Feedback on Installing Midea Multi Split AC (Heating & Cooling) vs Electric Ducted Heating?

LBobL on 03/02/2025 - 17:51

I'm looking to install a new heating and cooling system in my home, which has 3 bedrooms, 1 master bedroom, 1 theater room, and 1 living room. I’m considering a Midea Multi Split AC system (6 units total) for both heating and cooling. Here’s the quote I’ve received:

Outdoor Unit: Midea MULMI0618B Multi Split Reverse Cycle – 18kW cooling & 20.5 kW heating capacity
Indoor Units: Midea Venus Premium Heads
1 x MFAG70-N (7.0 kW cooling & 7.5 kW heating for the main living area)
2 x MFAG36N (3.55 kW cooling & 3.8 kW heating)
3 x MFAG26N (2.6 kW cooling & 2.7 kW heating)
Total cost: $3600 AUD.

I’ve already installed gas ducted heating, but I'm considering whether to also install an electric ducted heating system (4 zones), with a quote for a Hi-Sense system coming in at $8500 AUD.

I have a few questions:

How well does Midea perform for heating during winter? Is it efficient and reliable?
Is the Midea Multi Split system a good choice for energy efficiency and durability, or is it better to go for the Hi-Sense Electric Ducted Heating system?
Does Midea have a good reputation for quality and longevity, or is it too new of a brand to be trusted?
For someone who’s already installed gas ducted heating, is it worth investing in electric ducted heating, or would the Multi Split AC system be enough for both heating and cooling needs?
Looking forward to hearing any experiences or advice!

Electrical & Electronics Air Conditioner

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 03/02/2025 - 18:40

    Possible there's a digit missing from your Midea quote?

    • meong on 03/02/2025 - 19:13
      +1

      Thats after govt rebate

      • elgrande on 03/02/2025 - 21:48

        Vic or cth?

        I'm in NSW, the above price seems to good to be true.

        • meong on 03/02/2025 - 21:51

          VIC

          • freefall101 on 03/02/2025 - 22:16
            +1

            @meong: I'd install that tomorrow if I could get it for $3,200 here in Vic.

            • Brick50 on 08/02/2025 - 15:46

              @freefall101: You can if you have ducted gas heating and your house over 2 y/o

              • freefall101 on 08/02/2025 - 16:02

                @Brick50: You might be right, I was taking the removal into account (I actually did have ducted gas, I had to remove it when I bought the house though because it was leaking, I stupidly didn't look into rebates) but this place seems to have the system for $6,400.

                I'm not sure if their price takes into account the rebate already though.

                • Brick50 on 08/02/2025 - 21:02

                  @freefall101: Yes that takes the rebate into consideration, in my instance my quote is $10,480 for 4 head midea system - $6880 VEEC rebates = $3200 payable

                  • freefall101 on 08/02/2025 - 21:19

                    @Brick50: That's awesome, although I thought the rebate was $2,940? I must be missing one of the rebates.

                    I'm kicking myself I didn't look into it further. I spent $4k on one large and one small split system.

                    • Brick50 on 08/02/2025 - 21:26
                      +1

                      @freefall101: Nah
                      2 reasons:
                      The $2940 figure is just an estimate on a certain number of VEEC certificates. These certificates are generated when the retailer/installer installs the system.
                      The certificates are traded on the market so price of them can fluctuate, the certificates are currently worth a lot more than the website suggests so the discount was always going to be bigger than that.

                      Secondly the number of certificates generated are dependent on the system you are installing. So the midea and smart user systems are very large systems (18kw) so they attract more certificates and thus a larger discount. These multi splits have basically been manufactured to suit the rebates.

                      Midea even list on their website as “VEU series” and market the product as “VEU Approved Product, High VEECs” so it’s basically just built to generate the biggest possible rebate

          • elgrande on 04/02/2025 - 12:46
            -1

            @meong: Does it require removal of an old system to be eligible.

            • meong on 04/02/2025 - 13:09

              @elgrande: yes, but if the cost of removing it (getting a hoist to safely drop a huge ducted system) is too expensive, you can just ask them to cap the gas connection to the heater which basically makes it inoperable

  • MS Paint on 03/02/2025 - 18:48

    What is electric ducted heating? 🦆

    18kW cooling & 20.5 kW heating capacity

    Do you have 3 phase power?

    • Brick50 on 03/02/2025 - 20:44

      Electric ducted heating would be a reverse cycle ducted system, whereas this unit is a multi split system with individual heads

      I have a 63A main switch single phase, and intend to get this system. I believe the max amps is around 30A but I will realistically only be using approx 10kw total capacity (have 2 heads on most of the time)
      With my 63A main switch I intend on running 2x existing 3.5kw splits, this new multi split, induction cooktop, heat pump HWS, EV in the future.
      Yes I will need to make sure I don't run everything flat out at once but doubt it will be an issue, and also consider than any solar being consumed doesn't go through the main switch so likely won't be an issue for OP during the day if he has solar

  • Ocker on 03/02/2025 - 19:14
    +1

    Obviously a lunatic troll post - Total cost: $3600 AUD.

    • Brick50 on 03/02/2025 - 20:42

      OP will be decomissioning his gas ducted system, to be fair it is a very good quote. I have been quoted $3600 for same system with 4 heads which I will likely go with.

      Government rebate is around 8-11k I believe in vic to remove gas ducted systems

    • cauilfield on 03/02/2025 - 22:58

      standard pricing for midea in VIC now after the rebates

  • meong on 03/02/2025 - 19:26
    +1

    For everyone who thinks the above is impossible, please find my explanation here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16123646/redir

    I got the Midea.

    Midea is not new. It has been around for quite some time especially in Asia. Other companies also sell rebadged Midea.

    The benefit of the Midea which is what they call multi-head split system (multiple indoor units but one outdoor unit) is that its space saving, less cost for installation and no need for ducts.

    The cons is that having indoor unit means the fan is in the room with you. So it will be generally be noisier than ducted systems.

    If you go with ducted systems, its more expensive and you may be able to re-use the existing ducted systems but some may say the ducts are not compliant/needs to be bigger etc so ensure you get that assessed too. The benefit is of course you dont hear the fans.

  • Summoner on 03/02/2025 - 20:37
    +1

    I previously rented a new apartment with a multi-head Midea air conditioning unit (2 indoor and 1 outdoor unit). The air conditioner was fine while it was working. However, it stopped working after about two and a half years. I assumed it was still under warranty since it had only been two and a half years, but the repair was not done for almost a year. So I ended up moving. Warranty might be an issue if it ever fails.

    • Brick50 on 03/02/2025 - 20:47

      Can I ask how long ago this way? Midea has been around a long time as other commenters mentioned but I believe they only came to Australia around 12 months ago.
      I'm sure someone was importing midea products before then but I believe they have a HQ in Australia now and obviously a warranty department etc.

      Maybe your landlord was at the mercy of the retailer who may have had to deal with an overseas company for warranty, now I believe you would be going through Midea Australia.

      • Summoner on 03/02/2025 - 20:59
        +1

        Maybe your landlord was at the mercy of the retailer who may have had to deal with an overseas company for warranty

        That may explain why my landlord could not have it repaired for so long.

        Can I ask how long ago this way?

        It was back in 2019.

  • Brick50 on 03/02/2025 - 20:58

    Hi OP,

    I have done a lot of research over the past 3 months and this is the exact setup I am looking at getting. I believe it is the best value multi split system available and I have spoken to a number of people on reddit and MEEH Facebook group who have had it installed. Everyone I have spoken to has been happy with the performance but obviously the units are only new so no issues have been reported yet.

    The main benefit of the Midea multi split is you can turn on the heads independently, so it will be much more efficient then have to heat 1/2 zones that you would likely have to with the ducted system. I have a 4br house and with 3 splits currently (3.5kw, 3.5kw, 6.6kw) we can easily hit 30-40kWh per day in summer so imagine heating/cooling an entire house when you don't need to.

    Also keep in mind that installing either the multi split or ducted system you will have to have your existing ducted heater decomissioned.

    • meong on 03/02/2025 - 21:52

      "decommissioned" is a loose term btw.

      I have metal roof so it was too hard to properly decommission the ducted heating so they eventually just capped the gas connection to the heater.

      • MS Paint on 03/02/2025 - 22:05

        That's exactly what decommission means.

        • meong on 03/02/2025 - 23:40

          Yeah you're right, basically just make it inactive/inoperable/out of service

      • Brick50 on 03/02/2025 - 22:41

        Yes they would have likely drilled a hole through the gas valve on your heater and capped the gas pipe. The loophole is that if it is "unsafe" they get away with not removing the unit, so unless you pay extra you won't have it removed.

        You could technically have it reconnected if you could find a new gas valve but the idea of this exercise is that you don't need it anymore and you would have no reason to use it

    • sumyungguy on 03/02/2025 - 21:59
      +1

      The main drawback of a single outdoor unit is when it faults or reaches end of life you have no heating/cooling until you can get a tech visit. I waited two months in summer for a warranty repair but it was one of five independent systems in my home.

      • Brick50 on 03/02/2025 - 22:43

        Same as a ducted system, if OP went for individual splits their quote would be 2-3x higher so unlikely to change their mind.
        I agree individual splits are typically the go but the math doesn't work when you are using the vic rebate

        • sumyungguy on 03/02/2025 - 22:57

          I wouldn't necessarily go for individual splits as I get that many home owners can't accommodate multiple outdoor units and their expense… but I would try to have one main outdoor unit and make one of the smaller ones a discrete system; for redundancy. In peak winter/summer the HVAC workforce prioritises commercial clients so a domestic system may not get a remedial maintenance inspection for weeks/months.

          • meong on 03/02/2025 - 23:43

            @sumyungguy: If you get 3 individual units you only get a rebate on 1 unit cause rebate is against 1 ducted heater unit.

            Kw also affects the max rebate so in this case only 7kw so the $ rebate is not as big.

            But with multi head then the rebate will be on the total Kw of that unit so you get much more rebates.

  • cauilfield on 03/02/2025 - 23:01

    OP, i had the same dilemma earlier, and ended up installing multi splits (not from Midea but from ers/gree). There is no such thing as true zoning with the hisense ducted systems. If you were to cool / heat one single room(zone), the compressor would still operate on at least 20% capacity, not to mention constant dust coming through the ducts.

    Multi split is the most efficient and best option, the only drawback - most of the wall hung units are ugly as, if you're fine with this dont look back.

    • Brick50 on 03/02/2025 - 23:22

      Same here, I will most likely go midea because I can't stand the look of the ERS/SmartUser heads.

      • meong on 04/02/2025 - 13:10

        SmartUser is TCL btw and they are not as reputable as Midea in the aircon space.

        • Brick50 on 04/02/2025 - 13:25

          Yes I have also heard they are quite noisy as well

    • BobL on 03/02/2025 - 23:46

      Could you please let me know how Midea performs during summer. Is there any issue heating the room?

    • BobL on 04/02/2025 - 00:21

      Could you please let me know how Midea performs during summer. Is there any issue heating the room?

      • Brick50 on 05/02/2025 - 22:04

        Can you atleast tell us who you got the quote through

  • draistlin on 03/02/2025 - 23:41

    Hi OP, are you able to tell me who the installer/company as the price you've been quoted is fantastic! I haven't seen anything that low for 6 units.

    • Brick50 on 04/02/2025 - 13:42

      Also keen to know

    • BobL on 11/02/2025 - 17:46

      Please check your inbox.

  • s313 on 05/02/2025 - 22:12

    its quite good qoute,i paid for 5 units $4000 back in november.. works good so far.

    • BobL on 06/02/2025 - 17:52

      Could you please let me know how Midea performs during summer. Is there any issue heating the room?

  • s313 on 05/02/2025 - 22:14

    there was some supplier in hume council, was offering daikin for 800 per unit installed.

  • BobL on 11/02/2025 - 17:47

    I also the quotation for Rinnai Model for 6 Units for extra 300$. Rinnai also comes with 7 yrs warranty. Do you know which is better to go with in term of less issues Midea or Rinnai?

  • Al123 on 16/02/2025 - 23:49

    Is the Midea MDV-V200WN1au system better than MULMI0618B?

    MDV-V200WN1au is called Mini-FRF system and the latter is called "fixed multihead split system".
    https://mdhome.com.au/product/veu-series-vic-only/
    https://mdhome.com.au/product/multi-series/

    • Brick50 on 18/02/2025 - 14:02
      +1

      No because:

      Heads look like shit (enough so that the below points doesn't really matter)
      Doesn't have wifi unless you get a wired controller
      VRF means refridgerant flows through heads that are on and or off, which means heads that are off may make sounds/rattle even though they are off which might be annoying

  • Brick50 on 18/02/2025 - 14:07

    After procrastinating for months I finally decided to go ahead with Cyanergy for a 4 head 18kw Midea system (8kw, 5kw, 3.5, 2.5kw)
    Total price after rebates was $2849 including removal of 1 existing split system. So you might be able to get another $150 or so off that price

    The Rinnai unit was a couple of hundred more, if I was selling house soon I may have paid the extra if I thought people would think it is a better brand but they are the same unit just rebadged, funny the salesman was trying to tell me it was better but once he knew I knew it was the same he just conceded and we laughed.

    There are cheaper companies out there but I didn't want to touch them, Aussie Greenmarks quoted $2800 without any negotiating but didn't have as good reviews. We Green I believe is the other cheap company with an OK reputation but only been in business 3-4 years

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