What to know before buying an air conditioner

We guide you through choosing one that suits your home and saves you money.

woman using an air conditioner on a teal background

Chris Barnes

Choosing the best air conditioner can be a challenge. What size do you need? How much will it cost to run? How noisy will it be? We can help you make sense of your options and find the right model for your home.

This guide focuses on split-systems, as these are the most popular type of air conditioner in Australia. You can also check out our ducted air conditioner buying guide, and our portable air conditioner buying guide.

On this page:

Which type of air conditioner you should get?
Reverse-cycle vs cooling only
What size air conditioner do you need?
Energy rating labels
Sustainability and air conditioning
How much does it cost to run an air conditioner?
Australia's best air conditioner brand
Australia's most reliable air conditioner brand
Features to consider
Installing an air conditioner

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Which type of air conditioner you should get?

For most homes, a reverse-cycle split-system air conditioner will be the best option. Let's break down what that means.

Split-system

These have two parts: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, connected by pipes containing refrigerant gas. They're the most common air conditioner type in Australia, and are good for a room or open plan area up to about 60m².

Price range: $600–5500 (not including installation).

Multi-split

Similar to a split-system, but with one outdoor unit connected to two or more indoor units. Good for two or three rooms that are reasonably close together, especially when separate split-systems or a ducted system aren't suitable.

Price range: About the same as the equivalent separate split-systems ($600–5500 per system, not including installation).

Ducted

These have a discreet central unit, usually located out of sight in your roof, connected by air ducts to air outlets and sensors in each room. Ducted air conditioning is good for cooling and heating a whole house. See our ducted air conditioner buying guide for more details.

Price range: from $9000 fully installed (and can easily be $15,000 or more).

Wall/window

A single box unit, installed in a window or through an external wall. These are good for rooms and open-plan areas of up to 50m². Smaller units can be plugged into a normal power point, while larger ones may need additional wiring. As long as no electrical work is required, you can install these units yourself, if you're reasonably handy with tools. They're not quite as efficient or effective as split-systems but a reasonable budget option if a split-system isn't an option (if you're renting, for example).

Price range: $600–1200 (plus installation, if you don't do it yourself).

Portable

A single unit that can be moved from room to room as needed (but generally not easily). Most have a flexible duct that must be attached to a window to vent the heat outside. Portable air conditioners are good for rooms in households where a built-in option isn't feasible (such as if you're renting), though they're not as efficient as split-systems. Check our portable air conditioner reviews to find the best models.

Price range: $300–1100.

CHOICE tip: You don't need to pay top dollar to get the best air conditioner. Some recommended models in our air conditioner reviews cost under $1500.

Reverse-cycle vs cooling only

A reverse-cycle air conditioner can heat as well as cool – in fact, it's one of the cheapest ways to heat your home in winter.

Most cooling-only and reverse-cycle models aren't very different for cooling efficiency, but the models that score best in our test for cooling efficiency all happen to be reverse-cycle models.

Perhaps because reverse-cycle is the most popular type of air conditioner, the market for them is more competitive and it may be that manufacturers invest more into developing efficient reverse-cycle models.

Even if you only use heating occasionally, you're better off getting a reverse-cycle model in most cases

If you only need an air conditioner for cooling in summer (for instance, if you live in an area with mild winters or you already have another heating system), then a cooling-only air conditioner could be right for you. They're generally cheaper than reverse-cycle models but usually have all the same features.

But even if you only use heating occasionally, you're better off getting a reverse-cycle model in most cases.

How reverse-cycle works

In cooling mode, a reverse-cycle split-system air conditioner extracts heat from the indoor air and moves it outside via the refrigerant gas in the pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor unit releases the heat and pumps the cooled refrigerant back to the indoor unit where the cycle continues.

In heating mode, the process is simply reversed to extract heat energy from the outdoor air and send it indoors (even in cold weather there's some heat energy in the outdoor air).

What size air conditioner do you need?

Here's our rough guide to the air conditioner capacity (size) you'll need for a particular room size.

For more details, read our article What size air conditioner do you need?

Room size	Capacity
Up to 20 square metres	2–2.5kW
20–40 square metres	2.5–5kW
40–60 square metres	4–6kW
60–80 square metres	5–7kW
80+ square metres	6–9kW

So, that's the ballpark guide, but you really need to do an accurate calculation before buying your air con, or else you'll run into these issues.

Models that are too powerful for the room size may run frequent short cycles to achieve the target temperature. This can result in the room getting too cold or hot, inadequate dehumidification (i.e. not drying the air enough, making the room feel less comfortable), increased power consumption and running costs, and wear and tear on the system.
Underpowered models may have to run more often at maximum output, which could dry the air too much and also lead to excessive wear.

CHOICE tip: Choose a model with equal or slightly greater capacity for the room.

For example, if you calculate the room needs a 6kW model, then look for an air conditioner with rated cooling capacity in the range of 6kW to 6.5kW (roughly). It's probably a safer bet to get a model slightly above the required capacity than slightly below it, as a little extra grunt may help in extreme temperatures. But don't go too much above the required capacity.

How to do a proper calculation

Some installers and online calculators offer only a simplistic analysis and may tend to recommend a larger capacity than you really need.

But there are a lot of variables to consider. For example, a well-insulated room with south-facing windows will be at the bottom end of the capacity range, while an uninsulated room with west-facing windows will be towards the top.

Likewise, a room in Perth will probably need a more powerful air conditioner compared to an otherwise identical room in Sydney.

A proper calculation takes all the room's details into account.

The size of the room (length, width and height).
The type of room (living room, open-plan living room and kitchen, bedroom etc).
The size and orientation of the windows and glass doors (a large north- or west-facing window can let in a lot of heat in summer).
Shading and curtains on the windows.
Insulation of the floor, ceiling, and walls.
The local climate.

The cooling load and heating load calculators on fairair.com.au, by the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), are worth using – they let you factor in a lot of details about the room, its insulation, window orientation and more to get an accurate guide to the right air conditioner size.

Omnicalculator.com also has a size calculator you can try. Alternatively you can try the calculators on manufacturer and installer websites, but we think these tend to overestimate the capacity you need.

Energy rating labels

Residential split-system air conditioners have to meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) to be sold in Australia. This means you can be assured that any new model you buy will be reasonably energy-efficient.

The more stars, the more efficient the model and the less it should cost to run

When a manufacturer registers a model with the government Energy Rating system, the air conditioner gets a star rating label for cooling and heating based on its test results against the Australian standard for air conditioners. You'll see the label on the model instore or online. This gives you a quick and easy way to compare models.

The more stars, the more efficient the model and the less it should cost to run, assuming it's been correctly installed.

Even a model with one or two stars is still OK, but a model with five or six stars (or more) is clearly better, though the more efficient model might also be more expensive.

Zoned air conditioner energy rating label

The Zoned Energy Rating Label for air conditioners (image supplied by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water).

The zoned star rating label

The old star rating label had one rating for cooling and one for heating. Any model registered from April 2020 onwards has a more detailed star rating label, known as the Zoned Energy Rating Label (ZERL). This shows three cooling star ratings and three heating star ratings, based on the climate zone where the unit is installed.

An air conditioner that's good at cooling a home in an average climate zone (see below) might not be the best choice for someone living in a hot zone, for example. Likewise, others might be best suited to heating homes in cold zones. These zoned ratings help you choose the best model for your area and your needs.

The three climate zones are:

Hot – northern Australia including Darwin and Brisbane
Average – the middle zone of Australia including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth
Cold – southern Australia including Melbourne, southern Western Australia, Tasmania, Canberra and eastern state mountain regions, and also New Zealand.

Our air conditioner reviews include the zone star rating labels for each model where available. There are still older models on the market without this data. We calculate running costs for cold, average and hot zones based on this zoned energy data, for those models that have it.

Sustainability and air conditioning

Air conditioners have a reputation for being environmentally unfriendly, and to some extent that's true. They can use a lot of electricity, and collectively can be a significant drain on the grid on very hot days when everyone's trying to cool their homes at the same time.

And they contain refrigerant gases, which can contribute to global warming. The refrigerants used in the past also contributed to destroying the planet's ozone layer, but fortunately modern refrigerants don't have that effect.

To make your air conditioner usage more environmentally friendly, you can insulate your home

However, all that should be weighed against the fact that a good quality modern air conditioner is actually a highly energy-efficient form of cooling and heating. There are very few other appliances that can deliver as much cooling or heating for the amount of electricity they use.

Ideally, a home should have good thermal efficiency – insulation, window coverings, shade and so on – so that it rarely needs an air conditioner. Sadly, most homes aren't designed that efficiently, and air conditioners are increasingly a fact of life.

To make your air conditioner usage more environmentally friendly, you can:

insulate your home
only use the air conditioner when you really need to
run it on your own solar power, if that's an option.

Warranty

Another sustainability factor is how long the air conditioner lasts. It's poor form for an expensive appliance to end up on the junk heap (or even in recycling) after only a few years. An air conditioner should usually last at least six years, and they frequently last 10 years or more. Our air conditioner reviews include the warranty period for each model, which is an indicator of how confident the manufacturer is in their product.

Most brands offer five-year warranties, while Hitachi offers six years and Teco offers seven years for certain models during promotional periods.

CHOICE tip: Don't forget: you're still covered by Australian Consumer Law regardless of the manufacturer warranty.

Shop Ethical

We've partnered with Shop Ethical to show the ratings the Ethical Consumer Group gives to each manufacturer. The ratings take into account a wide range of factors such as the company's record on worker and human rights, its supply chain practices, signatory status on international agreements, and much more.

How much does it cost to run an air conditioner?

Running costs for a medium-sized air conditioner vary considerably, depending on the climate zone you live in, and the thermal efficiency of your home (e.g. how well insulated it is).

Running costs can vary by several hundred dollars a year. We calculate running costs in our air conditioner reviews so you can compare your options. We've recently changed how we calculate these.

Heating and cooling appliances account for about 40% of the energy use in the average Australian home

Running costs are now based on the energy usage for each model as calculated for the Zoned Energy Rating Label, which estimates its typical energy usage in cooling and heating modes in cold, average and hot climate zones.

Typically, running costs in a cold zone (e.g. Canberra, Melbourne or Hobart) or hot zone (e.g. Darwin or Brisbane) tend to be higher than for the average zone (e.g. Sydney, Perth and Adelaide). That's simply because the air conditioner is usually run for more hours in those zones, and may also have to work harder (using more energy) in their more extreme cold or heat.

Running costs of air conditioners we've reviewed
Size	Approximate yearly cost to run*
Small (up to 4kW)	$150–370
Medium (4–6kW)	$340–650
Large (over 6kW)	$530–1160

* For reverse-cycle models in an average climate zone, based on the estimated annual energy usage for each model, in cooling and heating modes (calculated as per the Australian Standards for air conditioners), with the remainder of the year in standby mode, and with electricity costs of 40 cents/kWh. It's only indicative – your actual running costs will vary depending on your home and how much you actually use the air conditioner

Heating and cooling appliances account for about 40% of the energy use in the average Australian home. Here's how to save some money.

Having the right size of air conditioner is an important first step – see above.
A model with more energy stars will be more efficient and use less power than a model with fewer stars.
Our air conditioner reviews rate each model for cooling and heating efficiency more precisely than the star ratings, and give an indicative running cost for each model.
Make your home as energy-efficient as possible: check out our top 10 tips for keeping your home cool efficiently and effectively.
Use Economy mode ("Eco mode") if your air conditioner has one.
Set the target temperature (thermostat) to a reasonable temperature so the system doesn't have to work too hard and use more power than really necessary.

We recommend you set your air conditioner to no more than 8°C cooler than the outside temperature.

On a hot day – say 33°C – you might be tempted to put the air conditioner way down to 20°C, but for best efficiency try to cope with 25°C.

And in winter, set your reverse-cycle air conditioner to no more than 8°C warmer than the outside temperature (wear a jumper if you have to!).

OK, many of us won't follow this rule, especially on the really hot or cold days, and fair enough – comfort is important. But it's a good rule to aim for. Sticking to this 8°C differential (or as close as you are comfortable with) will save on wear and tear on the air conditioner's motor, and save a lot on your energy bill. Each degree cooler you set it in summer, or warmer in winter, can add about 10% to the running cost of your air conditioner.

Inverter air conditioners are generally more efficient and cost less to run than non-inverter (conventional) air conditioners. Most split systems on the market these days are inverter models.

Inverter models vary the speed of the compressor (in the outdoor unit) so it speeds up or down as need demands. By not actually having to stop and start several times a day, there's less stress on the compressor and less electricity used.
In non-inverter models, the compressor in the outdoor unit is either on at full power, or off. This can cause more wear and tear on the compressor and uses more power to start up each time, so these models aren't as efficient to run as inverter models. They can be cheaper to buy, but you won't find many non-inverter models on the market these days.

Avoid buying in peak season if you can – that will be summer in most parts of Australia, but could be mid-winter too if you're in a colder region. Installers are usually very busy in these periods and you might have to wait some weeks before your new unit can be installed.

If possible, shop around before the peak season starts, so that your new unit is installed and ready for when you'll need it most.

Alternatively, it can be worth buying just after the season ends. Old stock may be discounted as retailers make room for new models.

The Department of Environment and Energy tested two types of solar-powered air conditioning systems in 2016. One category failed testing and was subsequently removed from sale in Australia.

The two categories tested include solar thermal and solar photovoltaic air conditioners. Solar thermal systems use the sun's heat to turn an electric generator. Solar photovoltaic (PV) air conditioners use a dedicated solar panel array to run the air conditioner (and only the air conditioner).

All three of the solar thermal air conditioners failed to pass the department's testing. None passed the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) standard for heating and cooling and, worse yet, all three operated between 4% and 21% less efficiently with the solar thermal technology enabled.

The report slammed solar thermal boosting as "a marketing gimmick that offers no improvement in the performance or amenity of the air conditioner".

"As a result," it continued, "these models can no longer be supplied in the Australian market."

In 2012 CHOICE lab-tested a solar thermal air conditioner and found that it wasn't any more efficient or better performing than regular air conditioners.

The photovoltaic air conditioner, by comparison, passed all of the government department's tests, delivering "significant improvements in efficiency".

But it had its own drawbacks. Using solar energy proved advantageous until the air conditioner operated at 75% of its solar array's capacity, where it became 'unstable' and would switch between solar and mains power.

A lot of potential electricity generation is wasted by PV air conditioners, the report found. These solar air conditioners will only use the energy generated by their dedicated solar panels when the air conditioner is running during daytime. And unlike regular solar panel systems, those dedicated solar panels aren't set up to feed into the home's other power circuits, so any extra power is wasted as it can't be used to power other household appliances.

If you want to run your air conditioner cheaply from solar power, a much better approach is to simply have a suitably sized solar panel array on your roof that powers the entire house, including your air conditioner, and to run the air conditioner during the day as much as practical to make best use of that solar power.

Australia's best air conditioner brand

So which brand of split-system air conditioner should you buy? We've identified the best of the bunch based on our reviews of hundreds of models and feedback from our members on satisfaction and reliability.

Best air conditioner brand 2024: Daikin

For the first time since we began awarding Best Brand for air conditioners, Daikin is the winner. In all previous years Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was the sole or joint winner, but this year it came a close second, followed by Mitsubishi Electric.

Best air conditioner brand 2024 scores

1. Daikin – 74%

2. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – 73%

2. Mitsubishi Electric – 72%

Other brands such as Fujitsu, LG and Panasonic often have individual models recommended in our reviews, but were not eligible for Best Brand due to below-average scores in at least one area, such as brand reliability, customer satisfaction or the overall average of their review scores.

It's important to note that the performance of specific product models may vary quite significantly, so don't assume that one brand's products are the best across the many different features, functions and price points.

To find out which specific models we recommend, click on the 'Recommended' box in the filters section of our air conditioner reviews.

The Best Brand air conditioner is based on our reviews over the past four years of hundreds of split-system air conditioners, as well as customer satisfaction and reliability information submitted by CHOICE members on their experience with the brand.

The Best Brand recommendation is given to companies with a clear lead over their competitors during the test period, and no more than two recommendations are given during each period.

Best Brand eligibility is tough – to be considered, we must have tested a minimum of five models, and a brand must have received a minimum of 50 responses to the CHOICE member survey. Brands must have above average test, reliability and satisfaction scores for consideration.

Some other brands actually end up with more recommended models, but fall down in other respects, such as having below average test scores across their entire range, or scoring too low for reliability and satisfaction.

The following criteria determines the Best Brand recommendation.

Average test score – 40%
Brand reliability – 30%
Customer satisfaction – 20%
Recommended ratio – 10%

Average test score

We measure the average test score (that is, its average CHOICE Expert Rating) for all the reviewed models of each brand. The CHOICE Expert Rating is based on the model's cooling and heating efficiency and whether it has a useful range of airflow from its various fan speeds. For more details, check out how we test air conditioners.

When calculating the average test score for each brand (and the number of recommended models), we look at our current and past results. In the case of air conditioners, it's the results from the previous four years of reviews, as that's a typical period for a model to stay on the market before it's discontinued.

Brand reliability

Our consumer insights team surveyed several thousand CHOICE members and non-members and asked whether they've run into any problems with their air conditioner in the past 12 months. Nearly 1000 CHOICE members and external respondents replied with details about their air conditioners and any problems they'd experienced with them.

Customer satisfaction

Our survey also asks how satisfied members are with their air conditioner. So even if an air conditioner has a fault after six months, it's still possible for it to have a high satisfaction score – perhaps the company has customer service that goes beyond expectations, or the product is simply too good, despite some performance quirks.

Recommended ratio

This calculates the percentage of air conditioners that CHOICE recommends for each brand. The greater number of models that earn a recommendation, the higher the recommended ratio score.

Best air conditioner brand 2024: Daikin

Best Brand score

Daikin: 74%
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 73%
Mitsubishi Electric: 72%

Models tested

Daikin: 105
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 47
Mitsubishi Electric: 81
LG: 14
Panasonic: 19
Fujitsu: 30

Recommended models

Daikin: 11
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 4
Mitsubishi Electric: 0
LG: 4
Panasonic: 1
Fujitsu: 1

Average test score

Daikin: 71%
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 68%
Mitsubishi Electric: 67%
LG: 73%
Panasonic: 68%
Fujitsu: 65%

Reliability score

Daikin: 89%
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 90%
Mitsubishi Electric: 92%
LG: 82%
Panasonic: 87%
Fujitsu: 91%

Satisfaction score

Daikin: 91%
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 91%
Mitsubishi Electric: 90%
LG: 83%
Panasonic: 85%
Fujitsu: 87%

Recommended ratio

Daikin: 10%
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 9%
Mitsubishi Electric: 0%
LG: 29%
Panasonic: 5%
Fujitsu: 3%

Australia's most reliable air conditioner brand

We sent a survey to approximately 4000 CHOICE members and non-members to find out which air conditioner brands are the most reliable. Our CHOICE survey team queried members about whether they've run into any problems with their split-system air conditioner in the past 12 months. We also take into account the age of the products so we can compare fairly between brands.

Features to consider

Fan speeds

The fan circulates cooled or heated air around the room. Look for a model with a wide airflow range and multiple fan speeds: from very high (to help the room cool down quickly) to very low so there's less noise and no unpleasant draught once you have the right temperature.

Operating modes

Auto: Automatically chooses the mode required to keep the room at the chosen temperature.
Cool: Pumps heat from the inside to the outside, cooling the room.
Heat: Pumps heat from the outside to the inside, warming the room.
Dry: Dehumidifies the air. Provides some cooling, but not as much as cooling mode.
Fan only: Blows air without heating, cooling or drying, which is useful when all you want is a cooling breeze.
Economy: Also called Eco mode, this reduces power consumption. Different brands implement this in different ways. It may simply reduce the cooling or heating output by adjusting the thermostat a degree or two, or it may use sensors to detect if no one is in the room and then reduce the cooling/heating.

Human presence sensor

This detects whether someone is in the room, so the unit knows to keep working. When no one is detected, the unit might switch to an economy mode to reduce power consumption (but you should still turn the unit off if the house is empty).

This feature goes by different names: Mitsubishi Electric calls it Absence Detection, for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries it's Eco Operation, for Panasonic it's Econavi, and for Daikin it's Intelligent Eye.

person using app to control temperature with air conditioner

Many newer air conditioners can be controlled via an app on your phone.

Wi-Fi and app control

Many newer models can connect to the wireless network in your home so you can control the air conditioner via an app on your smartphone – handy if you're at work and want to turn it on before you get home, or you're at home and you've misplaced the remote.

For some models the Wi-Fi feature is an optional extra in the form of a Wi-Fi device purchased separately. These are added onto the indoor air conditioner unit and generally require professional installation. Typically these devices cost a few hundred dollars, plus installation.

Remote control

Look for large, well-spaced buttons with easy-to-read labels, and a big, easy-to-read LCD screen.

Sleep mode

This function adjusts the temperature in steps to a comfortable level for sleeping so the air conditioner doesn't work as hard (and is quieter) when you're sleeping.

Adjustable or oscillating louvres

We recommend you point them up for cool air and down for warm. This can be done via the remote for most models. Left and right adjustability helps direct air to where it's needed.

Restart delay

Protects the compressor by preventing the air conditioner from starting up again too soon after being switched off.

Noise

How noisy are air conditioners? Most modern split-system air conditioners are very quiet indoors and out, but it's worth checking an air conditioner's noise levels before you buy.

We measure noise as part of our split-system air conditioner reviews. In our latest test, the noise from indoor units ranged from 19dB to 53dB, and from the outdoor units, 42dB to 69dB (measured on the quietest indoor fan setting).

For comparison, here are some common sound levels:

30dBA – typical sound level of a quiet home.
50dBA – interior of a quiet car while driving.
60dBA – typical conversation.
70–80dBA – vacuum cleaner.

A noisy indoor unit may interfere with your activities, conversation or sleep. A noisy outdoor unit can disturb you (if it's too close to a bedroom or living room window) or your neighbours, so consider outdoor unit placement carefully.

Most local councils have noise restrictions relating to the use of air conditioners. Check council regulations before buying, and your strata rules if you live in an apartment, especially if the outdoor unit needs to be installed close to a neighbour's house.

wall mounted air conditioner illustration

A high-wall mounted air con will blow air easily across a room.

Wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted?

High wall: The indoor unit is mounted high on a wall so its airflow can easily blow across the room.
Floor-mounted: The indoor unit is at floor level, which may be better suit some rooms.
Cassette: The indoor unit is mounted in the ceiling.
Floor/ceiling: Can be mounted on either the ceiling or the floor.

Operating range

Do you live in a very hot or cold region? Most air conditioners can operate in temperatures from about -10°C up to about 45°C or more. This is sufficient for most parts of Australia, but check the air conditioner's operating range before you buy to make sure it can cope with any extremes in your area. (If you live in a hot and dry climate, an evaporative cooler can be a cheaper alternative to an air conditioner.)

Automatic de-icing

If you live in a cold area, get an air conditioner with automatic de-icing to avoid frost building up on the outdoor heat exchanger coils in winter.

Demand Response Enabling Device (DRED)

If you have an air conditioner with the Demand Response Enabling Device (DRED, or PeakSmart) feature, and your energy provider offers the PeakSmart service, they'll be able to remotely switch your air conditioner to an economy mode during times of high demand on the grid.

This will usually have no major impact on the air conditioner's cooling (or heating) output – you might not even notice it happening – but it will reduce the amount of power the air conditioner is using, not just saving you money but also reducing the need for more 'poles and wires' to meet energy needs.

So far only a few energy companies provide the service. Some energy companies, including Queensland-based Energex and Ergon, also pay incentives to customers who buy DRED-enabled air conditioners.

wall mounted air conditioner with remote control

Most air con models can operate in temperatures from about -10°C up to about 45°C or more, which is sufficient for most parts of Australia.

Air purification

All air conditioners have a dust filter in the indoor unit. This traps dust from the air as it circulates through, mainly to stop it clogging up the internal workings. But the dust filter will only have a minimal effect, if any, on smoke and other very fine particles.

To filter out smoke, you really need a HEPA filter. But HEPA filters can't practically be fitted to split-system or ducted air conditioners because air conditioners have to deliver quite significant volumes of airflow into the room, and would need massively powerful fans in the indoor unit to force that amount of air through the very tight weave of a HEPA filter.

However, many new air conditioner models do have an air purification feature, typically based on ionisation or photocatalytic filters. Our guide to air conditioner air purifier filters explains the details of how these filters work.

Online, you may find various aftermarket air purifying filters for air conditioners, described as electrostatic, activated carbon or similar. They claim to be compatible with major air conditioner brands and in some cases can be cut to size to suit different models.

Be cautious with any such filters. While they may provide filtration as claimed, it's highly unlikely that they've been thoroughly tested with every air conditioner brand, and using non-genuine parts may reduce your air conditioner's performance, possibly cause damage and could void your warranty.

Installing an air conditioner

Most air conditioners, including split-systems and ducted systems, must be installed by a licensed air conditioner installer because of the gas refrigerant. Look for an installer with ARCtick approval, and get a few quotes. Most traders offer supply and install packages, and some installation only (meaning you'll need to buy the unit yourself). To find out more, read our article How much does an air conditioner cost to install or replace?
As well as an ARCtick accreditation, your air conditioner installer should have an electrical qualification in order to wire your air conditioner into your home. Many don't, but this means they'll be unable to offer a warranty on the electrical work, only the air conditioner itself.
Likewise, plumbing your air conditioner's drain into your home's stormwater system needs to be performed by a qualified plumber. So check that the installer you choose has the necessary accreditations to carry out the whole installation.
Wall/window air conditioners don't have to be installed by a licensed installer as their refrigerant is fully contained in the single unit. As long as you're reasonably handy with tools and can manage hefting the unit into place, and there's a power point close by to plug it in, you can install these yourself. If DIY is not an option, most retailers can arrange installation for an extra fee.

The compressor should be installed on a firm base or attached to a wall with sturdy brackets, and protected from direct sunlight.

It's generally better to install an air conditioner on a longer wall of a room, and not directly above a window, but your installer should recommend the best place for your individual situation.
The outdoor unit of your split-system needs to be installed on a firm base (like a concrete slab) or attached to a wall using sturdy brackets. It should be as close as possible to the indoor air outlet, ideally with about three to five metres of pipes between the two units.
Shade the outdoor part of your air conditioner from direct sunlight – for example, by installing it on a southern wall or providing an awning.
Single-phase power is all you need for most single (and multi) split-system air conditioners. Three-phase power might be needed for very large multi-split or ducted systems, say 20kW capacity or more.
Once you've got your air conditioner, don't forget to clean the filters periodically and have the unit serviced regularly.

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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