Great heating and cooling solutions are important, particularly in a city like Canberra where there have been historical records of -10 degree mornings, all the way up to 44 degree days.
Keeping cool in summer and warm in winter is imperative to living in Canberra’s climate throughout the year. But how do you know what air conditioning (AC) system is best for you and your family?
We break it down by types of air conditioners, AC unit usage and the best companies for air conditioning installation within Canberra.
Types of air conditioning systems
Split system
This type of system air conditioner is ideal for one room or a specific area. These systems are available as wall mounted or floor standing, with one component placed indoors and another outdoors.
These units are a popular choice for smaller spaces and can provide both heating and cooling options.
Multi split system
These systems are similar to the split system above but has one outdoor compressor that connected to multiple indoor units. Multi spilt systems are best suitable for areas of different climate zones and for multiple rooms or larger rooms.
Each climate zone has designated thermostats which are installed in each zone where a different temperature can be applied to one without affecting the other zones. Like a split system, these multi systems offer heating and cooling services as well.
Window/wall
Window/wall systems are compact and easy to install, they’re great for small spaces as a result. Window/wall units are installed in a window, and can be moved from home to home in most cases.
Most window/wall air conditioning unit types offer heating and cooling though some only offer cooling.
Portable
Portable air conditioners are designed to be moved from room to room. They’re perfect for cooling down single rooms and typically sit on the floor. Most come with wheels where you can then move it to alternative rooms.
Though portable air conditioning systems have self-contained heat pumps with an exhaust vent to send the hot air outside. It is best to have these close enough to a window or another space where you can send the heat away.
Ducted
Similar to multi split systems, ducted air conditioning has one outdoor compressor, but uses ducts to collectively cool multiple rooms/spaces. The air comes from one central location and sends it through the ducts/vents to heat and cool all rooms at the same time and temperature.
Ducted systems are a air conditioning service that is concealed in the ceiling and the ducts. Ducted air conditioning services are great for heating and cooling a whole space with ease and are a very popular option.
Air Purifiers
They’re not strictly air conditioners, but air purifiers are a great way to improve the quality of air in a space. Air purifiers help by removing allergens and other pollutants within the air and are a great choice for people living with asthma and/or allergies. They often function as small fans as well, and as such have some cooling and heating.
Air purifiers are generally smaller than your average portable air condition unit and are only suitable for small or localised spaces.
Hydronic Heating and Cooling systems
While it could be argued that this isn’t strictly air conditioning, hydronic heating and cooling is a more expensive but more energy efficient way to heat or cool your home.
Hydronic heating and cooling systems is a unit that works by using water or steam that is heated by a boiler to heat your space. Once it is heated, the water is then distributed through the pipes to heat radiators and baseboards throughout your space.
Some options include venting for times when you only need air circulation.
Air conditioning usage
Residential
With so many different air conditioning units available, it’s hard to know which one to choose for your home. The four most common types of residential air conditioning services that are found within homes are:
- Ducted air conditioning systems
- Split system air conditioning
- Multi-split air conditioners
- Portable air conditioners
Commercial
Commercial air conditioners are different to a residential air conditioning service. Generally speaking, these type of air conditioner units are used for larger spaces and are usually mounted on the roof to maximise on floor and wall space inside the space.
Commercial air conditioner units can be used for a variety of different spaces and each have a different purpose. The most common types of commercial air conditioning services that are used are the following:
- Central air conditioning
- Ductless, mini-split air conditioning
- Multi split air conditioning
- Variable refrigerant volume (VRV) and Variable refrigerant flow (VRF)
- Chillers
Importance of insulation
Having good insulation throughout your house means that your air conditioning service doesn’t need to work as hard to heat or cool your space properly. This is a more cost effective way of making the most of your air conditioning unit.
If you have poor insulation or areas lacking insulation, then your air conditioning system is going to work much harder to keep the space warm or cool. This will then create a flow on effect and chew through more electricity and cause your running costs to skyrocket and you will end up with a much higher electricity bill than if you did have good insulation.
Best air conditioning specialists in Canberra
Canberra aircon installers are generally rated really well on Google. This is great news for someone looking for a new air conditioning system and also for Canberrans looking for air conditioning maintenance, air conditioning repair, and a range of other related services from expert technicians.
Climate Master, Fyshwick
Website: https://www.climatemaster.com.au/
Providing air conditioning services to Canberra since 1998, Climate Master is a locally owned and operated air conditioning specialist company in Canberra and the surrounds.
They have a showroom in Fyshwick where you can receive a personalised experience from the sales and service team.
Climate Master are experts in all things AC including evaporative cooling, and ducted gas heating as well. They partner with Brivis, Panasonic, Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Bonaire, Actron Air, Mitsubishi Heavy Industri, Rinnai and Stiebel Eltron.
Fully Airconditioned, Mitchell
Website: http://fullyairconditioned.com.au/
Starting out in 1996, Fully Airconditioned are locally owned and are experts in only air conditioning and maintenance.
They focus one area and succeed at doing it well. Their warehouse and showroom is located in Mitchell where they have a variety of systems to choose from.
Fully Airconditioned have competitive prices and are authorised dealers of products including Daikin, LG, Fujitsu, Panasonic and My Air.
Capital Air, Queanbeyan
Website: https://www.capitalair.com.au/
Operating since the early 1990’s, Capital Air which is located in Queanbeyan, is the largest residential AC service and repair company within the Australian Capital Territory.
They pride themselves in their simplistic approach, good old fashioned service and values.
Capital Air provide services for all things air conditioning including ducted gas heating and evaporative cooling systems. They service, repair and do maintenance on all makes and models of units and specialise in Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric and Brivis.
Proactive Air Conditioning, Fyshwick
Website: https://proactiveair.com.au/
Established in 1998, Proactive Air Conditioning are a Canberra leading provider in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) services.
Providing installations, maintenance services and repairs, Proactive Air Conditioning helps residential and commercial clients make eco-friendly choices when it comes to their HVAC in Canberra and the surrounding region.
Located in Fyshwick, the team at Proactive Air Conditioning installs, servicing and repairs over 23 different types of air conditioning units, major brands include Daikin, Fujitsu, LG, Panasonic and Samsung.