Split system air conditioners are extremely popular due to their relatively low investment costs, easy installation, and high levels of efficiency. They’re a staple across many homes and are known for their reliability. But is split system air conditioning right for you?
This article contains everything you need to know about split system air conditioners, including their costs, energy efficiency ratings, and important factors for you to consider prior to your investment.
Key Facts About Split Systems
Costs of Split Sytem Air Conditioners: Anywhere between $2200 and $3500
Installation Costs: Kool Air installation quotes are fully inclusive
Factors to Consider Prior to Installation:
- Size of the machine
- Size of the room
- Ceiling height
- Amount of windows
When do split systems work best?
Split system air conditioners are designed to operate at peak efficiency all year round.
How energy efficient are split systems?
Typically speaking, the smaller the machine, the more efficient its use of energy.
What Is a Split System Air Conditioner?
Split system air conditioners perform the same function as other air conditioners but are differentiated by their core components. A split system AC contains two primary components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is responsible for absorbing heat, while the outdoor unit pumps cool air into the indoor unit by way of insulated tubes discreetly installed in a small hole in the wall.
How Does a Split System Air Conditioner Work?
A split system air conditioner works by transferring heat from inside your home to the outside. Here’s how it functions:
- Indoor Unit: The indoor unit absorbs warm air from the room using a fan and passes it over a set of evaporator coils filled with a refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air, cooling it down.
- Refrigerant Cycle: The refrigerant, now warm from absorbing the heat, flows through insulated tubes to the outdoor unit.
- Outdoor Unit: The outdoor unit releases the absorbed heat outside by passing the warm refrigerant through condenser coils, where it cools down and turns back into a liquid.
- Returning Cool Air: The cooled refrigerant returns to the indoor unit to repeat the process, while the cooled air is blown back into the room.
This cycle continues until the room reaches the desired temperature. The system is controlled by a thermostat, allowing you to set and maintain a specific temperature.
How Efficient Is a Split System Air Conditioner?
To understand just how efficient split system air conditioners can be, there are a few things that you should be aware of.
EER and SEER
When it comes to assessing the efficiency of any air conditioner, there are two important metrics to be aware of: EER and SEER.
EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio, and SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. And now you may be thinking: what’s the difference?
EER is the standard unit of measurement used to determine an air conditioner’s energy efficiency. It’s what prospective AC owners look for when choosing a unit. The higher a unit’s EER, the more efficient it is. However, these ratings are entirely based on a single operating temperature. As such, it’s entirely possible for some air conditioners to perform more efficiently in cooler or warmer conditions.
SEER is a similar metric. It’s also used to determine an AC unit’s energy efficiency. Of course, the difference here lies in the “S”. An air conditioner’s SEER rating is based off of the average operating efficiency over the course of an entire season. This rating is calculated according to various outside temperatures, ranging anywhere from 65 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, SEER ratings are more commonly associated with central cooling systems.
Both of these ratings will be listed on any AC unit and it’s important that prospective owners pay attention to them. Other label items to note include a unit’s Estimated Yearly Energy Cost (which will give you an idea of how much it costs to keep the system running over the course of a year) and its Energy Star, which is a special symbol added to particularly efficient machines by independent auditors.
Inverters
Inverters are being used more and more frequently in the construction of air conditioning systems. AC’s often run on a motor, the speed of which often increases through use, demanding even more power to operate. Inverters seek to stabilise this process, adjusting the speed of the motor as necessary in order to mitigate energy costs. It also stabilises the temperature by directly adjusting the compressor.
Split System Zoning
Zoning is an important concept to understand not just with split system air conditioners, but with all AC types. It refers to the process AC units use to separate (“zone”) the different rooms in a building. By doing this, the temperature for each room can be adjusted separately, enabling users to save power when one room is not being used.
Environmental Factors
Anything that requires power to operate will impact the environment, usually for the worst. That being said, many producers nowadays are becoming more and more environmentally conscious. Because split system air conditioners typically have high EER/SEER ratings, are equipped with inverters, and feature zoning capabilities, they not only save on energy but also mitigate their impact on the environment.
Besides that, split systems are great at removing harmful toxins in the air. Unclean air is one of the leading causes of asthma and hay fever and is often the result of mould spores on an AC unit. Due to their unique process of temperature control, however, split systems do not have this problem.
In summary, based on the above principles – all of which apply to split system air conditioners – we can safely say that these are among the most energy-efficient AC systems.
What Is the Cost of Installing a Split System Air Conditioner?
Installing any new piece of hardware into your home is bound to cause a sizable dent in your wallet. Fortunately, knowing the costs of a piece of machinery upfront can allow you to properly budget your funds. When it comes to split system air conditioners, there are three primary costs to be aware of: installation; operation; and maintenance.
Split System Installation Costs
Let’s face it: purchasing an air conditioning unit isn’t cheap. However, aside from the upfront fee required to buy the unit, there may be other costs you haven’t thought of.
The first one that comes to mind is installation. This can obviously be a fairly lengthy process – you can expect the installation to take anywhere between two and six hours, so be prepared to pay for the labour it requires.
Additionally, because most houses don’t come with a hole you can simply slot your AC into, there may be other labour and ducting costs. The specific place you choose to install your AC will also affect the price depending on how easy or difficult it is to reach.
Finally, you may also need to pay for the installation of any electrical components required for the AC unit to function.
Split System Operation Costs
Operational costs are fairly easy to understand. This refers to the average price you’ll have to pay to keep your AC unit functioning all year long. Energy-efficient units (such as split systems) should be relatively easy on your wallet. If you’re in doubt, remember to consult the product’s label or description, which will highlight the unit’s EER/SEER as well as any Energy Star ratings it may have earned. Your costs may also be lower or higher depending on how often you plan on using your AC, which you should think about in advance.
Split System Maintenance Costs
Lastly, you’ll also have to consider the cost of maintaining your AC system. The good news is that you should only need to service your system once per year. The bad news is that without proper care, you may need to have it fully serviced more frequently.
You can mitigate your AC’s maintenance costs by taking care of your machine throughout the year, cleaning it as necessary, and switching it off when it isn’t in use.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Split System Air Conditioners?
Any investment into an expensive piece of machinery requires considerable thought. You’re going to be weighing several options against one another, after all. With that in mind, it’s useful to know exactly how a specific machine might benefit you – or hinder you.
Here are the pros and cons of split system air conditioners.
| PRO’s | CON’s |
|---|---|
| DECREASED INSTALLATION COSTS Unlike many other air conditioning units, split systems typically don’t require much in the way of labour in order to be properly installed. While some ductwork may be inevitable, the simple truth is that because of the way these machines are constructed, they can easily be set up via a small, discreet hole in the wall for the wiring, connecting the two primary components. | SPACE REQUIRED Split system air conditioners are pretty discreet – from the inside. The outdoor unit can take up much more space, which is a problem if you own a house with limited yard space. |
| QUIET OPERATION Some air conditioners are notoriously noisy. Their internal processes can often get in the way of a good night’s sleep. Fortunately, split system ACs are designed for quiet operation. | AIR CIRCULATION It’s important to understand that split system air conditioners do not generate fresh air by themselves. They only circulate the air inside, meaning you’re not getting fresh air (though it does filter the air). |
| FAST COOLING When you’re in the middle of a heatwave, the instant relief that an aircon provides isn’t always guaranteed. Because of inverter technology, however, split systems are able to maintain your desired temperature without any hassle. |
Is a Split System Air Conditioner Right for Your Home?
Not all houses are built the same. Some are spacious and airy, others are cramped and stuffy. Not every air conditioning system is going to work for your home and there are several factors you should consider: the size of your house; the amount of windows in your house; and the height of your ceiling.
Size
The size of your house will determine how big of an area your air conditioner will need to cover. In some cases, you may need multiple units to adequately maintain the desired temperature throughout your house.
Ceiling Height
The height of your ceiling may seem like an arbitrary factor but in reality it determines the volume of the air that needs to be cooled.
Windows
The amount of windows in your house – along with their sizes – plays a part in determining the amount of energy your air conditioner will need to expend to operate efficiently. On average, windows can account for up to 40% of a house’s heat transfer.
What Are Some Alternative Air Conditioning Solutions?
If by now you’ve read this far and still aren’t convinced that a split-system air conditioner is right for you, there are a few other options for you to consider. The two best alternatives are portable air conditioners and ducted systems, each representing two extremes of the air conditioner scale.
Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners are exactly what they sound like. They are small, compact units designed to be used straight out of the box without much in the way of installation. Simply place it in the desired location and switch it on.
Due to their size, portable air conditioners can only reliably regulate the temperatures of small rooms, and their energy output is much more discreet.
Duct Systems
Duct system air conditioners represent the complete opposite of portable air conditioners. They cover a much bigger area and use tons of energy to operate. They’re also fixed firmly in place.
These air conditioners are aesthetically pleasing due to their discretion, typically being mounted directly into a ceiling. They’re obviously much more expensive but could very well be worth the investment, depending on your specific needs.
Split System Installations Gippsland Traralgon and Beyond!
Having absorbed the information provided here, you should have everything you need to know about split system air conditioners. Remember, though, that professionals can more adequately assess your needs – if you’re ever in doubt, give Kool Air a call.
Not only are quotes delivered quickly upon request, but installation costs are all-inclusive. That means that if any labour is required, you’ll know about it upfront so that you can budget your funds and keep yourself afloat.