uncontrolled air leaking everywhere.

  • sumyungguy on 27/11/2024 - 09:26
    +2

    Run your room through a few different sizing estimators; here's one for starters. Be wary of going under-sized because there can be differences in piping dimensions which means no easy upgrade when your first split inevitably fails. My tip: Daikin Zena comes in 2.5, 3.5, 5.0, 6.0kW

  • Archi on 27/11/2024 - 10:56
    +3

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/864059

    i had a group called airomania install my split a few weeks ago. cost me $2000 including GST for 3.3kw MHI

    Mitsubishi Heavy industries

    if you enquire through wholesale aircons you will get a couple of installers quoting you for supply and install

  • bazingaa on 27/11/2024 - 11:02
    +2

    Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Avanti Plus - 2.5 kW , supplied and installed below $2000 including new wiring, MCB etc, they have provided me Electrical certificates as well
    this is one of the most efficient for heating and cooling RCAC.

    there were some cashback offers that will reduce the cost further,it is not available now: https://www.mhiaa.com.au/promotion/

  • JimB on 27/11/2024 - 11:20
    +1

    I've also purchased the units myself and get someone licensed to install it, sometimes a cash job (without the cert). They've installed it enough times for me and my family.

    Only had one DOA which Fujitsu warranty service promptly fixed.

    Have installed Panasonic, Fujitsu and ME splits. Honestly they are pretty much the same in terms of function and reliability (efficiency is another matter). As long as it's top tier brand and installed properly, they should last a long time, e.g. 15-20 years.

    I also have had a Kelvinator installed in my rental property about 13 years ago. I'm not sure the tenants have cleaned in the indoor filters (or outside). It's still going.

    I remember pre-covid you could get a 2.6kw Panasonic or Fujitsu for ~$600ish after cashback. They are so much more expensive today.

  • bmxr on 27/11/2024 - 11:29
    +1

    Have you been through the process of getting air conditioning installed? Yes
    What was the process? Researched and bought AC. Had it delivered. Went on hipages.com.au. Asked for 3 quotes. Selected an installer that could meet our timeframes, for a reasonable price and had good reviews.
    What did you do to ensure that you were being charged a reasonable price? As above.
    Any mistakes or things you if you had your time over would have done differently? No.
    Do you prefer any particular brands of split system? We went with Fujitsu because it had the best performing filter and we are in an area where we get bushfire/hazard prevention burn smoke very regularly throughout the year.

  • emblurr on 27/11/2024 - 12:01
    +3

    I know a very experienced electrician in Melbourne who mainly does these. He swears by the Mitsubishi Electric ones. I got a 3.5kw for $1063 and $800 for the install/electrical work.

  • brad1-8tsi on 27/11/2024 - 20:25
    +1

    I've had a Daiken single head split installed at my place for 5 years. Works so good I had a double head split installed in the other 2 rooms 2 years ago.

    Used a bunch called Arncliffe Babylon. Their workmanship (when u look close) is 7/10 and the struggled with the trunking on double head because of the complicated wall shape (luckily my roofer was there to help them) but they were many hundreds of dollars less than the other quotes.

    I left it to the owner to work out what size was appropriate for the space.

  • cupcake on 05/12/2024 - 10:36
    +1

    I've had a terrible experience with the installer who did mine.
    Still need someone reliable to come and fix it…
    It only worked well the first Summer and that was it.

    • qaz182 on 06/12/2024 - 17:27

      any advice on avoiding that happening to others?

      • JIMB0 on 07/12/2024 - 13:56
        +4

        Avoid the ones that have only 5 star reviews and very few 1 star. They are bullies and threaten anyone with legal action to take down their 1 star review.

  • qaz182 on 10/12/2024 - 17:16

    Hey guys,

    I got two quotes from the same company (depending on what I want)

    One is for 3.5kW Daikin at $2,500 (Model Number FTXF35W LITE),

    Other for a 4.2kW Mitsubishi Electric (NOT heavy industries) for $2,700 (Model Number MSZAP42VGKIT)

    Both are a single room system with the "inny" and "outtie" just opposite sites of the wall. The room is 24 square metres of standard height. Both are inclusive of kit and installation.

    Any thoughts on whether these competitive quotes? (they seem to be) and whether you'd go for the Daikin (they said it's better for parts long term), or the Mitsubishi (a $200 more but 0.7kW more powerful)

    • sumyungguy on 10/12/2024 - 17:33
      +1

      They're not quoting equivalent systems: Daikin 3.5/3.7; ME 4.2/5.4 (both don't include wifi). Is your room insulated? How much exterior glazing? Room purpose? Typical number of occupants?

      • qaz182 on 10/12/2024 - 18:12

        Neither have wifi (don't need it)
        Room is well insulated (and double glazed windows)
        It's a bedroom and office
        Usually 1 (me), but want it to work if more are here)

        Both quotes are the same except for the unit

        According to what i've looked up, 3.5kW is more than enough, but I hate the heat and would rather pay a bit more powerful and just push it less.

        Thanks for replying, I have appreciated your input here and earlier in the thread

        • sumyungguy on 10/12/2024 - 18:23
          +1

          I concur, 3.5 should be OK. The 4.2KW ME option needs 9.5mm gas lines and you would only need to go up to 12.7mm for 5KW systems. For similar money I prefer the Daikin Zena indoor unit but that's purely an aesthetic choice. This Fujitsu calculator is interesting as it asks your postcode.

    • JIMB0 on 11/12/2024 - 09:58
      +2

      I'd get the bigger one.

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