Price
Expand to view more details.The recommended or typical retail price at time of publication. You can often get a better price by shopping around. Some new models don't yet have prices available.
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Size (capacity)
Small (up to 4kW cooling capacity) models are good for a bedroom or study. Medium (4 to 6kW) models are good for a large bedroom or living room. Large (over 6kW) models are good for large, open-plan living areas.
Reverse cycle or cooling only
Whether this model is reverse-cycle (has cooling and heating modes) or is cooling only.
Rated cooling capacity (kW)
The rated cooling output of the air conditioner in kilowatts. The higher the number, the greater its cooling capacity and (in theory) the bigger the space it can effectively cool.
Rated heating capacity (kW)
The rated heating output of the air conditioner in kilowatts. The higher the number, the greater its heating capacity and (in theory) the bigger the space it can effectively heat. "N/A" (not applicable) means this is a cooling-only model.
Yearly running cost – cold zone
An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in a cold zone (southern Australia including Melbourne, southern Western Australia, Tasmania, and Canberra), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kWh. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.
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Yearly running cost – average zone
An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in an average climate zone (including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kW. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.
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Yearly running cost – hot zone
An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in a hot zone (such as Darwin and Brisbane), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kWh. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.
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Airflow score
Based on the range of airflow on the lowest to highest fan speed settings. Ideally, air conditioners should have a gentle airflow on low settings and a powerful airflow on high. The wider the range of airflows, the better the score.
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Cooling efficiency score
Cooling efficiency scores are based on the model's AEER (Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio) – a measure of efficiency that factors in standby power consumption when the unit's not in use. Our scores are more precise than star ratings.
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Heating efficiency score
Heating efficiency scores are based on the model's ACOP (Annual Coefficient of Performance) – a measure of efficiency that factors in standby power consumption when the unit's not in use. Our scores are more precise than star ratings. "NA" (not applicable) means this is a cooling-only model.
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Reliability score
A high score means the brand (not the model) is less likely to have faults over time, according to ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳members.
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Satisfaction score
A high score means ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳members are satisfied with the brand (not the model).
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Human presence sensor (energy saving)
Shop Ethical rating
Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. The rating ranks from A (highest) to F (lowest). N/A means there is no rating for that company.
Zoned star rating cooling – average zone
The zoned energy label shows cooling star ratings for different zones: the average zone covers the middle zone of Australia including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for cooling in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.
Zoned star rating heating – average zone
The zoned energy label shows heating star ratings for different zones: the average zone covers the middle zone of Australia including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for heating in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.
Demand Response feature (DRED)
Demand Response Enabling Device (DRED), also known as PeakSmart. An air conditioner with this feature can be controlled remotely by participating energy companies to run in a power-saving mode in periods of peak electricity demand. It's not available for all models, but is built-in for some and an optional extra for others.
Country of origin
Where the air conditioner was manufactured, though parts may have been sourced from other places. Where two countries are listed, these are the origin of the indoor and outdoor units respectively.
Warranty (years)
The manufacturer's stated warranty in years. 5 years is typical for a split-system, but a few go better with 6 or 7 years. You're still covered by the Australian Consumer Law regardless of the manufacturer warranty.
Unit type
High wall – indoor unit is mounted high on a wall; floor-mounted – indoor unit is at floor level, which may better suit some rooms and is good if you mainly use it for heating; cassette – indoor unit is mounted inside the ceiling; floor/ceiling – can be mounted on either the ceiling or the floor; bulkhead – hidden in the ceiling like a cassette but the air vent is usually on a wall.
Wi-Fi control
Allows control of the air conditioner via your home wireless network and an app on your smartphone, so you can power the unit on or off when away from home, set temperatures and monitor energy use. It's not available for all models, but is built-in for some and an optional extra for others.
Air purifier
Whether this model has an air purifying feature.
Noise indoors (dBA)
Noise levels are supplied by the manufacturer. Where available, we show the noise on the quietest indoor fan setting. Noise levels are broadly comparative, but note that different manufacturers may measure these values slightly differently.
Noise outdoors (dBA)
Noise levels are supplied by the manufacturer. They're broadly comparative but note that different manufacturers may measure these values slightly differently.
Refrigerant
Refrigerant gases are usually R410A or R32. Both are hydrofluorocarbons but R32 has a lower global warming potential and should also give improved efficiency.
Availability
A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.
A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.
These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find them on second-hand websites, or in second-hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A.
An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.
These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.
Included in this review
- ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Expert Rating
- Recommended
- Yearly running cost – cold zone
- Yearly running cost – average zone
- Yearly running cost – hot zone
- Cooling efficiency score
- Heating efficiency score
- Airflow score
- Reliability score
- Satisfaction score
- Good points
- Bad points
- Price
- Unit type
- Size (capacity)
- Noise indoors (dBA)
- Noise outdoors (dBA)
- Rated cooling capacity (kW)
- Rated cooling power input (kW)
- Rated heating capacity (kW)
- Rated heating power input (kW)
- Energy star rating – cooling
- Zoned star rating cooling – cold zone
- Zoned star rating cooling – average zone
- Zoned star rating cooling – hot zone
- Energy star rating – heating
- Zoned star rating heating – cold zone
- Zoned star rating heating – average zone
- Zoned star rating heating – hot zone
- Stated standby power consumption (W)
- Human presence sensor (energy saving)
- Demand Response feature (DRED)
- Shop Ethical rating
- Warranty (years)
- Country of origin
- Reverse cycle or cooling only
- Number of fan speeds
- Operating temperature range (°C)
- Fast mode
- Quiet mode
- Fan only mode
- Sleep mode
- Sleep mode auto temperature adjustment
- Dimensions indoor unit (cm, H x W x D)
- Dimensions outdoor unit (cm, H x W x D)
- Refrigerant
- Wi-Fi control
- Air purifier
- Indoor unit model
- Outdoor unit model
