Why Splits?

Rising energy costs and staying warm or saving on bills?

Did you know that it is estimated that the average Canberra family needs to budget over $3,900 each year just to cover gas and electricity bills with more price hikes anticipated year on year? Chances are that you may be paying a lot more than this average forecast.

So how do you save on energy bills?

We have crystalised all the different saving strategies and boiled it down to the following three options, there is one clear winner based on our research but we will get to that in just a moment:

1. Rug up and keep the heater off
2. Switch to a different energy retailer
3. Use alternative energy efficient heating appliances

Let’s deal with these 3 options individually:

Rugging up and keeping the heater off

Mums and Dads across the territory are at times genuinely conflicted between keeping the family warm and trying to save on the bills by going without heating, while this can have real negative health implications there is a growing number of Canberra families who see this as the only viable solution to keep the family budget from getting out control. It may work for a couple of days, but it is rarely a sustainable alternative.

Switching energy retailers
This alternative works better in places around Australia with a broad choice of energy providers, however that has not always been the case for Canberra. With approximately 7 retailers to choose from, households have the ability to compare and look for cheaper alternatives while keeping a sharp eye for introductory offers and discounts that may only be offered for a short time to lure you in. Every genuine dollar you can save by switching providers is a welcome saving.

Using energy efficient alternative heating appliances
Most homes in Canberra much like the rest of Australia will probably have one of the following appliances as their heating appliance (shown in order of energy efficiency):

1. Split system reverse cycle air conditioner
2. Electric heater
3. Gas heater

We have been in the heating and cooling industry for many years and after reviewing all the available research and weighing up hundreds of customer experiences it’s clear that split system reverse cycle air conditioners offer the very best value for money when it comes to energy efficiency and giving families the best chance of beating the rising energy prices.

In the infographic above you will see clearly that split system reverse cycle air conditioners can convert one unit of electrical power or gas energy, known as a kilowatt or kW, into 4 kW of heat energy output to warm up your home while its closest rival, the electric heater, only manages 1 kW of heat energy output and 0.75 kW for the gas heater. In other words, you can generate up to 4 times more heating capacity for the same amount of power intake by using one of our energy efficient split systems.

Why are split systems so much more efficient?

The experts are unanimous on this one, the most efficient way to heat up your home is with an electric heat pump. What’s that you may say? It’s the technology that is used in all the split system reverse cycle air conditioner units we recommend and that our customers love.

The split system has an indoor air handling unit and an outdoor compressor and condenser unit. The heat pump resides in the outdoor unit and uses the existing heat energy that can be found in the atmospheric air using technology that captures this heat and transfers that heat indoors for your comfort and convenience in the home.

With increasing technological advancements, the energy efficiency that split systems have makes this alternative even more attractive to many households impacted by adversely changing weather conditions, rising energy costs and flat household incomes.

Other advantages of split systems

The top three reasons why a lot of households in Canberra continue to love split systems other than their amazing energy efficiency are:

1. Their relatively small size and ease of installation,
2. Flexibility and convenience to only heat up the rooms being used and not the entire house, and
3. The units double as air conditioning and heating systems to deal with the extremes of the Canberra seasons while remaining energy efficient.

Do you still have one of those old air conditioners from the turn of the century?

While it may still work it’s probably costing you a small fortune in energy bills because energy efficiency wasn’t a thing a decade and a half ago.

Wouldn’t you agree that it’s probably time you got an upgrade? Imagine 40% more cooling energy efficiency, now that’s a good upgrade!

According to the Australian Government’s Department of the Environment and Energy, heating and cooling can account for 20% to 50% of energy used in Australian homes, including here in Canberra. That’s a massive chunk of the family budget!

Clients ask us whether it’s advisable to replace an old air conditioner even though it seems to be working fine, so we wanted to discuss that question here and lay out the three main reasons why we recommend that you should replace an ageing air conditioner:

1. Superior energy efficiency

Having an energy efficient air conditioning system is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a ‘must have’. Imagine saving 20% to 50% of your winter gas bills, that could add up to a pretty sum of money in just one year.

If you add the fact that energy prices are rising each year you realise that it makes economic sense to upgrade your old split system air conditioner to a new model and enjoy world class energy efficiency.

2. Reduce maintenance and repair costs

Wear and tear is inevitable even on the most well maintained air conditioning unit, as you use it each year during the cold Canberra winters and the hot summers, the unit has the potential to start breaking down and tends to overwork with age which increases its inefficiency meaning you spend more and more on energy bills and will most likely in repair bills too.

Replacing your old unit with a new one gives you the advantage of a more energy efficient, bill friendly air conditioner and the added comfort of a manufacturer’s warranty making repair costs non-existent for some time to come.

3. Newer models use a more environmentally safer refrigerant gas

By purchasing a newer model air con unit you automatically start to enjoy the benefits of a new refrigerant gas (R32) that is for the environment, more cost effective and more energy efficient.

Combined with modern technological advancements newer units have low toxicity, a higher refrigeration capacity so they cool your home with less energy than before as well as increased thermal conductivity for optimal heating.

Easy to install and haul away the old unit

Our honest and reliable professionals will come to your home to measure and quote you for a replacement unit including the removal of the old one.

We’ll provide you a detailed flat-fee pricing structure on the spot including a written quote and a full installation brief prior to any work commencing so you’ll know exactly what to expect. All you need to do is tell us when you’d like us to come to you. Enquire through our online booking system today https://bananasplitaircon.com.au/bookonline

How to Prepare for your Installation

Before

• Ensure the area around the installation point is clear of furniture and any outdoor items
• Ensure pets are kept at a safe distance away from the installation area
• Expect a bit of noise during the install, please also make back yard access available

Installation team

• We will arrive at your home in modern and clean service vehicles during the allocated time slot
• You will be contacted well in advance if there are unforeseen delays in arrival time
• All our trades people are fully licensed and accredited installers including working at heights and asbestos awareness certification
• Each team member always has a government issued working with vulnerable people card on them

Your home

• As we often work with inflammable gas, we work in a smoke free workplace
• We will protect your floors with drop sheets and boot covers if required
• If you have any spare roof tiles on hand, we can help repair any broken roof tiles noticed during installation
• Our ladder protectors are used to protect your gutters from scratches
• Electricity will be turned off to the house during installation, please ensure all computer devices and sensitive appliances are switched off before hand

Completion

• Once the job is complete, our installers will test and commission the work to ensure that everything is working
• We will clean and tidy up your home back to how we found it
• You will be taken through how the new system works and we will help you complete the warranty paperwork
• We will email you a full invoice whilst on site and provide you with full receipts

Qualifications:

• AIRAH Member of AIRAH – Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating
• Fully Qualified and Licensed Electricians
• Fully Qualified and Licensed Refrigeration Mechanics
• Official Supplier of Mitsubishi Electric
• Authorised Dealer for Rinnai Australia

What does reverse cycle air conditioning mean?

Reverse cycle is an air conditioner where the refrigeration cycle can be reversed, producing either heating or cooling.  It’s really 2 systems in one unit that work in the most efficient way together.  The added bonus of reverse cycle air conditioners is they can also filter and dehumidify the air, making your environment more clean, pleasant and healthy.

What does split system mean?

Split System air conditioners are quiet and effective.  Working on refrigerative air that splits in 2 parts; an indoor unit which contains the evaporator component and an outdoor unit which houses the compressor and condenser components.

How much do you charge for a reverse cycle, split system Installation?

There are a number of factors that will affect the price including your location, location of the unit, type of installation (see below), the size of the area that needs cooling or heating, and of course your budget. Typically an installation will cost between $1,600 and $3,800 which includes the supply of the unit and installation.  A firm quote will be provided once our technician has been onsite.  Our air conditioning installation price includes labour, refrigerant pipe, drain pipe, protective capping, wall brackets or poly slab and also includes a certificate of electrical safety.

What type of installations are there?

There are 2 main types of split system installations.  The first being referred to as a ‘Back to Back’ which means the indoor unit is installed inside your home or garage on an external wall with outdoor unit being mounted on the outside of the external wall or a poly slab directly behind.  The other main type of installation is called an ‘Up and Over’; this refers an indoor unit which is installed on an internal facing wall with the outdoor unit approximately 10m away or further.

What size split system air conditioning unit do I need?

There are 3 main factors that affect what size system you will need:

1. Floor Meterage – Size of room to be cooled & heated
2. Insulation – whether the dwelling has wall or ceiling insulation
3. Aspect of the building – The more exposed the building is, the larger the unit required

As a general rule, an air conditioner should have around 125 watts of power for every square meter of area you’re looking to cool. For example, let’s say you have a room that is 5 meters by 5 meters – a 25 sq. meter room. If you multiply 125 by 25, you will get 3125 watts or around 3.2 kW (rounding up), which is the size of air conditioner you should be aiming for. Doesn’t need to be an exact fit, but the closer the better.

How and why should I maintain (service) my split system air conditioner?

All appliances, including air conditioners require some basic, periodic maintenance to ensure they are running efficiently and to their fullest potential.  This includes cleaning the air filters and ensuring there is nothing obstructing airflow to your outdoor unit.  Banana Split Air Conditioning offer a General Service attending to all required cleaning of the indoor and outdoor units, checking all electrical and gas connections, ensuring fan motors are running etc. this also ensures you minimise breakdowns and costly repairs.

My split system isn’t working – what could be wrong?

• Warm Air – could be ‘no gas’ or ‘problem with compressor’
• No Air – Could be ‘motor’ or ‘computer’
• No Display – Could be faulty ‘thermostat’ or ‘computer’
• Water Leaking – Could be ‘condensate pump’ or ‘blocked drain’

We suggest booking yourself in for a Repair Appointment so our licensed technicians can come to site and provide you with an accurate diagnosis and advise accordingly.

Do you offer a warranty on your workmanship?

All work is carried out in accordance with industry guidelines and all relevant Australian Standards. Banana Split Air Conditioning Pty Ltd guarantees all installation ‘workmanship’ for a period of twelve months from the invoice date and all general service and repairs ‘workmanship’ for a period of ninety days from the invoice date.   Manufacturer’s Warranty