Thread: Home AC - one for the Fridgies.

I'm no sparky, but I can tell you my experience. Our old place had a three-head system, getting long in the tooth. One of the heads started leaking intermittently. The technicians couldn't track the leak down, so we lived with it. This head also had a habit of turning on automatically after black outs. No idea why, but we made sure to turn it off at the switchboard if we were going away for longer than a day (we had frequent local blackouts). A second head died. Given it was an old model, we couldn't replace the head. I would have thought that heads would be pretty much interchangeable as the only real control is turn gas flow on and off (I'm happy to be corrected on this).

In the end, we decided to replace the whole system, including the one head that was still working. We chose to replace it with three separate systems simply because if one system has an issue, the problem is isolated to that system.

Initially, it seemed to make sense to me to run it off the one system. I would still consider it if I installed a new system, but you want to make sure it is a system for which you can expect to readily get parts for for many years to come.

We looked at multi head systems and went singles in every room in the house...

Cumulative power consumption for them all on is less than a full ducted system.

And running singularly more efficient than any twin head unit

Don't go near a multi head system,reasons are in above post.

I would stick with Mitsy electric(not Mitsy heavy).

They appear the best quality around,and we have way less trouble with them than any other brand.Tech support is second to none if ever needed.

They are very very quiet,i recently replaced a 16yr old Panasonic in our bedroom with one.

Make sure you get the latest R32 refrigerant model,there are still a lot of the old R410 models around,which are a few $ cheaper.

The other thing is you need to find an installer that knows what they are doing.

One thing i have noticed with the Mitsy,and it is in the operators manual,is if the louvres are pointed downwards,and running on cool,after around an hour, the unit will reset them to a more horizontal setting.

Doesn't worry us,but may not suit everyone.

Well, that was swift and conclusive! No multi head system, 2 x single Mitsi units.

Thanks heasp.

Size wise - around 2.5KW cooling for each enough for a normal sized bedroom?

Originally Posted by Homestar

Well, that was swift and conclusive! No multi head system, 2 x single Mitsi units.

Thanks heasp.

Size wise - around 2.5KW cooling for each enough for a normal sized bedroom?

Normal size,4mx4m?Mostly use at night,no large ensuite that can't be shut off?No big windows facing west?

Yes, walk it in,2.5kw.

If they are bigger and you are going to use it during the day,(shift worker)and no insulation you may have to go up a size.The next size up is not that much more expensive,installation cost would be the same as 2.5KW,so only cost increase is actual cost of unit.

Yeah, night use only - 4x4 roughly, South facing window, in the middle of the house so it doesn't get any direst sun on any wall at any time. Insulation is reasonable.

Thanks heaps.

If you use them for heating as well, have a look at floor console splits. They don't suit everyone, or every room but they're very effective for cooling and heating.

More likely to get their filters cleaned too.