Split systems have become the go-to choice for residential aircon in Melbourne. They consist of a wall-mounted indoor unit, an outside compressor chucked out the back, connected by copper pipes, and an inverter drive that adjusts the output on the fly. It’s no wonder they’ve taken over from those old window box units. They’re quieter, cheaper to run, and take up less space. On top of that, modern inverter-driven split systems are eligible for VEU rebates in Victoria, which makes the whole thing even more attractive. Problem is, all this popularity has led to another issue, a lot of people still think installing a split system is a simple DIY affair. Just find the cheapest one online, whack up a tradie to do the install, and Bob’s your uncle. The end result is often a mismatched capacity, dodgy wiring, under-insulated pipes, and a system that chugs along for years, seeming to work just fine.
Single-Head vs Multi-Head: Getting the Configuration Right
For the sake of simplicity, single-head systems just connect one indoor unit to one outside unit, great for a bedroom, study, or small living room. Multi-head systems, on the other hand, allow up to nine indoor units to connect to a single outside unit, each with its own temperature settings. For places like apartments or rental properties where putting in ducted aircon just isn’t an option, multi-head systems are the way to go. They’re more efficient, require less work to install than ducted, and you can set each room to a different temperature. The outside compressor is also a lot smaller than a ducted system, so it’s a win-win. Melbourne’s heritage homes in the inner suburbs present a bit of a problem. Many of these places have rules about not messing with the outside of the building, which makes it tough to find a spot for the outside unit. An experienced installer will pick up on these sorts of restrictions when he does the site assessment. He’ll identify them rather than just discovering them later down the track.
What the Installation Process Involves?
Installing a split system is more than just slapping some pipes and units together. You need to factor in the indoor unit placement, high on the wall is best. The outside unit position needs clearance; the piping run can’t have these rattling around everywhere. The electrical connection and getting the system set up and running need to be all set up and running. A proper commissioning check makes sure it’s all working right, not over or undercharged, and putting out the right temperature. Of course there are all sorts of things that can complicate an install, multi-storey homes where you need to get up high, tight apartments where the pipes have to snake around like a rat’s maze, heritage places with their fancy rules about what you can and can’t do, and any ol’ configuration that requires a long pipe run. All these sorts of things will make the install take longer and cost more. This is why quotes that haven’t got a proper site inspection are a waste of time. They’re comparing apples and oranges.
VEU Rebates: What Melbourne Homeowners Can Claim
The Victorian Energy Upgrades program is a pretty useful scheme that’s chipping in for people to get a split system installed, especially those who are swapping out their old gas heater for a reverse cycle electric system. It’s worth noting this is where the real saving comes in. Households that upgrade from a gas ducted heater to a reverse cycle multi-split system can claim a rebate of between $1,000 and $3,500. If you’re swapping a gas space heater for a split system then you can expect a rebate of anywhere from $900 to $2,000, depending on what systems you end up using. If you’re in Melbourne then you can get a rebate from the likes of EZYAIR & Total Electrics & AC. They’re both VEU accredited and can sort out all the paperwork for you, which is a big plus. Just don’t try using any old installer. Accredited ones are the only ones who can get you a rebate. Unfortunately you can’t claim the money back after the fact, so it pays to get the right installer from the start.
If you’re in the market for a new split system then you’ll want to be sure to go with one of the big brands. Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, and Panasonic are all the way out in front in Melbourne. As an added bonus, they all come with a five-year warranty for any jobs done under the VEU scheme.
Cost, Common Mistakes, and How to Evaluate Quotes
Split system installation Melbourne costs can vary wildly in Melbourne. You’re looking at anywhere from $1,800 for a simple single-head job in a one-storey house all the way up to a whopping $10,000 or more for more complex multi-head or multi-storey setups. The thing to keep in mind is that the price difference is real. It’s not just about finding the cheapest quote. A job that looks too good to be true probably is. Seems to me that most of the poor results you see in Melbourne split system installs come down to three main mistakes. Number one is choosing a unit without having a proper installation assessment first. There’s no guarantee that the unit you pick will be the right size for the job. By the time you figure this out you’ll be stuck with a unit you can’t return or exchange.
