Can Anyone Comment on Panasonic Vs MHI Aircon? Need One for My Living Area (Brisbane)

edforums on 02/02/2024 - 11:46
Last edited 02/02/2024 - 11:47

Hey guys,
I'm looking at installing a split system aircon in my living area, here in Brisbane (8kw). This summer has been too humid and hot so the fans are not enough anymore.

Does anyone have experience with Panasonic aircons? Looking specifically at the Z XKR series (nanoex, wifi)

https://www.panasonic.com/au/hvac/air-conditioning/residenti…
I contacted a few installers and they said they had no issues with these ones, support in case of issues is very good and have more features that MHI.

The other option I was considered is the MHI Bronte series:
https://mhiaa.com.au/products/series/split-system-air-condit…
which is very popular and lots of installers use that one. I have seen good reviews as well from real users and people I know. It's a bit more expensive, less features (air filter for example, wifi, etc)

Anyone here with experience on the Panasonic that could comment please? Thanks guys

Electrical & Electronics Air Conditioner

Comments

  • Duckie2hh on 02/02/2024 - 11:47
    +6

    Recommend the MHI, I had one installed too. Stay away from Fujitsu and Samsung AC's.

    • freefall101 on 02/02/2024 - 12:14
      +1

      House I bought had a Samsung AC that was busted, aircon repair guy just told me to replace it with an MHI one. It needed a new circuit board, but he said being samsung something else will break soon enough anyway (and the original installed had done a crap job) so there's no point shelling out the huge cost for the circuit board.

      He only did repairs and not sales too, so it's not like he got anything out of it besides his charge to come look at it.

    • JimB on 02/02/2024 - 12:20
      +1

      I heard of Samsung having crappy ACs but have only heard good things about Fujitsu.

      • JIMB0 on 02/02/2024 - 12:40

        Fujitsu used to be good. I'm not so sure about these days. Mitsubishi Electric seem to be on top of the game at the moment.

        • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 13:03

          One of the AC installer mentioned that Fujitsu and Mitsubishi Electrics are more premium brands so more expensive

          • Ozpit on 03/02/2024 - 09:21

            @edforums: I know a couple of AC installers/repairers and they both say Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is what they always recommmend. More expensive but very reliable.

    • DoctorCalculon on 03/02/2024 - 10:32

      Samsung AC's

      and LG.

      I can personally attest to the most disgraceful warranty claim support when it comes to LG aircons.

      • Danstar on 03/02/2024 - 12:20

        I had a fine warranty claim. The flap that opens up when you turn on the aircon didn’t close properly when turning off. LG organised someone to come out within a week to fix it.

  • sumyungguy on 02/02/2024 - 11:56

    Have you considered Daikin?

    • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 12:00

      Yes, that one as well, but I read some mixed reviews. Not sure if they used to be better in the past

      • sumyungguy on 02/02/2024 - 12:20

        Fair call, they've been getting flogged on productreview.com.au. One of my three splits has just failed under warranty…
        One thing I would say about Daikin: I've always been grateful for high quality installation works as they only trade through a specialist dealer network.

        • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 13:02

          yeah, one installer mentioned they get courses/certifications directly from them so they are able to repair them by just changing the defective part, but not always with other brands. But yeah, looks like quality has declined and prices are still high for those

        • JimmyF on 02/02/2024 - 13:15
          +1

          Fair call, they've been getting flogged on productreview.com.au. One of my three splits has just failed under warranty…

          And this is why they are getting flogged. Daikin used to have a great name, but some cheapness in the later units is biting them. Boards not protected, so geckos shorting them out…. which isn't cover under warranty.

          Daikin has the same 5 year warranty as everyone else, but doesn't seem to be lasting much longer.

      • eug on 02/02/2024 - 20:38
        +1

        FWIW at work the server room is cooled by a normal Daikin split that has been running 24/7 for the past 11 years with no issues at all.

    • theguru1 on 03/02/2024 - 08:48
      +1

      Hsving installed a premium Daikin split and having 2 expensive major failures within 5.5 years (Daikin don't want to know outside warranty period) couldn't recommend to anyone. Was a fanbois. Not anymore. Been told Fujitsu are good and support their product.

  • areustillpretty on 02/02/2024 - 11:59
    +1

    I don't have experiences with Panasonic but my MHI has been going strong for the last 6 years.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 02/02/2024 - 12:10
    +1

    We have three MHI, one replaced an old daikin. The other two older MHI have been plugging along for years now no problem.

    My electrical wholesaler contacts suggested to me to go MHI overall as a reliable unit

  • Christown on 02/02/2024 - 12:13
    +3

    I see a lot of chatter that the Mitsubishi Electric are actually the better product over the MHI. Despite some talk to the contrary.

  • entropysbane on 02/02/2024 - 12:17
    +2

    Choice tend to have MHI in its “choice recommended” category, Panasonic missed out.
    Mind you, top rated MHI 90% cooling efficiency, 90% heating efficiency; top rated Panasonic 81% cooling eff, 84% heating.

    I expect though, that ratings might move around a lot based on the size of the unit.

    I am looking at the MHI, Bronties too, or a Mitsubishi electric as I am doing an extension and it isn’t worth moving my 23yo Daiken. Sometimes people can get too fixated on ratings such as choice, as it is all too variable with AC size, room size and shape, aspect etc.

    As for brand reliability, choice member feed back says:
    “ The top scoring brands for 2023 are:

    1. Daikin and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – 74%

    2. Mitsubishi Electric – 72%

    3. Fujitsu, LG and Panasonic – 71%

    Daikin and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries tied for the title of best air conditioner brand for 2023. While individual models from other brands sometimes score better, models from Daikin and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries models on average score well across their entire range. “

    Those reliability figures for any of those brands don’t strike me as measurably different, or all that great.

    • JimB on 02/02/2024 - 12:26
      +2

      Choice is good for some reviews..

      However they don't test for long reliability. Panasonic anecdotally seems to be one of the best, if not the best. My family have installed well over 15 Panasonics in various houses in the past 15 years, never had an issue with any of them.

      Also smaller ACs have better efficiency for some reasons.

      End of the day, between Panasonic, MHI, ME, Fujitsu, I'll pick the cheapest one on sale. The installer will make more of a difference than the brand (of the ones I mentioned).

      Installers also like Panasonic as they are easy to work with.

      I have Daikin ducted at my house. Daikin make very good splits (see them commercially all the time) but the Splits cost so much more than the other Japanese brands that I wouldn't consider them for home.

      • entropysbane on 02/02/2024 - 12:33
        +1

        Have to agree with that. Whatever is the best deal.
        On Daiken split systems, my 8kw system has operated for 23 years with only one service clean which we paid for as it had mildew in the head unit as we hadn’t used it for a while. No part replacements, so I can’t complain. But expensive.

        • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 13:05

          Those are good insights. The Panasonic 8kw I was looking at has better energy rating both for cool and heating and all 3 types of environment (hot, normal, cold). As someone mentioned, larger units are less efficient as well

          • JimB on 02/02/2024 - 16:10
            +2

            @edforums: I had a Panasonic 8kw previously.

            I wish I got the 7kw as the 8kw was overkill.

            The 7kw was more efficient and much cheaper, back in the day the 8kw outdoor unit was nearly twice (twin fan).

            If you have a well insulated house without western windows, you could go for a slightly smaller unit than recommended. I made the mistake of going bigger than recommended.

            • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 16:55

              @JimB: Thanks I have north and western windows :). My first option was 7 but after a few recommendations I was told 8 was right. One was happy to put a 9.5, so yeah, better to check
              and ask before choosing something too large

              • sumyungguy on 03/02/2024 - 10:25
                +1

                @edforums: Best to try as many sizing calculators as you can find to cross-check the installers who estimate just by walking into a room. When your 8 eventually fails and you want a 9.5 the pipe diameters may differ. I got lucky having a Daikin 6 and was able to replace with a 7 using the same refrigerant lines. The 6kW struggled on the hottest humid days especially with a room full of people. With 7kW my room is comfortable through summer when set at 25°.

  • lgacb08 on 02/02/2024 - 12:36
    +1

    I had both in my old place, 7kw & 2.5kw Panasonic and several 2.5kw avanti MHI. To be fair they all perform very well. The large Panasonic is very powerful and has no trouble cooling half the house, and can do the whole house if you give them an extra fan to push air around. But it chew through energy but I suppose any 7kw or above will do the same thing. Expect constant 2kwh every hour until the place reach temp.
    Between the smaller ones MHI seems to be better in noise control as it ramp up and down smoother.
    Both can be modded to add wifi if that is your thing, even with unit made 10 years ago but Panasonic is quite straight forward.

    • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 13:08

      Yeah, I was not considering the wifi module, I thought about getting a smart IR receiver for $30 in Amazon in case I want to add some "smartness" to the unit in the future. I have fans in the house to I hope the 8kw might be enough at least when it's super hot.
      I read someone mentioning the same as you, the Panasonic being quicker in cooling large areas

      • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 13:19

        btw, the reviews of the Panasonic app in the app store are pretty bad

        • lgacb08 on 02/02/2024 - 16:20
          +1

          If you're going home assistant path wifi is a moot point but ME>Panasonic>MHI in terms of adding wifi integration. And I'm not talking about ir control, these Esphome based mods will give far superior control over the unit.

  • JimmyF on 02/02/2024 - 13:16
    +1

    MHI is great, but the wifi app is a bit meh.

    ME is also great and good wifi app

    • DoctorCalculon on 03/02/2024 - 10:40

      Setting aside the WiFi apps, is MHI > ME in terms of reliability and longevity?

      Some of the comments here favour ME over MHI.
      My aircon installer won't touch the ME aircons - only MHI and Daikin (based on their call out experience).

      • JimmyF on 03/02/2024 - 13:43
        +2

        Setting aside the WiFi apps, is MHI > ME in terms of reliability and longevity?

        I have MHI and the folks have ME. Both have worked amazing.

        Folks have the wifi and they love being able to turn on the heater remotely.

        I don't have wifi and the MHI version is meh

        My aircon installer won't touch the ME aircons - only MHI and Daikin (based on their call out experience).

        Installers will say whatever they are selling is the best and the rest is crap.

        If I was to buy again, I would go ME. But YMMV

  • krisp on 02/02/2024 - 13:21
    +1

    I have the Panasonic XKR 7kW system cooling and heating 33sq house without a sweat! I chose it especially for the Nanoe-X system which works really well clearing the air from pollutants (no more itching eyes)

    • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 13:28

      That's one the points I forgot to mention. I have a few xiaomi air purifiers that I use during winter to reduce the allergy on my kids, and one of the installers told me it helped him with allergy. So, that's another selling point that seems to be effective and not just marketing stuff. I'm generally sceptical to those things unless someone proves me it worked on them

  • randombrick on 02/02/2024 - 13:40
    +1

    I got MHI splits installed last year. Has been good so far.

    For automation, I am using Broadlink IR blasters + Zigbee temperature sensors with HA. Works fine so far.

    • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 13:44

      I thought the same, Broadlink RM4 Mini + usb temp/humidity sensor cable, if I wanted to go that path in the future

  • Aussiebargainer on 02/02/2024 - 13:46
    +1

    MHI is a market leader for a reason.

    I have the Bronte installed in my primary and investment homes. Been a few years now and never had a any issues the across 20+ units.

  • eek on 02/02/2024 - 14:39
    +1

    Another vote for MHI. Have used Mitsubishi and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries across 3 properties over the last 10+ years. The 10+ year ones are still performing great, even in rental properties where filters have been neglected and the AC's running almost non-stop. Wifi add-on for the MHI is a bit meh and expensive as others have mentioned.

    • JimB on 02/02/2024 - 16:11
      +1

      FYI. Mitsubishi and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are two totally different companies.

      MHI use to be rated higher than ME, now it's reversed.

      • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 16:56

        That's correct, ME is more expensive than MHI

      • eek on 05/02/2024 - 09:57

        Yep, I know. Have tried both, happy with both.

  • adam-07 on 02/02/2024 - 20:04

    I have both. The MHI are heaps better. I wouldn't buy the Panasonic again.

    • edforums on 02/02/2024 - 22:45

      Why is that ? What Panasonic model you have ?

      • adam-07 on 03/02/2024 - 10:42
        +1

        I have 3.5kw cooling only inverter Panasonic's. 3 of them. They grow mould easily. They have less power than the MHI for the same rating. They rattle and creak after a while. The computer inside them crashes sometimes and you don't notice until the room gets hot and you need to reset them.

        On the plus side, they have half of a degree increments, so you can set the room to exactly what you want. I wish all ACs had that.

  • Danstar on 03/02/2024 - 00:05
    +1

    I use LG as they all have wifi without needing to buy a dongle

  • Reaper1 on 03/02/2024 - 08:06
    +1

    I have Panasonic 7Kw for nine years and still going strong.

    • eug on 03/02/2024 - 14:23
      +2

      No problems with my Panasonic 2.6kW too, 18 years and not a single problem. No idea if they're still built the same though.

  • singingwolf on 03/02/2024 - 08:45
    +1

    Mitsubishi Heavy Industry is quiter, has a higher customer satisfaction and uses larger copper pipes for faster/more efficient transfer of gas.

  • 2esc on 03/02/2024 - 10:00
    +1

    Dont go anywhere Fujitsu's warranty is useless. Ive now got a Daikin been going well. MHI ive heard good things about and at the other end of the house thats what im planning.

  • ValueBob on 03/02/2024 - 17:42
    +1

    I have Panasonic Split Inverter (older model) and very happy with it. It would be on my short list if I need another unit.
    At the time, I did consider Daikin and Mitsubishi. Decided on Panasonic for a few reasons:
    - NanoG purifier inbuilt. Great to run it as "Fan only" mode; surprising effective on milder days.
    - Smart Patrol sensor (i.e. movement direction sensor).
    - Looks nicer (interior unit), curvy less boxy (at that time).
    - Biggest external unit … technical consideration … more below.

    Basically, the laws of Physics apply. Physical size matters for external and internal units - bigger is better :-). You want the biggest external and internal physical size, running at the lowest input power requirement of the combination (i.e. Amps) - the sweet spot.

    For the current Panasonic Z series, my pick will be 6kW (start of the longer/bigger internal unit) or 7kW (start of the biggest external unit). The 7kW will be "easy work" for the air-con (since it has the same internal unit as the 6kW, but has a larger external unit).

    Next is placement and installation. Obviously, you don't want the external unit in the glaring sun! The South side is usually best, if possible. It is common sense. Don't let the installer decide for you, since they will do what is is easy for them (not what is best for you).

    • kanad on 03/02/2024 - 20:58
      +1

      FWIW, I am in Brissy too. Installed Panasonic 2.5KWh and 7KWh 2 years back and they are great. Pretty quiet and cooling is too powerful sometimes, I have to use the quiet mode to reduce cooling.

  • edforums on 05/02/2024 - 02:42

    Thanks a lot guys for all the info!

  • keejoonc on 22/02/2024 - 23:16
    +1

    We have two MHI aircons (2.5kw SRK25ZSA) and one just broke less than one month out of the warranty period.

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