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.

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With Australia in the grip of winter, a new breed of free daytime electricity plans have arrived just in time to keep your home warm on the cheap. Here’s how to time your electric heating – and cooling – to make the most of the Solar Sharer Offer’s free electricity period.

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Pop quiz!  What’s more important when it comes to buying an air conditioner?

• (a) Cooling efficiency
• (b) Heating efficiency
• (c) Purple monkey dishwasher

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It wasn’t even 11am in my neck of the woods in Adelaide on Tuesday, and the temperature had already reached 42.2C. After several days roasting in the forties, it’s fair to say that if I didn’t already have air conditioning, I’d have given up one of my kidneys to get it. Maybe even both of them.

Fortunately, air conditioning installers don’t typically expect human organs as payment – although that doesn’t mean a quality new system comes cheap. Here’s how much it typically costs to install an air conditioner in Australia in 2026.

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Are you thinking of a portable air conditioner? Don’t. Step back. Put your wallet away.

I can’t think of a better way to waste time, money and energy than buying a portable air conditioner – although there are a couple of exceptions that have their place.

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Sweltering through a heatwave and desperate for a new air conditioner? Don’t rush into a decision before working out what size of unit you need – otherwise you’ll be blowing all your cold cash on hot air.

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Ads for cheap(ish) so-called “air conditioners” that look a little like small reverse cycle split system head units have been popping up all over the web. Save your money and your time — they won’t work as advertised for a very simple reason, and may pose fire safety risks. [Read more…]

If you want to control your air conditioner properly with solar, it helps to understand how the thing actually works. As an ex-control systems engineer, this is right up my alley. Let’s break it down.

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Like many home improvements, the type of air-conditioning that may be best suited for your house will depend on a number of factors, including if you have solar panels. See the pros and cons of the two main technologies, and other points to consider. [Read more…]

Winter is here, and nobody is more aware of that than Australians with a struggling reverse cycle air conditioner (RVAC). If your system isn’t keeping you warm, here’s what to do to get it humming.

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