Guides and answers before you buy

Capacity is usually the first decision when you choose a split system, and it is also the one most often made too quickly. A unit that is too small runs constantly and never settles. A unit that is far too large cools quickly but leaves the room feeling damp and wastes power.

Start with floor area, then adjust. Count the square metres of the room, add for a ceiling above the standard height, and add again for large west facing glass. Kitchens and rooms with heat producing equipment need more capacity than a bedroom of the same size.

As a working rule, the On/Off and 60Hz inverter models cover bedrooms and living rooms, the 50Hz inverter series add higher efficiency, and the T3 high ambient models are built for hot climates. When in doubt, send us the room details and we will suggest a model.

An energy label lets you compare units of the same capacity on power use. A higher class means less electricity for the same cooling output under test conditions.

The label is most useful when you compare like for like. A large unit in a high class may still draw more than a small unit in a lower class, because the workloads are different.

Decide where the indoor unit will sit before the fitter arrives. It should be high on the wall, clear of curtains, and able to throw air across the room rather than onto the people sitting under it.

Think about the outdoor unit at the same time. A shorter pipe run costs less and loses less capacity, so plan both ends together.

Most split systems are quiet on their lowest fan setting. The noise you notice at night usually comes from higher fan speeds or from the outdoor unit.

Set sleep mode before you go to bed so the fan and compressor settle on their own, and keep the outdoor unit off a shared wall where vibration can travel.

The dust filter behind the top grille does most of the work of protecting the indoor coil. Rinse it under running water every few weeks in heavy use, and let it dry fully before it goes back in.

Once a year, have the outdoor coil checked and cleaned. Dust and leaves on the coil make the unit work harder and cool less.

Export orders move faster when documentation is agreed early. Let us know the destination market so the right labels and paperwork are prepared with the units.

For volume orders, tell us which spare parts you want in the container. Compressors, controllers and filters are the most common requests.