The Top 3 Mistakes You’ll Make When Choosing an Air Conditioner

Avoid These 3 Mistakes When Choosing an Air Conditioner

In the harsh and relentless extremes of the Victorian climate, a reliable and efficient air conditioner is a complete necessity for maintaining a comfortable living environment, year-round.

However, selecting the wrong air conditioner can lead to a huge range of issues – from increased long-term costs, environmental discomfort, and even a number of health issues.

The good thing? We’re here to help you avoid that all-together.

In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the top three mistakes people commonly make when choosing air conditioning units in Australia, backed by a great range of statistics and insider info. With 15+ years of trusted HVAC expertise, we love helping you find the best solution.

Ready? Let’s get cracking!

1. Disregarding the link between low upfront costs and higher long-term costs

If you’re anything like other Victorians, the increased cost of living will have started taking its toll. From deals on daily essentials to an offer that seems too good to be true, the allure of affordability often tempts us into opting for the cheapest air conditioning solution available.

However, this decision can prove costly in the long run. Let’s delve into what the stats say about the importance of prioritising long-term efficiency over upfront savings.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has widely reported that the average Australian household spends a significant portion of its energy consumption on cooling and heating. This expenditure is directly impacted by the choice of air conditioner. Portable air conditioners, while initially appealing due to their lower upfront cost, tend to consume more electricity per unit of cooling compared to high-efficiency reverse-cycle air conditioners. What’s more, reverse-cycle air conditioners can also keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, offering significant value for money.

According to data from the national Department of Industry, Science, Energy, and Resources, choosing a high-efficiency reverse-cycle air conditioner over a portable unit can result in substantial energy and financial savings over time. On average, a high-efficiency reverse-cycle air conditioner can be up to 50% more efficient than other units, leading to much lower electricity bills over the same period.

It’s essential, therefore, to consider not only the initial purchase price but also the ongoing operational expenses when making your decision.

What’s more, there are several incredible government rebates now available that can help you with the upfront cost of investing in a more energy-efficient home. Learn more in our FREE, handy guide here, or jump to Solar Victoria’s website.

Opting for perceived convenience over more reliable technology

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s no wonder that convenience often takes precedence over any other factor involved in a decision.

In fact, many of our customers report initially gravitating towards either portable air conditioners or cheaper reverse-cycle air conditioners due to their ease of installation and flexibility – and particularly so when it comes to smaller-space living.

However, it’s crucial to assess whether convenience outweighs the benefits of more reliable and efficient technologies such as hydronic heating and cooling and high-efficiency reverse-cycle units such as Panasonic nanoe™X-equipped units.

Let’s take a look at hydronic heating and cooling first.

Hydronic heating and cooling

If you’re budgeting for and considering a new build, hydronic heating and cooling should be top-of-your-list to explore. Installing hydronic heating and cooling, while not impossible for an existing build (it depends on your circumstances), is generally more straightforward when you’re constructing a new home.

Importantly, hydronic heating and cooling can not only function year-round to keep you toasty-warm and deliciously cool as you need it, but can also be facilitated by heat pump. Heat pumps are incredible bits of technology that use ambient air in order to heat/cool your property as needed.

While the complex installation of a brand-new system like this might seem daunting, the potential savings it could offer you in the long-term make it more than worth your exploration. In fact, on the whole, hydronic heating and cooling systems could save you more than 30% on your heating and air conditioning bills when compared to traditional systems.

You can find out more about our full range of hydronic heating and cooling solutions online.

Don’t own a stand-alone home? Take a look at this high-efficiency reverse-cycle from Panasonic:

Panasonic nanoe™X

Panasonic’s nanoe™X technology transcends more traditional or conventional air conditioning units of all sorts by actively purifying the air inside your home or workplace.
Put simply, this incredible, new technology inhibits up to 99% of common viruses and bacteria, as recognized by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program. This same program acknowledges nanoe™X as an air purifying solution suitable for those with asthma or allergies, highlighting its potential benefits for everyone seeking enhanced air quality within their living and/or working space.

In addition to this, Panasonic’s nanoe™X-equipped air conditioners provide both cooling and heating functions while purifying your air on a continuous basis, even when not actively heating or cooling your space. This incredible, two-in-one HVAC solution delivers unparalleled value to homeowners looking to prioritise not only comfortable living but healthy living as well.

Want to find out more about our full range of split-system air conditioning solutions? Just visit our website.

So – perhaps you weren’t aware of nanoe™X to begin with? You wouldn’t be alone. Which brings us to the mistake of not doing your reading!

Not doing your research before you buy an air conditioner

This is perhaps the most common and easily avoidable mistake when purchasing an air conditioner: failing to conduct sufficient research on the solution that’s best-fit to your particular budget, needs and interests.

Rushing into an air conditioning decision without exploring the latest advancements in air conditioning technology can lead to suboptimal choices that may result in discomfort and increased costs.

Here are just some of the questions we suggest asking yourself while searching for suitable HVAC solutions for your home or workplace:

• What size is my space?
• How many rooms do I need to cool/heat?
• How do the environmental/climate conditions external to my space impact my energy usage?
• What are my household or workplace’s patterns of energy usage?
• Do I have a preference for particular brands or functionalities?
• Are there particular zones of my space that need individualised control?
• What is my relationship to sustainable energy sources?

To make an informed decision regarding the best air conditioning solution for you, it’s essential to educate yourself about the different types of air conditioners available on the Victorian market, their specific efficiency ratings, and their suitability to your specific preferences, needs and circumstances.

We strongly suggest seeking advice from a trusted, reputable retailer like G Store. Our team prides itself on offering you the very best and most-generous advice – either via phone, or instore. Just give us a call today on 1300 137 567 to find out more.

So – which air conditioner should I choose?

There’s no doubt that selecting the right air conditioner will prove to be one of the most significant decisions you can make for your home or workplace, impacting your comfort, energy bills, and even your health.

If you don’t know where to begin, begin with G Store. We’ll help you make the best decision for you and those you love.

Wrapping up

Ready to learn more about the best air conditioners for your particular budget, interests and needs?

Visit our Learning Centre now to read more, or give our award-winning team a call today on 1300 137 567 for free, generous advice and the right guidance.

We’re looking forward to chatting with you.