Wall-mounted air conditioner / split / residential / individual Daikins LV-Series systems offer high energy saving features and comfort control with wall mount indoor units sophisticated in appearance or slim duct built-in units compact and concealed in design. Daikins LV-Series Wall Mount Systems feature wall mounted units with a sophisticated appearance and a flat panel design. Packed with high energy-saving features, these modular, space-savings systems are ideal for single room enhancements and additions up to 1,460 square feet*.On a sticky summer day, there's nothing like waving a magic wand, er, remote control, and transforming warm air into icy-cool air. Or indeed, the reverse: filling your home with comfy warm air on a chilly winter's day. This wizardry can be achieved with the addition of an air conditioner, and this guide will help you narrow down the options and find the best kind for your home. For whole-house systems (ducted), see our buying guide. If you're a renter, a portable air conditioner is probably your best bet, as there's no installation and you can take it with you next time you move.

See our portables buying guide for more. Video: How to find the best air conditioner See our test results and reviews of , and . The big question: what kind of system do I want? What even is split-system? Let's decode some technical terms: A split-system: This type of air conditioner consists of a compressor unit that's installed outside, and one or more indoor air outlets. They're usually used to cool one or more rooms, or an open-plan area, of up to 60 square metres. Inverter technology: With conventional air conditioners, the compressor is either on (working to 100% capacity) or off. Inverters can vary the compressor speed and maintain the set temperature within a narrow range. They are generally more efficient and can cost less to run, although a good conventional model can still be cost-effective. Cooling-only or reverse-cycle: Reverse-cycle models don't cost much more than cooling-only models and can be used for heating in winter. While the purchase and installation costs can be high, reverse-cycle air conditioners are actually among the cheapest and most effective forms of heating for large spaces.

They cause less carbon dioxide to be produced in power plants burning fossil fuel than other kinds of electric heaters. Wall/window: These models are usually installed in a window or external wall, and can cool rooms and open-plan areas of up to 50 square metres. Smaller units can be plugged into a normal power point; larger ones may require additional wiring. We don't currently include these models in our tests, because there are fewer on the market now, as split-systems are more efficient and have become more affordable in recent years. Mounting the air-conditioning unit Most split-systems are high wall models, where the indoor unit is mounted high on a wall so its air flow can easily blow across the room, and the cool air will sink down and push the hot air up and away. You can also find floor-mounted models, where the indoor unit is wall-mounted but at floor level — this might better suit some rooms, and could be a better option if you mainly use the unit for heating, as the hot air will come out at your level and rise to the ceiling.

Cassette models have the indoor unit mounted in the ceiling. samsung window air conditioner thermostatA few models can be mounted in either the ceiling or the floor.medallion ac unit OK, I've picked the system I want – what about size?2001 honda civic ac compressor clutch bearing It's important to accurately calculate the required cooling or heating capacity of your new air conditioner. Choose a model with equal or slightly greater capacity for the room, because: Models too powerful for the room size may run frequent short cycles to achieve the target temperature – which is like tapping the accelerator in your car to maintain speed instead of applying steady pressure. This can result in inadequate dehumidification (making the room feel less comfortable), increased power usage, and wear and tear on the system.

Underpowered models may have to run more often at maximum output, dry the air too much and you'll similarly suffer excessive wear. Other things to consider Do you live in a very hot or cold region? Each model has a recommended outdoor temperature operating range. Most models 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. Frost may build up on the outdoor heat exchanger coils in winter if the air conditioner doesn't have automatic de-icing and you live in a cold area. If you live in a hot and dry climate, an evaporative cooler can be a cheaper alternative to an air conditioner. Evaporative air coolers draw the hot air over a water reservoir. The water evaporates, absorbing heat from the air. The cooler, moist air is then blown into the room. Evaporative coolers are generally more suitable for areas with low humidity.

A noisy indoor unit may interfere with your activities, conversation or sleep, and most local councils have noise restrictions relating to the use of air conditioners. Check local regulations before buying, especially if the outdoor unit needs to be installed close to a neighbour's house. 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. Auto:Automatically chooses the mode required to keep the room at the chosen temperature. Cool:Pumps heat from the inside to the outside. Heat: Pumps heat from the outside to the inside. Dry: Dehumidifies the air, while cooling only slightly. Fan only: Blows air without heating, cooling or drying, which is useful when all you want is a cooling breeze. This detects whether someone is actually in the room, so that the unit knows to keep working.

Some models even direct the air movement towards the sensed person, so as to not use excess energy to cool other sections. Look for large, well-spaced buttons and a big, easy-to-read LCD screen. This function adjusts, in steps, the temperature to a comfortable level for sleeping so the air conditioner doesn't work as hard (and more quietly) when you're sleeping. Adjustable or oscillating louvres 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 where it's particularly needed. A protective feature that prevents the air conditioner from starting up again too soon after being switched off. How do I keep my energy costs down? Once you've worked out what capacity you need, compare the star ratings of models of similar capacity. The more stars, the lower the running costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Note that star ratings are different for heating and cooling. The government energy rating website has more information about the star rating system and the rules for air conditioners.

Demand Response Enabling Device Cooling and heating accounts for about 38% of an average household's energy use and is a huge contributor to peak demand on the grid as well. To help reduce household power consumption, many new air conditioner models now feature DREDs (Demand Response Enabling Devices), also known as PeakSmart. DREDs allow participating energy companies to remotely control the air conditioner in periods of peak electricity demand – usually in high summer when everyone wants to cool their homes – reducing both the strain on the grid and your household power consumption, without greatly affecting the air conditioner's performance. It can go a long way to reducing peak electricity demand and therefore the need for new infrastructure – and that means less cost passed on to consumers. So far, only a few energy companies provide the service by installing a signal receiver into the DRED-enabled air conditioner which automatically caps its energy consumption during peak periods.

Some energy companies, including Queensland-based Energex and Ergon, also pay incentives to customers who buy DRED-enabled air conditioners. Consider installation costs and requirements when you're shopping around. Here are some things to remember: Most traders offer supply and install packages, and some installation only. Installation must be done by a licensed air conditioner installer, due to the ozone-depleting refrigerant gas handling that's required. Look for an installer with ARCtick approval, and get a few quotes. Cool air is heavier than warm air. So, for optimum cooling, the air outlet should be installed as close to the ceiling as possible, with the louvres pointing horizontally or upward. For heating, point the louvres downwards. It's generally better to install an air conditioner on a longer wall of a room, 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 (for example, a concrete slab) or attached to a wall, using sturdy brackets.