Choosing a reverse cycle air conditioner can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of brands available, all claiming to offer excellent performance, efficiency and reliability. Given we’re in winter, we’ll focus this article on the best brands for heating, to keep us toasty warm.
When we first started out at Powrhouse, I spoke to about a dozen different air conditioning companies. It seemed that everyone had a different (and strong) opinion on the best and worst air conditioning brands. I spoke to one company who swore that Daikin was the best brand, and then the next company said that the electronics on Daikin units was found wanting and customer service lacking. It was very difficult to know what to believe.
At Powrhouse, we like to base our opinions on facts and research, so we would cut through the noise and work out which air conditioning brands are the best, and which ones are possibly best avoided.
Remember: Your Air Conditioner Is Also a Heater
One of the biggest misconceptions we see is homeowners using their reverse cycle air conditioner only for cooling.
Modern reverse cycle systems are highly effective heaters and are typically the cheapest way to heat a home.
This is because reverse cycle air conditioners move heat rather than generate it directly. As a result, they can produce several units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed, making them significantly more efficient than electric resistance and gas heaters.
If you already have a reverse cycle air conditioner installed, I suggest trying it on heating mode and see how it feels. Hopefully you’ll feel comfortable – your bills certainly will be.
Our Research
A little while ago I started a large spreadsheet to compare the main air conditioning brands side-by-side. I looked at a variety of factors include Energy Ratings, Sound Levels, Costs, Online Reviews, Refrigerant, Warranty, Connectivity, Place of Manufacture and VEEC eligibility (for Victorian customers). It was a laborious but informative process.
Pleasingly, for the purposes of analysing air conditioners for winter, we also broke down the Energy Ratings by Heating and Cooling. The Australian Government Energy Rating Scheme is designed to make it easy to compare the energy efficiency of air conditioners.
There isn’t a huge variation in the heating efficiency of these units. Looking purely at efficiency, the Avanti Plus range from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries tops the table with 3.5 stars. The Lite range from Daikin doesn’t perform as strongly, only rated at 2 stars.
We should also mention that just because a unit is efficient from a heating perspective, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the most efficient cooling unit. Take Actron Air’s Serene range, it rates as 3 stars for heating but a huge 7 stars for cooling.
An example of the Zoned Energy Rating Label.
Our Recommended Brands
The reverse cycle air conditioning market is mature and well established. Most major manufacturers have been producing air conditioners for many years, and the technology is generally reliable.
That said, some brands have developed stronger reputations for performance, reliability and after-sales support.
Based on our research, the brands we most commonly recommend are:
The two “Mitsubishis” are different companies, even though they share the name “Mitsubishi.”
These manufacturers have long track records in the Australian market, generally receive strong feedback from both installers and homeowners and perform well at efficiently keeping our homes warm in winter.
Panasonic
Panasonic has been manufacturing appliances for decades and continues to produce high-quality air conditioning systems. Their units are generally well regarded for reliability, efficiency and claim to have market leading filters.
Daikin
Daikin is often regarded as the premium brand in the market. The company has an excellent reputation for reliability, efficiency and product quality.
Daikin units typically cost a little more than comparable models from other manufacturers, but many customers are comfortable paying the premium for a brand with such a strong track record.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has built a reputation for producing robust and dependable air conditioning systems. Their units are known for strong heating and cooling performance and are widely respected within the industry.
Mitsubishi Electric
Despite the similar name, Mitsubishi Electric is a separate company from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Mitsubishi Electric has also established itself as a leading manufacturer and is known for producing efficient, reliable and user-friendly systems. And to confuse matters even further, Mitsubishi Electric is entirely independent from “Mitsubishi Motors”, the car company with exactly the same logo. Confused? You’re not the only one…
Brands We’d Approach With Caution
Brands We’d Approach With CautionWhile there are many brands available, we generally suggest being cautious with some of the cheaper options on the market.
Brands such as Rinnai, Midea and TCL often compete heavily on price. While they may suit some situations, our preference is to invest in a higher-quality unit that is likely to provide better long-term performance and support.
Air conditioning and heating is a large expense. I’d prefer to pay more upfront, knowing that I have a greater chance of that unit lasting a long time. Customers in Victoria should be acutely aware of this, given rebates under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program reduce prices even further. But these rebates are only available once.
Our views are based on a combination of industry research, installer feedback and online customer reviews. As with any product category, individual experiences can vary, but we believe paying a little more upfront for a reputable brand is often money well spent.
Understanding Air Conditioner Warranties
Most reverse cycle air conditioners sold in Australia come with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.
A five-year warranty is now very common across the industry, although we’d certainly hope to get significantly longer service life from a quality air conditioner.
It’s also important to remember that lifespan depends heavily on how the system is used. A unit that operates for many hours every day will naturally experience more wear and tear than one that is only used occasionally.
When comparing products, don’t place too much emphasis on warranty length alone.
Some companies advertise particularly attractive warranties as a marketing tool. However, a longer warranty doesn’t necessarily mean the product will last longer, or that you’ll get any support under a warranty claim.
In our view, a manufacturer’s reputation, track record and service network are often more important than an extra year or two of warranty coverage.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a reverse cycle air conditioner that offers strong heating performance to keep your house warm in winter, we’d suggest starting your research with the Big 4: Daikin, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric and Panasonic.
While there are cheaper alternatives available, we generally believe that investing in a reputable brand provides greater peace of mind and a better ownership experience over the life of the system.
If you’d like to share your experience with your own air conditioner, leave a review.
About Tim Johnston
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