What is a Split System Air Conditioner?
Split system air conditioners are among the most popular cooling systems in Australia, consisting of at least one indoor and one outdoor unit connected through a wall. They are versatile, energy-efficient, and easier to install and maintain than more complex systems. Offering a balance of cost and performance, they are ideal for many homes and businesses.
Before choosing a split system, it is important to consider factors such as running costs, maintenance, and space requirements. This article will explain how split systems work, their pros and cons, and what to keep in mind when selecting one.
How Split Systems Work
Split systems includes an outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit. These are connected by several tubes, including a refrigerant line, a drain hose for water, and an electrical wiring line, which pass through the wall of your home. Understanding how the indoor and outdoor units work can help you determine if a split system AC is the right choice for you.
Indoor Unit
The indoor unit of a split system AC, also known as the evaporator, can be mounted high on an interior wall (most common) or on the ceiling. It draws in air from the room, passing it over an evaporator coil to cool it before circulating it back into the space. This unit also helps dehumidify and filter the air.
As the air cools, moisture in it condenses on the evaporator coil and drains out of your home through a condensate line. The coil cools the air using a refrigerant, which absorbs heat and turns into a vapour. This vapour then travels to the outdoor unit via the refrigerant line to be cooled again.
Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit of a split system AC, known as the condenser unit, houses key components, including the compressor. After the refrigerant absorbs heat indoors and turns into a vapour, it is sent to the condenser, where it is cooled and returned to a liquid state.
The compressor then pumps the liquid refrigerant back to the indoor unit, adjusting its speed as needed to regulate the temperature. The condenser unit also contains the expansion valve, which controls the flow of refrigerant through the system, helping to ensure efficient cooling.
Types of Split System Air Conditioners
Split system air conditioners come in various types, each suited to different spaces and cooling needs.
Wall-Mounted Split
Systems
The most common type, wall-mounted units are installed high on a wall. They are cost-effective, easy to install, and ideal for cooling single rooms in homes, offices, and small commercial spaces.
Cassette Split
Systems
Installed in the ceiling, cassette units provide discreet cooling with even air distribution in all directions. They are ideal for larger spaces like offices, restaurants, and shops but require sufficient ceiling space.
Ducted Split Systems
Ducted systems have a concealed indoor unit that distributes air through ducts to multiple rooms. They offer seamless, uniform cooling but require professional installation and are more expensive.
Multi-Split Systems
Multi-split systems connect multiple indoor units to a single outdoor unit, allowing individual temperature control for different rooms. They are space-efficient and versatile, supporting wall-mounted, cassette, and ducted units.
Each system has its benefits, so choosing the right one depends on your space, budget, and cooling needs.
Benefits of Split System Air Conditioners
Split system air conditioners are a top choice in Australian homes due to their balance of affordability, performance, and versatile features.
Cost Effective
While not the cheapest option, split systems are more affordable than other AC types with similar capacities. They also have lower maintenance requirements than complex systems like ducted AC, keeping long-term costs down. Their energy efficiency can help reduce power bills, making them a cost-effective cooling solution.
Flexible Installation
Split system ACs are easy for technicians to install, requiring just one indoor and one outdoor unit with minimal home alterations. They suit various room types and can typically be installed and operational within hours of delivery.
Energy Efficiency
Modern split system air conditioners are equipped with a range of modes and features to help make them less wasteful in terms of energy consumption (and better for your wallet). Samsung air conditioners, for example, feature modes like AI Energy Mode and AI Auto Cooling, which use AI to monitor room conditions and user habits to adjust to more optimal temperatures throughout a cycle. Click here to learn more about energy efficiency.
Design Benefits
Finally, split systems are unobtrusive additions to your home, and only take up a small amount of wall space. Other AC solutions- like window, portable, or floor-mount units- can take up room and look unappealing. Plus, other AC types can create more noticeable noise, making split system ACs a great choice for stylish, quiet home heating and cooling.
Potential Downsides
While split systems are versatile, affordable, and energy efficient, there are a few potential drawbacks that are worth considering if you are choosing an air con system for your home.
Capacity
Split systems come in a range of capacity options, with some models capable of heating spaces up to 85m², but they have less capacity options than other AC systems. While systems like central air conditioning can heat entire homes from a single central unit, split systems are limited by their size and need to be close to the outdoor condenser unit to function properly.
Spacing
Split systems have spacing requirements that may make them inappropriate for some home types. As they need to be installed through a wall, split systems aren’t always ideal for apartment buildings, which have limited outdoor space. Some can be installed with the condenser unit located on a balcony, but this isn’t possible for all apartments.
Some Maintenance
While these systems are often easier to repair than other, more complex systems, split system ACs require regular maintenance to run at optimal performance. This maintenance mainly involves cleaning and replacing filters, checking drain lines regularly, and scheduling maintenance with a technician at least once a year.
Best Uses for Split System Air Conditioners
Split system ACs are ideal for heating and cooling small to mid-sized rooms, such as bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and office spaces. Larger capacity models suit open-plan areas, studio apartments, or one-bedroom units with limited space. They are also a great option for separate areas like sheds or granny flats, where connecting to an existing home system isn’t possible.
Designed for Australian climates, their reverse-cycle functionality efficiently handles both extreme heat and humidity, as well as cooler winter temperatures.
Despite their versatility, other AC systems may work better for your home. If you have a large house, with multiple stories and rooms to air condition, a ducted air conditioning system may work more efficiently. Also, due to their spacing requirements, split systems aren’t always the best option for apartments.
Installation & Maintenance
Installing a split system AC involves setting up both indoor and outdoor units safely and correctly. To ensure your AC system’s warranty is protected, Samsung strongly recommends that your AC system is installed by a professional licensed installer. These experts have the necessary knowledge of electrical and plumbing requirements, ensuring a safe and efficient setup. Professional installation also helps protect your warranty and gives you confidence in the system’s performance.
Installing a split system AC involves mounting the indoor unit to your wall, setting up the outdoor condenser unit, running all lines from the indoor to the outdoor unit through a hole in the wall, connecting to a power source, and checking that everything is in working order. If you are professionally installing your new split system AC, here are a few tips to consider -
Tip #1
Plan with Your Technician
Make sure your installer has all the details they need to help you on delivery day, including build details and even photographs of your space.
Tip #2
Plan for Time
Installation can take hours or days, depending on the complexity of your home and number of units being installed, so make sure you plan ahead.
Tip #3
Prepare your Indoor Space
Consider where the unit will be installed, and take time to move any furniture or decorations out of the way.
Tip #4
Prepare your Outdoor Space
Clear some room for your technician to install your outdoor unit, and make sure it can be accessed easily.
Once your unit is installed, you’ll need to undertake regular maintenance to keep things running smoothly.
Here are a few parts of your unit that you should keep an eye on -
Filters
These need to be cleaned regularly with a brush or vacuum, and need to be replaced every few months or years, depending on your model.
Condensate Tube and Drain
This can get blocked over time, so keep an eye on it during regular maintenance and clean it safely if you can, or find a technician if you need help.
For more details on how to clean your unit, check your user manual or contact your manufacturer. Your unit will also need maintenance to keep the inner components in working order - this will need to be done by a suitably qualified technician, and should be done about once a year.
Final Thoughts
Split system air conditioners are a versatile and affordable cooling solution, suitable for various home types. They are easy to install, connect to existing systems, and require minimal maintenance. Whether you're cooling a small studio, an open-plan living area, or even an outdoor shed, split system ACs provide reliable comfort for a wide range of spaces.
Learn more about your air conditioning options, like what size air conditioner will work best for you, or take a look at the range of split system air conditioners.. You can also find more air conditioner information, Live Chat for specific issues, and find a qualified technician near you with Samsung Support.
