Does the kW of a split system affect their energy efficiency?

Buying an air conditioning unit can open up a whole can of worms when you start exploring all, of the ins and outs of features, energy efficiency, servicing, pricing, models and much more.

One of the areas you might not be the most up to speed with is the kilowatt size of the system and how best to choose your unit to ensure the kW you select for your split system is the most energy efficient for your needs.
The kilowatt output of your split system air conditioner is something that many don’t consider on the list of priorities, however, if you select a split system air conditioner that is too small or large, you could wind up spending more on the running of your system if the unit ends up not being energy efficient.

In this article, we explore the ideal size of a system based on the floor space of your property, energy efficiency ratings and how to select the right split system to meet your property requirements.

Options and sizes of split system based in kilowatts

When you jump into the market to buy a split system air conditioning unit energy efficiency will wind up being a common thread in the decision-making process as well as ensuring you have the right size system to offer the heating and cooling benefits you need.

If you have decided on a split system air conditioner to ensure your system is efficient, you will need to focus on the power output of the system, as this will provide an insight into the cost of running the system for you or your tenants.

While the cost of the unit might be a consideration, the ongoing costs should be a focus. If the unit is cheap to buy but expensive and inefficient energy-wise you will end up spending way more in the long run than you bargained for.

As a basic overview, the capacity of a split system air conditioning unit is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) and the output power of the split system is measured in kW. Energy efficiency of an air conditioning unit is measured based on a star system that is promoted throughout Australia for appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, TV’s, air conditioning units and many other items. The star system rating based on stars means the more stars, the more efficient.

For air conditioning, the basic rule is that the system will need at least 80 watts of power per square meter to run properly and heat or cool the room efficiency. For reverse cycle air conditioning which is used in split systems, the value is measured for both heating and cooling capacity.

A basic overview of the kilowatt capacity of split system air conditioning units is outlined below. While it is an average, it’s a good guide to provide insight into what system suits your needs.

– 2.8kW – 20 sqm
– 4.2kW – 30 sqm
– 5.6kW – 40 sqm
– 7.0kW – 50 sqm
– 8.4kW – 60 sqm

Often some of the leading brands of air conditioning in the split system market have special features that allow the unit to provide intelligent energy efficiency to users, allowing for a lower overall running cost.

Features energy efficient split system air conditioning systems can offer users include:

– The ability to detect absence in a room and adjust air conditioning levels accordingly
– Detect sunlight and adjust the heating and cooling based on sunlight coming into the space
– Allow for rhythmic temperature waves within the space
– Scan the area and direct air flow where it is required and where you are seated
– Adapt intelligently based on your daily activities

Some of the bigger brands such as Panasonic will offer plenty of energy efficient features and if you are in the market for a system that offers loads of benefits it is worth speaking to an expert air conditioning professional to work through the wide range of brands that are available in Australia that offer energy efficiency as their prime feature.

Is it worth buying an energy efficiency air conditioner?

If you are keen to get an energy efficient air conditioning system, it is important to be aware that some systems are more costly to start with due to the features and then will have a lower cost to run over time. While many people will avoid paying more to start with for an energy efficient air conditioner, over the life of the appliance they will wind up paying far more in running costs which defeats the purpose entirely.

If you are looking to decide whether to invest in an energy efficient air conditioning unit for your home or office, you might look to compare two systems one with energy efficient 5-star rating and one with a lower rating to determine which system meets your needs more effectively.

To do this, you will need to calculate the following:

– Purchase price
– Cooling power input in kW
– Energy usage each day
– Energy used over a set amount of days or months based on kW
– Running cost over ten years
– Total cost of ownership

This calculation will provide a clear overview of whether the system you are looking to buy is energy efficient and suitable for your needs.

Guide to energy efficiency

The size of your split system air conditioning unit inevitably will affect the energy efficiency, so if you are looking at air conditioning units, it is important to understand the ins and outs of energy efficiency ratings and the right size of the system for your needs.

Energy efficient star ratings are developed to provide a quick guide for consumers of energy efficiency for appliances including air conditioning units. Scored out of 6 stars for cooling and six stars for heating with a bonus four stars for super efficiency rating for cooling, the rating system offers a system of monitoring comparable models on the Australian market to ensure you are getting the best deal for your money and needs.

The stars provide a way to simply identify the energy consumption of products that perform and similar task to allow consumers to make an informed decision. For air conditioning units the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) for cooling is measured, and the Coefficient of Performance (COP) is measured for heating.

All ratings for systems are comparative based on other similar units, which means in the Australian energy rating system if you are comparing a 7kW system for energy efficiency only similar size systems will be analysed in the energy rating analysis.

At the end of the day, the energy efficiency is all based on having the correct size unit for the space, by having a small unit to try to be as energy efficient as possible will actually defeat the purpose as the system will need to run at much higher levels of output to get a result.

When you are looking to buy a split system air conditioning unit size does matter so you should keep the following elements in mind when shopping around for an energy efficient model:

– Size of the room and the ceiling height
– External wall materials and whether the room has insulation
– The needs of the property, will it be run 24/7 or will it be during office hours only
– The environment and location
– How many windows are in the property and the orientation

Undersized units will have to work harder to heat and cool the space, and you may not be able to reach the temperature or climate you require, so it is important to keep all of the above factors in mind when purchasing your split system air conditioning unit. Likewise, larger systems that are oversized for the needs of the space will be less energy efficiency and will probably have a higher upfront cost which will mean over the life of the split system air conditioning unit you will be paying a lot more than needed.

If you are looking to install a split system unit for a big room or any size room for that matter, engage a professional air conditioning expert to ensure you are getting the best system for your needs. A professional air conditioning specialist can provide the information you require to ensure you are choosing the right size system for your needs that will reach optimum energy efficiency levels. Rite Price Heating & Cooling offer a wide range of split systems for all properties and can advise on the perfect system for you to run in winter and summer. We offer systems that are perfect for your space and can also arrange installation and service as required.

If you need to ensure your space is properly heated or cooled for your property in Adelaide and you want a system that is energy efficient, speak with the professional air conditioning experts from Rite Price and arrange an obligation-free onsite quote to discuss the best size system for your needs. For more information contact the team from Rite Price Heating & Cooling today.