What and How Does Split Air Conditioning Work
What and How Does Split Air Conditioning Work
If you’re searching to buy a new split system air conditioner for your home or office, you may have noticed there are alot of different types of split systems available in the market, designed to do pretty similar things. But how do you know what split air conditioning system is correct for your living space?
In this post we cover everything about split air conditioning in detail including what split system air conditioners, their pros and cons, how they work, and what size unit you need.
What is a Split System Air Conditioner?
As the name describes, a split system AC is made up of two split units or parts – one unit (known as indoor unit) placed inside the room you want to cool, and the other outdoor unit (called a compressor) placed outside. The indoor part blows cool air into the room, and the outdoor part pushes the heat gathered from the inside unit to outside.
These two parts are connected by pipes, so there’s no need for big air ducts around your house. Split systems are a great choice if you want to cool just one room easily and efficiently.
This type of air conditioner uses simple pipes to join the inside and outside units. You don’t need to install big air pipes (ducts) around your home. In short, a split system is a great way to cool one room easily, quickly, and with less hassle.
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Pros and Cons of Split Systems
Split system air conditioners are the most popular air conditioning units in Australia. However, there are some disadvantages of split systems, especially for larger homes with open plan layouts.
How does a split system air conditioner work?
A split system air conditioner works by pumping refrigerant gas through the unit’s cooling circuit. As the gas pumps through the condenser, it cools down and vaporises into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is then pushed into the evaporator, expanding and changing back into a gas. As the gas rapidly expands, the temperature drops dramatically. The gas then passes back to the condenser to repeat the process.
Air from the room is drawn into the unit and passes over the evaporator coils, which cools the air. The cooled air is blown back into the room. The air continues to circulate until the desired temperature (set by the thermostat) is reached. When the desired temperature is reached, the unit shuts down automatically.
Let Powerband Electrical handle your split system setup.
Do split systems heat and cool?
There are reverse cycle split system air conditioners, which provide heating and cooling from the same unit.
For cooling, the unit draws in the hot air and cools it, before pumping it back into the room. On the reverse cycle, the unit draws in ambient air and heats it before pumping it back into the room.
The refrigerant travels through the system’s chambers before flowing to the condenser. Once the refrigerant is compressed, it begins to warm. Once heated to the desired temperature, it will flow through to warm the inside of your home.
Read more about the heating benefits of reverse cycle air conditioning here.
What size split system do I need?
Choosing the right size air conditioner is extremely important to maximise performance and minimise running costs. Air conditioners that are too big will use more energy, while air conditioners that are too small will not cool the room sufficiently.
The four biggest things that impact the size of the split system you need include:
- Room size.
- Insulation.
- Location.
- Orientation.
1. Room size
Floor space and total volume of the room are one of the most important factors in determining the size of the air conditioner you will need. Rooms with higher ceilings will require more energy to cool.
Generally speaking, the following applies:
- A 10m2 to 20m2 room will need a 2.6kW unit.
- A 20m2 to 30m2 room will need a 3.5kW unit.
- A 30m2 to 45m2 room will need a 5-6kW unit.
- A 45m2 to 65m2 room will need a 7-8kW unit.
However, it’s always a good idea to seek expert advice before making a decision.
2. Insulation
Ceiling insulation is one of the biggest factors in making your home thermally efficient. High quality insulation will help retain the cold air, helping your air conditioner run more efficiently and cost-effectively.
3. Location
Australia’s climate is so diverse. If you live in Darwin, you will need a much more powerful air conditioner compared to Hobart.
While we don’t get freezing cold or boiling hot temperatures here in Newcastle, we recommend reverse cycle split system air conditioners to provide you with ultimate comfort all year round.
4. Orientation
Which way does the room face? A large north or west-facing window can let in a lot of heat in summer, whereas a shaded, south-facing window will be a lot cooler.
How much to install a split system air conditioner?
Split system air conditioners require installation by licensed professionals to safely handle gas refrigerant, conduct electrical wiring and plumbing into your home’s stormwater system.
The outdoor unit is fitted on the exterior wall of the room that requires cooling. The indoor unit is then mounted on the wall in the room. Generally speaking, it’s better to install the air conditioner on a long wall of the room and not directly above a window.
Installing a split system air conditioner usually takes about half a day. NewAge Air offers split system supply and installation from $1721. Read more in our post, Air Conditioner Installation Cost.
How to clean a split system air conditioner
You should clean your air conditioner twice a year. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help the unit run more efficiently and prevent costly repairs.
Before you clean any part of your split system air conditioner, make sure it’s completely turned off.
The Indoor Unit
The indoor unit has dust filters that need regular cleaning. The more you use the air conditioner, the more often you will need to clean the filters. When the dust filters get clogged, the air conditioner has to work harder to push cool air through it, resulting in higher running costs.
To clean the dust filters, simply pop open the plastic cover and remove the filters. Take them outside and give them a good brush or shake, or vacuum with the dusting brush head. If the dust filters are really dirty, you can wash them in warm soapy water. Just make sure they are completely dry before putting them back in the air conditioning unit.
You may also be able to remove the louvres (blades) inside the air conditioner. If so, clean them and the space behind them inside the unit thoroughly with a cloth or vacuum cleaner.
The Outdoor Unit
Keep the outdoor unit clear of grass and plants and brush away dust, leaves and cobwebs regularly.
You can run a vacuum cleaner over the air intake to help clear dust from the outside. But, leave cleaning the internal components to the professionals.
You find out more tips and tricks in our post, How To Clean Your Air Conditioner.
Closing
Split system air conditioners are the most cost-effective and versatile home air conditioning systems. No wonder they are the most popular air conditioning systems in Australia! If you’re looking to buy a new air conditioner, call our air conditioning specialists for expert advice and check out our range of split system air conditioners here.
FAQs
Not if you choose the right unit! Modern split systems are highly energy-efficient—especially inverter models. In fact, they often reduce power bills compared to older ducted or portable units. Powerband Electrical helps you select and install systems that suit your home and budget.
Split systems are perfect for zoned comfort—cooling or heating the rooms you use most. For larger homes, you can install multiple units or opt for a multi-head system. We’ll help you find the most efficient layout for your space.
Most modern units are whisper-quiet indoors and much quieter outdoors than older models. We install systems with low noise ratings and help position outdoor units to minimise impact on you—and your neighbours.
Yes! Reverse-cycle split systems are designed to work efficiently in both hot summers and cold winters, even during sudden temperature swings. We recommend brands and models tested for Australian conditions.
Not with us. Powerband Electrical provides fast, clean installation, usually in just a few hours. We minimise wall cutting, clean up thoroughly, and leave your home just as we found it—only more comfortable.