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Choosing the right system
A plain-English comparison of the four main ways Australians cool and heat their homes, and how your climate tips the balance.
How the options compare
Costs below are relative to each other, not dollar figures. Real prices depend on the size of the home, access, electrical work and the equipment chosen, which is why every quote starts with a site visit.
| System | Best for | Upfront cost | Running cost | Heats too? | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split system | One to three rooms, apartments, extensions | Lower | Low when used room by room | Yes (reverse-cycle) | Visible indoor unit in each room |
| Multi-head split | Several rooms without ceiling space for ducts | Moderate | Low to moderate | Yes | Rooms share one outdoor unit |
| Ducted reverse-cycle | Whole homes, two-storey houses, new builds | Highest | Moderate; low with good zoning | Yes | Needs ceiling or sub-floor space and careful design |
| Evaporative | Dry inland climates, open, airy homes | Moderate | Low, but uses water | No | Weak in humidity; windows must be open |
| Reverse-cycle for heating | Replacing gas, oil-column or bar heaters | Lower (split) to highest (ducted) | Low compared with resistive heaters | That's the point | Pick a model rated for your coldest mornings |
Matching the system to where you live
Australia covers everything from steamy tropics to frosty tablelands. Your local climate does more to decide the right system than any brochure.
Humid tropics and subtropics
Long, sticky summers call for refrigerated cooling that also removes moisture. Split or ducted reverse-cycle systems with a good dry mode suit best. Evaporative cooling struggles here.
Hot, dry inland
Low humidity makes evaporative cooling effective and cheap to run. Refrigerated systems still make sense for bedrooms and for the occasional humid spell or dust-storm day when windows stay shut.
Temperate coastal
Mild winters and warm, sometimes muggy summers. Reverse-cycle splits or zoned ducted systems handle both seasons comfortably with modest running costs.
Cool southern and highland
Heating is the main job. Size reverse-cycle systems for winter, choose models that hold their output in the cold climate zone, and fix draughts first.
Apartments and units
Body corporate rules, balcony space and pipe routes often decide things. Compact split systems are usually the practical answer. Check by-laws before you order.
Homes with solar
Reverse-cycle systems can soak up daytime solar generation. Pre-cooling or pre-heating during sunny hours makes the most of your own power.
Questions to ask before you buy
Whichever system you lean towards, these questions separate a quote you can trust from a box-drop special:
- How was the size worked out? Look for a heat-load assessment that considers insulation, windows and orientation, not just floor area.
- What does the Energy Rating label say for my climate zone? Zoned labels show hot, average and cold performance. Compare models on the zone closest to you.
- What's included? Pipe length, wall penetrations, electrical work, condensate drainage, brackets and removal of old equipment should all be listed.
- Who does the electrical and refrigerant work? Both need appropriately licensed people. Ask for the details.
- Where will the outdoor unit go? Think about noise near bedrooms and neighbours, airflow and future service access.
- What are the warranty terms? Know who you call if something goes wrong, and what maintenance the manufacturer requires.
Still undecided? Many homes end up with a mix, such as zoned ducted for the main living areas and a split system in a home office or granny flat, or evaporative cooling backed by a reverse-cycle unit for humid nights and winter heating.
Read more about each option: split systems, ducted air conditioning, evaporative cooling and reverse-cycle heating.
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We'll assess the space and compare the options that genuinely suit it.