Expert Split System installation and repairs in Geelong, Ballarat & Melbourne's West
Stay warm in winter and cool in summer with an energy-efficient wall mounted Split System Air Conditioner.
Martin Heating & Cooling are your local Split System experts. Our qualified staff service, repair and install Split Systems in Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne’s West.
Don’t risk a dodgy install, get the right system for your home at the right price. We only work with the best brands – check out our comparison guide to find which air conditioner is right for you.
Need advice? Call 1300 146 525 and talk to one of our qualified tradespeople, or fill in our online enquiry form.
Why install Split System Air Conditioning?
In terms of installation and running costs, Split System Air Conditioners are the most cost effective way to heat and cool a room.
They are available in various sizes to suit all rooms – from mini 2.5kw split systems suitable for a bedroom or study, to large 8 or 9kw systems designed for open plan living areas.
As they are reverse cycle, those who Install a wall-mounted Split System Air Conditioner enjoy energy-efficient electric heating and cooling year-round.
They can serve as your primary heating and cooling unit, or compliment other systems for added comfort.
Split System Air Conditioning FAQs
We answer your most frequently asked questions, including what are the best Split System brands, what size you need, and why they are so energy efficient.
Split Systems get their name as they are ‘split’ into 2 parts – an indoor and an outdoor unit.
To both heat and cool, Split Systems use energy-efficient refrigerant technology.
On a basic level, the process involves a refrigerant which circulates through the system, turning from a liquid into a gas and back again.
When using cooling mode, the indoor unit draws in warm air from inside the room which is then passed over refrigerant coils. The refrigerant coils absorb the heat and the cooled air is distributed back into the room. When using heating mode, that process is reversed.
There are 3 different air conditioning functions you can use – heating, cooling or just fan. There are cooling-only split systems on the market, but they are generally not installed in Victoria.
Ductless Air Conditioning
Split System ACs don’t require ducts to be installed.
The indoor unit, or ‘head’ is attached to a wall inside your house and provides heating and cooling to the room they are installed in. The outdoor unit, or compressor is located outside your house, connected to the indoor unit via small copper pipes.
There are a few reasons why Split System Air Conditioners are so energy efficient, including:
- Inverter compressors
- Refrigerant technology
- Modern features
Inverter Split Systems
Inverter technology is a major advancement in modern air conditioning. It has improved energy efficiency and noise levels compared to older fixed-speed models.
In fixed-speed models, the outdoor compressor runs at full speed, then turns off when it’s reaches set temperature. Then switches on again when the temperature in the room increases/decreases.
Inverter compressors have a variable speed fan. So they will ramp up and down slowly, using only as much power as required. This makes them more energy efficient than fixed speed. And quieter as the fan isn’t constantly running at full speed.
All Split System air conditioners we supply and install feature energy efficient inverter technology.
Refrigerant technology
Refrigerant “moves” hot and cold air around, rather than generating it, which is much more energy efficient.
Modern features
Some features, such as motion sensors, are designed to save on energy consumption.
Motion sensors detect movement in the room, and if no one has been in the room for a while, will run at a reduced capacity.
We don’t just install split systems — we also service and repair them. This hands-on experience gives us valuable insight into which units deliver the best performance, reliability and value over time.
That’s why we only recommend systems that we trust to offer quality, value and long-lasting comfort for our customers.
What we consider the best Split System brands are Fujitsu, ActronAir, Daikin, Rinnai and Mitsubishi Electric.
While they are all reliable and suitable for Victorian weather, features vary between brands and models.
So for your convenience, we have put together a Brand Comparison Chart, so you can compare features and find your perfect Split System.
The quickest and cheapest option is to install the outdoor unit directly on the other side of the wall to the indoor unit, as additional pipework is not required. However, this is not always possible, especially if the indoor unit is on an internal wall.
The outdoor unit can either sit directly on the ground on a concrete pad or pavers or attached to the wall with brackets. Less commonly, it can be installed on top of a roof.
Our staff will be able to assess the most suitable location for your outdoor unit.
Multi Splits are a great option if you want multiple rooms air conditioned, but your house design doesn’t allow for the installation of a ducted system. For example, townhouses with no roof cavity for ducts.
They use 1 outdoor compressor unit to run multiple indoor heads.
Although Multi Splits operate in the same way as regular Split Systems, they differ in two main ways:
- The one outdoor unit can run multiple indoor units
- The indoor units come in various designs
Outdoor unit sizes
Multi Split system outdoor units come in a range of sizes, most commonly from 7.5kw to 12kw.
How many indoor units can be connected to them varies depending on the brand and model, but it’s usually 3-5 indoor units.
In determining what size outdoor unit you need, you first need to consider how many rooms you want air conditioned and the size of the rooms.
For example, if you have 3 small rooms which require a 2.5kw air conditioner, you will need at least a 7.5kw outdoor unit to run them (3x 2.5kw).
Indoor unit designs
The indoor units can be:
- Regular wall-hung split system indoor units
- Slimline grills (dependent on your house design)
- Multi-directional ceiling cassettes
- Floor consoles
More info
Find out more – visit our Multi-Split System page.
Wall mounted Split Systems come in a range of sizes from 2kw to 9kw.
Our room size chart below can give you an idea of what size you need. But our technicians will always verify your house’s details to ensure you are getting the correct sized unit, as there are other factors to consider, such as house orientation and ceiling height.
Best Split System for a bedroom
2 and 2.5kw are the smallest sized Split System, considered a “mini split”, suited to small bedroom or study.
3.5kw is considered a small-to-medium size, suitable for a large bedroom with an ensuite.
Best Split System for a lounge room
5kw and 6kw are suited to medium-to-large sized rooms, such as a lounge room.
Best Split System for a large open plan area
7kw, 8kw and 9kws are best for large open plan areas.
Sizes can slightly vary between brands, for example, not all brands offer a 2kw or 9kw – see our Brand Comparison Chart.
The importance of getting the size correct
It’s important to get your Split System professionally sized, along with a fully-inclusive installation quote, so there are no surprises later on…
If you get a unit which too big, it can heat or cool your room quickly then turn off. Then turn back on when the room temperature rises or falls again. This on/off cycling draws extra power than a properly size air conditioner would.
If you get a unit which is too small, it will constantly be trying to reach desired temperature which can cause the outdoor compressor to constantly run at a high level, which will utilize more power. It may also not effectively heat or cool your room.
All of our quotes include your choice of split system – correctly sized, plus all parts and labour required for the installation.
Split System Size Chart
Get an idea of what size Split System you need with our room size chart, or contact us for personalised advice.
Standard & Optional Features
There are many features for Split Systems available, such as WIFI control and motion sensors. They vary between brands and models, so let us know what ones you are interested in, or see our brand comparison chart below to find your ideal Split System.
As standard, Split System Air Conditioners we supply and install include:
- Reverse cycle – for heating and cooling
- Inverter technology – reduces noise and running costs
- Remote control – adjust temperature, fan speed, mode, on/off timer
- 3D airflow – fan blades move both horizontally and vertically
- Dry / Dehumidifying mode – remove moisture from the air
All Split System allow you to set an on/off time, for example if you can set it to turn off 2 hours after you go to bed.
But a programmable weekly timer allows you to schedule multiple on/off times across the week to repeat automatically.
Motion sensors, also known as proximity sensors, are designed to save on running costs, but checking for movement in the room.
If there hasn’t been movement for a certain amount of time (eg 30mins), it will run at a reduced capacity in order to save on energy.
Turbo function boosts the fan, allowing you to heat or cool your room faster.
Some split systems come with “quite mode” which can reduce the noise of both the indoor and outdoor units by reducing the fan speeds.
This is handy feature, especially if the air conditioner is installed in a bedroom.
If having a quiet split system is important to you, please let us know as some models are quieter than others, even without quiet mode.
Economy Mode or Eco Mode, is designed to save on energy consumption. How it works can vary slightly between manufacturers, but generally, it achieves this by limiting compressor output and reducing fan speed.
However, the best way to see how economic a Split System is, is to look at the energy star-rating.
Split System Brand Comparison Chart
We supply and install only the best brand Split Systems, including Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, ActronAir, Rinnai and Daikin.
Compare features to find your perfect air conditioner. Or for personalised advice, call 1300 146 525 or fill in our online enquiry form anytime.
Split System Costs & Rebates
Get an idea on running costs, how much it costs to install a reverse cycle Split System, and learn about Victorian Government Energy Upgrade rebates.
The cost to supply and install a Split System Air Conditioner vary depending on a few factors.
Split System price variables
- Brand and model
- Air conditioner size (KW)
- If you qualify for the Victorian Government rebate scheme
- The complexity of the install – a straight-forward install involves the indoor unit on one side of the wall, and the outdoor unit on the other side. A more complicated install would be if they outdoor unit was a long way away from the indoor unit, or needed to be installed on top of a roof.
Cost to supply and install
To give you an idea of price, straight-forward installation of a brand new Rinnai PB series 2.5kw Split System with WIFI starts from $2,535 including all parts and labour.
If you qualify for a Government rebates, it would be cheaper still.
Contact us on 1300 146 525 or via our enquiry form for your personalised quote.
There are currently Government Rebates available under the Victorian Energy Upgrade Scheme (VEU) for those who remove their Gas Heater and install a reverse cycle air conditioner, such as a wall-mounted split system.
Rebate amounts vary depending on:
- What type of gas heater you are replacing (ducted or room heater)
- What you are replacing it with (ducted air conditioner, multi split system or wall split system)
- Size (in KW) of the new unit
- Your location / postcode
It’s also important to note: only brands and models which meet certain criteria are approved for use under the scheme. So let us know if you are interested in claiming the rebate and we can give you some approved options.
Both the removal and install must be done by a licensed company such as Martin Heating & Cooling. We will comply with all conditions of the scheme, submit evidence of the conditions being met and apply for the rebate on your behalf, so their is nothing you need to do!
The running costs of your Split System will depend on various factors including:
- Your room size
- The air conditioners’ star rating – the higher the star rating, the lower the running costs (note there are separate ratings for heating and cooling)
- Your electricity tariff
- How well insulated your room is – remember window coverings are important for insulation!
Check out our Selection guides to get an idea of running costs and compare hourly running costs with other forms of heating and cooling.
What our customers are saying…
Split System Air Conditioning in Geelong, Ballarat & Melbourne's West
At Martin Heating & Cooling, we provide installation, servicing and repairs across Geelong, Ballarat and the western half of Melbourne.
Geelong – Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Lara
Ballarat – Buninyong, Sebastapol, Wendouree
Melbourne’s West – Werribee, Point Cook, Tarneit, Williamstown, Braybrook, Keilor, Craigieburn, Caroline Springs, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury
