Estimated Costs of Installing a Split Air Conditioner

L[Deactivated] on 04/10/2016 - 11:21

First time poster, long time lurker - so please be gentle.

Currently have approval from Strata to install 2x 2HP split air conditioners in my unit.

I have 2 questions that I'd like to source to the OzBargain community:

  1. Estimated costs of installing the units and any reliable/affordable installers you'd recommend (region is Sydney, Illawara and Southern regions)

  2. What does 2HP actually convert to in terms of kW (I've looked online and apparently there are 2 million ways to convert HP to kW - my guesstimate has been the largest size I can install is a 5.1kW)

  3. Any other recommendation on brands (currently leaning towards Kelvinator, Fujitsu or Mitsubishi), however, happy for recommendations for other brands (TECO, etc.)

Thanking in advance!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • gumbo45c on 04/10/2016 - 11:41

    What floor is you unit on? did strata say where you can put the condensers (the boxes that go outside)?

    • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2016 - 11:47

      Unit is on 2nd floor.

      Have balconies for the main living area and bedroom. The condensers will sit outside on the balconies.

  • tanksinatra on 04/10/2016 - 14:56
    +3

    1. Installation costs vary according to type of building and construction (units tend to be more expensive, low-set wooden houses cheaper), installation type (back to back is cheaper), electrical work required and access to meter board (new circuit = $$). I paid around $400, a mate of mine paid >$800 due to electrical work required.
      Call around and get a few quotes.

    2. You are comparing two completely different measurements. 2HP is probably a measurement of input power (1hp = 0.7457kw) whereas 5.1kw would be the output capacity. The ratio between the two is the efficiency.

    3. Stay away from the smaller brands. Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Daikin would be where its at. Bear in mind that most failures outside of warranty will not be cost effective to repair.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2016 - 15:20

      Thanks for this.

      In terms of cost, I was guesstimating about $500 to $600 per installation which makes sense.

      I've emailed the Strata Agency about this - it's in their approval letter. Exact wording is that a "a unit with a rating greater than 2HP cannot be installed.." - which leaves me rather confused as to what that "HP" is exactly.

      • tanksinatra on 04/10/2016 - 15:48
        +1

        What that means is that you can have an A/C with an engine power of no more than 1.49kW (2HP).
        This limits you to about 5kW units, depending on efficiency.

        I would budget a little more for installation.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2016 - 15:58

          Yup. Agree with you on this.

          I'm thinking I might be able wrangle a deal with the retailer and see if I can source a few quotes for the installation and the retailer recommended installer (once I'm done measuring and editing a few photos as reference points to help get accurate quotes).

          I've got a feeling that one installation will about $1000+ easy due to the placement and positioning of the unit I'd want for aesthetics. The other one might be in the $600+ range since it's close to the balcony but work will be needed to run the pipe down towards the balcony for the condenser.

          Thanks for the input.

  • gumbo45c on 04/10/2016 - 15:17
    +1

    You are correct with your assumption HP to KW is x2.55

    Yeah if you are looking at for 2x5kw units installing at the same time you can get a multi head condenser to save some space (possible overkill depending on the property size).

    There is no such thing as an "easy" install but I would budget minimum $1k per unit installation and then depending on the brand/power features etc maybe $2k+ for the actual splits. I think you would need to be very savvy to get it all done under $6500. With everything done correctly with a correct plinth/mount for condenser, good brand (maybe Mitsubishi, but functions and things vary between brands, Japanese are good cannot say for others), tidy, energy efficient (dont get the smallest but dont get the biggest) budget $1k per kilowatt.

    I can vouch for TH Airconditioning in taren point, he will do it correctly without overcharging. But coming into this time of year expect wait times to increase as it gets hotter, the best guys are always busy.

    Once its done dont forget to clean your filters, its easy and makes a huge difference!

  • snook on 04/10/2016 - 15:21
    +1

    In my experience, you're better off finding a supplier that also installs. After purchase of some great cheap deal, it is the most painful experience ever to try and find someone to install.

    I have bought from Good Guys and used their installer - specifically because I could not find anyone else to install. Organising them however was painful. I bought 5kw Samsung. It's fine but because of the design of the head unit, it had to be a certain distance from the ceiling and I don't like that and didn't know beforehand. The head unit is also too big.

    I have also bought from Blue Star Air-conditioning http://www.bluestarac.com.au/promotions. I bought the 7.1kw Fujitsu from here. Great air con. Small head unit. Fujitsu often have cash back cards. None going at the moment it seems but have a look around.

    Please note: whenever you do a deal for purchase and install, they are always quoting back to back, as close as possible. With the Blue Star install, they had to kink the pipe by 6 inches and they charged another $150 for that. I knew about this beforehand as I sent pics and measurements via email before finalising.

    There are room calculators for room air cons you can use. I always get the next size up. When it's super cold or super hot, you'll be glad you did.

  • ZippyRoo on 04/10/2016 - 15:33
    +1

    We recently had a split system installed at my in-laws place. We got a Midea inverter unit from a supplier in Melbourne, it's 7.6kw and I paid $1k for the unit. The seller recommended a couple of people for the installation and we also asked another one for quotes. We eventually paid $700 as it involved a bit of electrical work.

    Functional-wise the Midea is great. It's powerful, not loud and easy to operate. It does look a bit bulky and ugly compared to the Panasonic one I have at home but that one was close to $2k when we bought it.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2016 - 16:16

    Thanks for the info so far guys.

    Question that has been somewhat answered already - big brand purchases (given - Fujitsu, etc.)

    Anyone have any experience with Kelvinators?

    We grew up with their fridges and they were near indestructible. Safe to assume similar quality with their air conditioners?

  • Stewardo on 04/10/2016 - 17:59
    +1

    Mitsubishi electric is a good brand, completely different to Mitsubishi heavy industries. Some times units that are cheaper to buy end up costing more with running costs and maintenance.

  • Aust on 04/10/2016 - 20:25
    +1

    Its highly likely the existing wiring wont accommodate the extra power from the air conditioner and they will need to run it back to the switchboard so make sure you ask how there going to wire it and if any upgrade is needed in your switchboard / sub board for the extra circuit breakers as that may also add to cost.

  • hymio on 04/10/2016 - 20:31
    +1

    I've heard Daikin is good. We got a Panasonic aircon installed and unit+installation cost around $1.5k.

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 06/10/2016 - 07:00
    +1

    Agree with the above, and we have been using Panasonic for a few of our properties.
    Do you have Onsite Managers? Good to check with them as they do have the contacts and might know someone who is familiar with the property.
    Also a lot of AC electricians also supply aircons. I prefer to deal with one person (company) rather than a retailer then electrician.
    Dont forget to ask for the bracket for the remote :-))

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