I'm originally a POM so was not brought up to understand A/C but after reading quite a few threads and in discussions with hubby we've decided to install a fully ducted reverse cycle system in our new house. But despite all the research I'm still not sure what I should be speccing to a supplier and I hate to look ill-informed because I always think that sets me up for too many $$$.

We are building a 260 sqm 3-bed + study single storey house on the Sunshine Coast (Noosa end) (plans in my main thread - link in signature). There are just the two of us so beds 2 & 3 are only used occasionally but the open plan living/dining/kitchen, study and main bedroom will of course be used a lot.

We really hope that we won't have to use the a/c very much - design allows for lots of cross breezes etc, so it's just a big insurance factor for us because we hate to be too hot, especially at night. Also, hubby hates to be cold and as we haven't experienced what cold means up on the Sunshine Coast, we also want the safety blanket of reverse cycle.

The main thing I would like to understand is what manufacturers / systems to steer clear of, what are good middle of the road systems and what would be considered a Rolls Royce system. Also, what size system should we be looking at?

Any and all help will be very gratefully received,
Thanks,
Ruth

If you want to be able to cool the entire home at once you are looking at approx 15kw's of load in conditioned areas, which will more than likely be your ceiling due to power restictions if you are only on single phase power. Depending on how you will want to use the system you could certainly get away with a smaller system, around 12kw's by zoning off the 2 unused beds, bed 1 and the study. If you do this you will prob have to keep the living area as a common zone. Good brands to look at include Daikin and Fujitsu.

Hi James,

Thanks, that really helps.

In reality I think we are unlikely to have more than 2 zones on at any time and in most cases probably only 1 zone at a time. We definitely don't want to go to the expense of anything more than single phase power.

If we have the living area as the common zone does it mean we always have to have it on, even say at night when we only want the main bedroom cooled or on days where we don't really need a/c at all. This is the bit I don't understand about a common zone.

Thanks,
Ruth

Yes that is the jist of a common zone. You can avoid having a common zone by more evenly seperating the zones, in your case probably grouping the study and 3 beds together and the living area together. That would allow you to have either zone on - or all together. If you have the system running and only pushing air out of one outlet (such as the master bed) it will become very noisy and overbearing. Depending on the size of the unit, you need to ensure that at least 3 outlets are running at any one time. As your living area is open plan, you have to have the entire area as a zone.

You might want to check out this YouTube vid from Actron Air. Looks like a perfect system for your scenario. Actron Air are Australian Made and have a 18kW single phase unit if you need it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whT4ooaS ... plpp_video

Actron Air are the only system that can do this and save up to 61% in running costs when down to minimum zone. No continuous zone required to dump air.

Fridgy

Thanks for the info. At the moment I think we're going to go with a Fujitsu 14kw system with 4 zones. The kitchen will be the common zone and then a separate zone for the living / dining, master bed, study and Beds 2/3. The ducting, vents etc will be from AdvantageAir. The only add-on will be a slave controller in the master bedroom.

Hoping this proves to be a good quality but not rolls Royce solution for us. Best Quote for this was $11,335.

Going to suggest Actron - we have installed one in our new build and can't fault it. I can run one zone (usually the clinic 3x6m room), it is silent inside, no rushing of air.

We researched all the brands and Actron was the only one that could function without a dedicated/constant zone.

ETA: other bonus is the outdoor unit is very compact and very quiet.

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Sent from my mobile device so please excuse my typing missed cakes.

No-one we have contacted has quoted on Actron. However we've just had a quote in which has got us thinking again.

Daikin 12.5kw for $9455

Mitsubishi 12.5kw $8875

LG 12.3kw $8685.

Now more confused than ever. Don't know whether we need 12.5kw or 14kw and don't know which manufacturer to choose.

Any advice?

Thanks,
Ruth

+1 for Actron, especially if you can afford the Ultima ESP. Brilliant system. Had an 18Kw Ultima for 3 years and it's been totally flawless. But they are more expensive than most.



You could try Airmark Air Conditioning, 5446 8814. They're at Yandina and they do a terrific job.

www.airmarkairconditioning.com.au

Adelaide's a bit far - we're on the Sunshine Coast!

Anyway, we have gone for the Daikin unit in the end, with the all-in one controller.

Trusses are going up today so won't be long now

Ruth