Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Jan 28, 2012 8:54 am 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 Our Homebuilding Thread 17th Nov - 1st meeting with PJB architect 27th Feb - Signed contract 23rd Mar - Plans approved 3rd Apr - Slab laid 18th Apr - Roof On 10th May - Lock-up 26th June - Handover Re: Help - what Ducted A/C system 2Jan 28, 2012 9:09 am 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. Re: Help - what Ducted A/C system 3Jan 28, 2012 9:34 am 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 Our Homebuilding Thread 17th Nov - 1st meeting with PJB architect 27th Feb - Signed contract 23rd Mar - Plans approved 3rd Apr - Slab laid 18th Apr - Roof On 10th May - Lock-up 26th June - Handover Re: Help - what Ducted A/C system 4Jan 28, 2012 12:16 pm 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. Re: Help - what Ducted A/C system 5Feb 11, 2012 3:29 pm 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 Re: Help - what Ducted A/C system 6Feb 11, 2012 3:39 pm 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. Our Homebuilding Thread 17th Nov - 1st meeting with PJB architect 27th Feb - Signed contract 23rd Mar - Plans approved 3rd Apr - Slab laid 18th Apr - Roof On 10th May - Lock-up 26th June - Handover Help - what Ducted A/C system 7Feb 11, 2012 7:32 pm Fridgy 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 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. --------------------- Sent from my mobile device so please excuse my typing missed cakes. ~ trying to build our dream home by the sea ~ Re: Help - what Ducted A/C system 8Feb 11, 2012 8:11 pm 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 Our Homebuilding Thread 17th Nov - 1st meeting with PJB architect 27th Feb - Signed contract 23rd Mar - Plans approved 3rd Apr - Slab laid 18th Apr - Roof On 10th May - Lock-up 26th June - Handover Re: Help - what Ducted A/C system 9Feb 26, 2012 5:17 pm +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. PS4314 No-one we have contacted has quoted on Actron. You could try Airmark Air Conditioning, 5446 8814. They're at Yandina and they do a terrific job. www.airmarkairconditioning.com.au Re: Help - what Ducted A/C system 10Apr 10, 2012 11:48 am 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 Our Homebuilding Thread 17th Nov - 1st meeting with PJB architect 27th Feb - Signed contract 23rd Mar - Plans approved 3rd Apr - Slab laid 18th Apr - Roof On 10th May - Lock-up 26th June - Handover the sun master is the solar heating to "warm" the water in the tank the S26 is your hot water system which will heat the water (25 degrees?) so with both turned on you… 2 12333 Hi all, sorting out the ducted air con for a 350sqm double story house. Does this placement sound reasonable to you? Also, I plan to have 6 zones I think. Living room… 0 0 Hi all, sorting out the ducted air con for a 350sqm double story house. I think i plan to have 6 zones I think. Living room (mainly for entertainment so not used often),… 0 0 |