Builder wants Bonaire I want Actron

Hi All,
This is a very good place for gathering information and also giving it.
The reverse cycle ducted thing is SO confusing.
Where I am building has no natural gas so RC is what I am going for.
The builder uses Bonaire but I have only heard negative things about them.
I asked builder to price an Actron system and they have told me it is way more expensive than
a comparable Bonaire system.
Their quote is $16500 and only 2 Zones but from what I can gather from this forum I can get an Actron
way cheaper and with more features.
My house is Approx. 31 squares single storey.
Should I leave this until after build?
Any advice greatly appreciated
Thanks

the price will seem more expensive naturally as one is only a heater and the other does both.
I would also consider something like a Fujitsu or even a Mitsubishi heavy industries.

I think by the way you are talking about it all, the builder wants to use a certain aircon coz they get a good price for it, use it all the time and won't want to use another kind. Any price the builder suggests for the one they don't usually use will be marked up and cost more anyway, so just leave it out and get it put in after the build.

Thanks for your replies.
I think I will leave it out and do it after build although of course the builder
does not recommend it be done this way,but lots of people do.
Cheers

Just make sure you get the ducting in if it's a 2 storey.

A Bonaire Ducted RC and and Actron are worlds apart from each other. If the Bonaire system is something such as a BO18HD it is a basic fixed speed system. They have some new units outr that are inverters, but even then nothing compares to an Actron which are in my opinion the best systems on the market. Bonaire are a cheap no thrills aircon, they are pretty good though, Actron are a Rolls Royce of AC.

If there is only 2 zones there is something wrong too, when I size up an average single storey 4x2 home over here in Perth I have usually between 6 and 8 zones. 2 zones is stupid and not flexible at all, and will mean your system runs flat out all the time.

I would suggest, go to a airconditioning company, dont go through your builder, they dont care what goes in as long as they make a dollar. Go for a compnay with a good reputation and who has alot fo experience, dont just go for the cheapest. If a system is not installed or designed right, it will not work right, cost you a fortune in power costs and you will end up having to rip it out and start again. (This happens alot, I pull out alot of aircons and put in new ones because they where not sized and designed right). $16500 is a rip of for any BOnaire system too and I am in Perth and stuff is alot more expensive over here.

Thanks for those suggestions,but this is getting more interesting.
The builder said that it has to be installed during construction,because it is a big unit that has to go in the roof.
They have got me a price on Actron Ultima SRM 190 18.9KW
$25000.
The house is 32SQ and single storey.

no you dont, remove the tiles and get it in after.

Ask him how come you can get it cheaper and your not a builder perhaps he made a mistaking. Make him feel like a looser.

The builder will never give you the price that he gets it for, he is the one who is putting in the legwork to get the quote and get it all organised for install, so therefore he is going to put his 40% markup on it.

Wait till the build is over and get an actron. Great system and you will get a fantastic price.

I had an Actron Air Platinum system installed 3 years ago. Mirvac homes built my home and recommended them to me during my selections process. I have since had all zone motors replaced and a capacitor for the motor burn out in my roof. The people who installed it, Marsh Air ( Marsh Airconditioning ) from Toongabbie NSW ( Castle Hill ), a company operated or owned by Ian Marsh , I believe did a poor job on installation. Some ducting came apart and had to be fixed within the first few months due to incorrect installation. 3 years later it is leaking water and has damaged my ceiling. Marsh air went into receivership within 12 months of installation and refused to do any further warranty repairs, then restarted their business under a different licence number. Mirvac Homes washed their hands of any responsibilty, and the Dept of Fair Trading could do nothing except refer me to the liquidators. Do your homework and beware of the traps.

Actron Air are the best in every way. But you can't help stupid installers.
Perhaps if the consumer was not focused on price so much and more on quality, things would be a whole lot better.

Eg. When I first started installing in 1979 homes were worth around $50,000 and ducted air conditioning cost $10-11,000 back then.
Now homes are worth $400k or more and ducted air conditioning is till the same.

Good to hear good stuff about Actron. Ive never heard of the company but my air con guy recommended it. does anyone know how much roughly it would cost for a 4x2 big house? for inverted/ducted air con?

Approx 12-15k.

thats not bad. i wonder how much the Ultima ones are? the ones where you can set each rooms temp. happy to pay a bit more if its going to save in the long run.

Depending upon number of outlets, zones, sensors, etc we charge around $20k for a 23kW Ultima... expect to pay a little more over in WA...

Well, my Actron system works well - when it works. Since installation in December last year it has been out of action more often than not (no gas). Had the installers here for the 4th time today to fix it again. This is the last time though, next time I am going to insist that the unit is replaced, I don't want it repaired any more.

No gas so quick is almost always an installation issue... Have you taken this up with Actron themselves yet...? If not I would, since they may bite the bullet for you and fix it themselves...

We have been quoted on a 17.7KW Cooling and 18KW heating Actron ESP Plus.

Our house is 400sqm and the price were quoted for eight zones is $15,500.

Thanks Miss Vintage,
that sounds good! can i ask who you went through?

Love to hear more about it... if you don't mind to share, as I'm on same boat... we plan to build 31 squares single storey homes...