Split System A/C Recommendations for Loungeroom

macca189 on 14/02/2025 - 10:09

Hey OzB

My power hungry lounge room split system (Carrier Alpha Series, about 15+ years old) has finally died and I am thinking it is time to replace it.
Money is a little tight at the moment so I was wondering what peoples budget picks were for a 6-7kw inverter system.

I have Panasonic units in other areas of the house that have been pretty good, quiet and reliable but looking at current prices they are now one of the most expensive brands.

Would I be a fool to go with a Kogan unit? for $1000 for a 7kw its pretty compelling even if I only get 10 years out of it as opposed to say 15+
Otherwise I have seen Samsung units in 7kw for as low as $1400.

Please give me some advice
I already have an installer that is happy to work with any brand, and told me he has installed a few Kogan units over the past 5 years and has not yet been back for any issues

Electrical & Electronics Air Conditioner

Comments

  • freefall101 on 14/02/2025 - 11:01

    I put in a couple of MHI ones and my parents just put in a couple of big mitsubishi electric. Personally, I'm a big fan (pun not intended) of their ME ones, mine tend to get a bit of a rattle at times as the plastic expands/contracts. Theirs feels like an ice machine as well, it's great.

    I replaced a dead Samsung unit with the MHI and one thing I found was it was really hard to find someone to try fix it before binning it. A few places simply said they wouldn't touch it, the one guy I did get out said he didn't know much about them either, but he could still test everything (it was a dead board on an old machine, so easier to just replace it all).

    • JimB on 14/02/2025 - 11:21
      +1

      When working, at comparable COP/EER I don't think there's much difference between all the brands as long are they are installed correctly.

      The issue is when they break down and eventually they all will, getting someone to fix it and getting old parts is the difference between a cheap brand and a well known brand that will support their products.

      That's why you pay a premium for top brands such as ME, MHI, Panasonic, Daikin etc.

  • JimB on 14/02/2025 - 11:28

    Would you trust this guy to supply you parts in 10 years time? https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Ru…

    As stated on another thread yesterday 'I have a Chinese made Kelvinator and Sharp split system. I'm sure they are rebadged Chinese brand air conds. Both over 10 years old. I'm sure the tenants have never cleaned it and gives them a flogging. Haven't heard any complaints from them.

    Good installation is as important as the unit themselves.'

    Personally given the prices of air conditioning units today, I'd look at Hisense or Midea for their 7 year warranty. (In the past, I've installed plenty of Panasonics in my previous houses but I wouldn't pay the premium today).

    They both make a lot of A/Cs (Midea for other brands too). The only question mark I have over them is, will they be able to supply parts in 15 years time. Personally I'd take the risk for splits.

  • solidussnake on 14/02/2025 - 15:14

    I have a hisense 5kw that chews next to nothing and our summer monthly bill was $120 for a month

  • Italkdigital on 14/02/2025 - 17:11

    Bookmarked, thanks OP 😊

  • bloomer on 14/02/2025 - 17:18

    I had a few installers claim Panasonics nowadays have a servicing problem because parts are no longer held for not-terrrrribly-old models. I can't tell if that's just installer-rumours. I was also told that Daikins have had reliability/service issues in more recent years. Mideas seem to be the choice in Victoria for bastard installers within the Victorian Energy Upgrade scheme, charging customers way over what's reasonable. That doesn't say anything about the quality of Midea, but it's clear they're cheap at wholesale level, for better or worse.

    Nobody much seems to complain about MHI. Some models have fewer settings than competitors.

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