ÌÇÐÄVlog

Buying a new air conditioner? We blow away 7 common myths

Buying an air conditioner before the beginning of winter isn’t as silly as it might sound. Yes, they’re one of our favourite appliances to keep us cool during a hot, humid summer, but did you know they’re also one of the most efficient ways to keep your home warm and cosy in winter?

While there are obviously significant installation costs to consider, reverse cycle air conditioners are by far the cheapest heating appliance to run (as compared to portable electric heaters and gas heaters), which means they’re likely to save you money in the long game.

But with so many different units, brands and types available, choosing which model to buy can be a daunting task.

Most people just want an air conditioner that will keep them cool in summer (and warm in winter) at a good purchase price, and that won’t send their energy bills skyrocketing. 

But once you start shopping, it’s easy to get lost in all the sales spin and become confused by the size or features you actually need. 

To cut through all the hot air, we asked one of our expert testers to bust some of the most common air conditioner myths that can lead shoppers astray.

Myth 1: Bigger is always better

A bigger, more powerful unit is going to be better at heating or cooling a room, right? Well, according to ÌÇÐÄVlog expert Chris Barnes, the opposite can actually be true. He says that a unit that’s too powerful for the space will do something called ‘short cycling’.

“Short cycling happens when the unit cools the room too quickly – without dehumidifying the air properly in the process,” he says. “This means it will need to use more energy, and the air will also feel less comfortable due to the humidity.”

Chris advises taking the time to calculate the correct air con size for your space.

“It’s not only room size that matters,” he says. “Things like insulation, location and orientation can make a big difference to your air-conditioning requirements.”

Myth 2: Air conditioners are only good for cooling

If you think air conditioners are a summer-only appliance, think again. 

“There’s this persistent idea that air conditioners are so expensive to run that you’re better off wheeling out your gas or electric heater in winter,” says Chris.

“This is a massive misconception – it’s significantly cheaper to effectively warm a room with a reverse-cycle air con than a plug-in heater.”

Myth 3: Air conditioners cost roughly the same to run

It’s no secret that air con can be a costly appliance to run. But our comparison shows that two air conditioners of the same size can have running costs that differ by more than $100 a year. 

Chris advises: “Look at the unit’s energy star rating, or the running costs that we calculate based on average use. These will give you the best idea of which models are the most cost-effective to run.”

Myth 4: There’s no point replacing an old unit until it breaks down

It may be tempting to keep using your old air con. But Chris recommends replacing your air conditioner if it’s more than 10 years old – even if it still works fine.

“The energy efficiency of air conditioners has improved a lot over the last decade, so older models cost a lot more to run,” he says.

“You may not feel like shelling out the extra cash for a new unit, but if you use it a lot, a newer model could save you hundreds in running costs each year.”

Read our guide to the cost of installing or replacing an air conditioner.

Myth 5: All modern air conditioners are pretty quiet

It’s true that most air conditioners nowadays are fairly quiet compared with the noisy models of the past. But, Chris warns, “some cheaper or less reliable brands are a bit too noisy, especially the outdoor units”.

A loud outdoor unit may not seem like a big issue, but Chris says they can be disruptive if they are installed close to a neighbour’s window.

All manufacturers publish noise data on their websites, so it’s easy to check the ratings of both the indoor and outdoor unit before you buy.

Myth 6: Expensive air conditioners always perform better

Our expert testing consistently disproves the saying ‘you get what you pay for’, and air conditioners are no exception. 

You’ll find plenty of affordable units in our review that score similarly or better than their pricey counterparts.

Chris also has some advice on bagging a bargain. “Instead of buying this season’s newest model, try to find last year’s run-out stock instead. There won’t usually be much difference between models from the same manufacturer, but old stock is often significantly discounted.”

Myth 7: Fancy features are just sales gimmicks

Gone are the days when an air conditioner remote control consisted of just an on/off switch and a temperature setting. If you’re in the market for a modern unit, you’ll notice new features like Wi-Fi control, a human presence sensor, and special modes like Eco (energy saving) and Sleep (noise reducing and temperature adjusting).

Chris believes many of these new features are actually very useful.

“None of them are ‘must-haves’, but they can be quite effective at improving comfort and convenience and decreasing running costs.”

“For example, the human sensor feature saves you money by letting the temperature vary from the desired set-point when it can sense there’s nobody in the room. Wi-Fi apps can be useful for managing your energy use and for turning on your unit remotely.”

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Grace Smith

Grace Smith is a Content editor, she creates and edits content, stories and feature articles for ÌÇÐÄVlog magazine and digital platforms.  Grace writes on a diverse range of topics, from money-saving and consumer rights, to product safety and household goods. Previously, she worked as a verifier, reviewing lab data and written content to ensure all information was accurate and rigorous, and also as a Content producer for the Household team. Grace is the writer and producer of ÌÇÐÄVlog Cheapskate newsletter, full of money saving ideas and tricks. Grace has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney. Find Grace on .

Grace Smith is a Content editor, she creates and edits content, stories and feature articles for ÌÇÐÄVlog magazine and digital platforms.  Grace writes on a diverse range of topics, from money-saving and consumer rights, to product safety and household goods. Previously, she worked as a verifier, reviewing lab data and written content to ensure all information was accurate and rigorous, and also as a Content producer for the Household team. Grace is the writer and producer of ÌÇÐÄVlog Cheapskate newsletter, full of money saving ideas and tricks. Grace has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney. Find Grace on .