Multi-Head Split System Installation/Deals

Zephyrus on 29/02/2024 - 15:21
Last edited 29/02/2024 - 15:30

Hi, with all the hot weather I'm trying to upgrade my air conditioner from a single 3.5KW unit in my living room to a multi-head setup. I think 8KW outside with a 5KW and 3x2KW heads would work for my living room, 2 bedrooms and study. I've sent a few requests for a quote off and have heard back from one place that wants $9.4k and the rest seem to have ignored me.

This seems a little high, does anyone here have any idea on how much I should expect this to cost and any suggestions for installers?

I'd go for multiple units but it's a ground floor apartment and I don't have enough space for a heap of outdoor units.

Electrical & Electronics Air Conditioner

Comments

  • ValueBob on 29/02/2024 - 16:01
    +1

    Because there is existing piping for only 1 head unit, I hope the quote was done after an on-site inspection.
    Typical single level apartments are tricky to install (unless it is a corner lot), including the water drain-out hose (even if it pumped out, it'd be better to have some 'down-angle' drain-out).
    You would want all that piping to be concealed, either internally (in the wall) or hidden externally.
    A little thought, or mini-renovation, or compromise may be required. Price? It all depends on the floorplan, layout, and expectation.

    • Zephyrus on 29/02/2024 - 16:37

      Yeah, it is a corner ground floor apartment. I wouldn't have thought it would be much different than a free standing house in complexity

      • brendanm on 29/02/2024 - 18:17

        You can get into the roof space of a house.

      • ValueBob on 01/03/2024 - 17:27

        In newer larger apartment complexes, the OC (body corporate) owns the external wall and cladding; the OC will never approve piping running on the outside. All the piping must run along the internal wall (i.e. ugly, unless it can be covered up by cupboards etc, or you're ok with it being ugly). If you want it neat, then be prepared to rip-out the internal wall if at all possible (i.e. mini renovation).

  • Archi on 29/02/2024 - 16:01

    for that price why not get ducting

    • Zephyrus on 29/02/2024 - 16:34

      How much internal space does ducting take up?

    • Mike88 on 29/02/2024 - 17:18
      +2

      Ground floor apartment, I imagine they would have very limited access to ceiling space. Even if you could fit a ducted unit in it would likely be prohibitively expensive.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 29/02/2024 - 16:36
    +2

    Bit late, all the trades will be booked up until the end of next month. That's why you are getting ignored.

  • sumyungguy on 29/02/2024 - 16:38
    +1

    In summer they’re all run off their feet. You’ll either pay peak season price or get a second-rate installer. I’ve been waiting since before Xmas for a warranty inspection, still no confirmed date…

  • JimmyF on 29/02/2024 - 16:47
    +5

    This seems a little high, does anyone here have any idea on how much I should expect this to cost and any suggestions for installers?

    Well you picked peak time to do it, So everyone else without AC is doing the same.

    As for costs, multi head units are NOT cheaper to install like most would think. Each 'head' is the same amount of work to install inside and you end up spending more time running all the pipes back to the one unit than a back to back install. So while people say oh you only have to install 1 outside unit, this is true, but the amount of time spent to install a 4 headed unit vs 4 standalone units is about the same at the end of the day.

    I would allow in $2-3k per head, so your $9.5k quote is about right for a 3 headed unit without knowing the brand and site install issues they face.

    I'd go for multiple units but it's a ground floor apartment and I don't have enough space for a heap of outdoor units.

    The biggest issue with a multi head unit is if you have an outside unit issue, all units stop working. So if you could get the lounge area on a single unit and then maybe the bedrooms on a multi unit, that would be better in my books.

    If there is nothing wrong with your old lounge AC unit, then just put the bedrooms in instead for the moment. The cooling in the bedrooms will help the other unit too.

    • freefall101 on 29/02/2024 - 18:09
      +2

      I looked into this Feb last year, exactly as you say, it was going to be cheaper to go 3 separate units than install one with multi head because of the distance between them. None of the installers were interested in doing a multi head one anyway, they all just recommended doing single ones as they take less time and it's easier in the long run.

      Decided to just whack a big ol' 7kw one in the living area and worry about the smaller ones later. Cost about $3,500, including roof mounting and removing the the broken one it replaced (and redoing all the piping as it was rubbish, I think it was a DIY job).

  • Jake D on 29/02/2024 - 17:08
    +1

    Honestly doesn't seem that high.

  • bazingaa on 29/02/2024 - 18:06

    if you are in VIC there might be rebates to get a RCAC. I am replacing a gas wall furnace to RCAC with the same scheme. I got quoted for 6.3 kW MHI Bronte unit supply & installed for around $2.5k after rebate, seems reasonable isn't it.

    https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/households/victorian-energy-up…

  • brad1-8tsi on 01/03/2024 - 08:46

    Last year I paid $4000 for a Daikin double head with 2x3.5kW heads and a 7kW outdoor unit. This was for two 4x4 rooms.

    I don't think your price is too far off

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