Air Conditioners

[P924]

Hi all

I'm looking for AC's, prefer inverter models, probably Samsung.
Looking at the AR7500 range, can anyone comment if the "wind-free" feature is worth it or just a gimmick?
It does come with the Samsung Buy&Get Promo (R3k) which I will make use of, so net not far off from the AR4500 range.

Also struggling to decide on sizes, I have 3 bedrooms:
~14.5m2 that gets VERY hot - happy with 12k BTU here, but will 9K BTU suffice? Price diff is only R500 on ~R14k total with install.
~12.2m2 that gets quite hot - 9k BTU would be enough, but again for R500 more is the 12k BTU better? I've come across mixed opinions on what is actually better for this room size.
~26m2 doesn't get as hot as the other 2 - would a 12k BTU be enough here even though it is recommended up to 24m2 (sometimes 25m2)? Big price jump to the 18k BTU, so will have to settle for lower range/brand if that size is needed.

Will appreciate any comments/suggestions.
Thanks!

Higher BTU+inverter will yield better EER. So more energy efficient. (assuming the inside unit is bigger on the higher BTU units)
Edit: The indoor units for the 12kbtu and 9kbtu is the same, you can also see the EER drop from 3.7 for the 9k to 3.3 for the 12k. 9k will probably be fine, overall it will be more energy efficient. If the 12k is oversized, it will be equally efficient.

 

[ItherNiT]

I'm also interested in the AR7500/wind-free option at the moment. So if anyone here has one, please comment!

I'm mostly interested in that range, because its rated at lower power usage and can fit on my inverters essentials.

 

[Dooks111]

Any cheap/expensive split-unit aircon will work. They are all basically the same at the core. Keep it clean and serviced and should last for years. Fancy Wi-Fi options are available but not necessary. Inverter aircons do use less energy (power) but also has a slower startup time than a non-inverter type. Once the room is up to temp, both types will use more or less the same amount of energy.

Portable aircons do work, just much less efficient than a split-unit and you need to fiddle with draining the water, get an airtight seal around the exhaust pipe to the outside, etc.

 

[Magnum]

I work in Airconland. Just last week I had to Fire hose 6 Aircons to cool them down. I have to admit that they have been running 24/7 for the last 15 years.

 

[Tim_vb]

Any cheap/expensive split-unit aircon will work. They are all basically the same at the core. Keep it clean and serviced and should last for years. Fancy Wi-Fi options are available but not necessary. Inverter aircons do use less energy (power) but also has a slower startup time than a non-inverter type. Once the room is up to temp, both types will use more or less the same amount of energy.

Portable aircons do work, just much less efficient than a split-unit and you need to fiddle with draining the water, get an airtight seal around the exhaust pipe to the outside, etc.

Portable ACs are very inefficient as the pull in warm air from outside

Technology Connections has an episode on why they suck.

Inverter AC's also work far better on a home inverter system and in in my case don't start with loud thump that drawing so much power it dims my lights

 

[Dooks111]

Portable ACs are very inefficient as the pull in warm air from outside

Technology Connections has an episode on why they suck.

Inverter AC's also work far better on a home inverter system and in in my case don't start with loud thump that drawing so much power it dims my lights

Yeap, it did say:

Portable aircons do work, just much less efficient than a split-unit

It still has a net gain in cool air temperatures in a room.

Yes, non-inverter units do draw a lot of power to get the compressor running. As for the inverter it starts the compressor slowly hence no thump. But does start slower than a non-inverter type.

I am completely on both the Inverter and Non-inverter bandwagons. Just a matter of upfront costs to some less fortunate people.

 

[soulie]

my bedroom is 9metres by 4 metres and we use an 18000 btu Galanz unit .it runs that room down to ridiculous temps if you allow it .sleep function is very nice to have on an aircon .lots dont have that and no its not a timer to switch it off its a bit different .

 

[A3@MBB]

Not sure if still available, but Builders Warehouse had a sale last week on the 12k Goldair non-invertor for R5999 prompting their newly launched rewards card & online shop.
This includes an back to back installation.
Needless to say, my study promptly got upgraded with air conditioning.

 

[Dooks111]

@A3@MBB I actually ordered 2x of those Gold-Air 12000btu aircons from Builders @R5999 + 1c for installation, it never got delivered. After a battle with Builders and mailing every email I could find for upper management at Builders and MassMart - I finally got a refund. I then ordered 2x Jet-Air 12000btu non-inverter aircons @R8999 each installed from an aircon installer (got installed the very next day) - Happy with my choice. These Jet-Airs are very beautiful units and even more efficient than my older 12000 btu non-inverter aircons.

 

[A3@MBB]

@A3@MBB I actually ordered 2x of those Gold-Air 12000btu aircons from Builders @R5999 + 1c for installation, it never got delivered. After a battle with Builders and mailing every email I could find for upper management at Builders and MassMart - I finally got a refund. I then ordered 2x Jet-Air 12000btu non-inverter aircons @R8999 each installed from an aircon installer (got installed the very next day) - Happy with my choice. These Jet-Airs are very beautiful units and even more efficient than my older 12000 btu non-inverter aircons.

Sounds like bad management and stock control.
Cannot really fault my installed unit, only criticism could be that the condenser run a bit loud and that the unit defaults to 24 degrees on each startup.

 

[RonSwanson]

I am looking for supply and install of two AR6500T, AR8500T or AR9500T 12000 BTU Samsung inverter ACs in Port Elizabeth. Any recommendations on a good installer?
After my solar install I don't trust the kabookie locals, I need someone competent.

 

[thedulyman]

@A3@MBB I actually ordered 2x of those Gold-Air 12000btu aircons from Builders @R5999 + 1c for installation, it never got delivered. After a battle with Builders and mailing every email I could find for upper management at Builders and MassMart - I finally got a refund. I then ordered 2x Jet-Air 12000btu non-inverter aircons @R8999 each installed from an aircon installer (got installed the very next day) - Happy with my choice. These Jet-Airs are very beautiful units and even more efficient than my older 12000 btu non-inverter aircons.

How loud are they ? I am wanting to use them in a room or two where a constant "whrrrrr" may be an issue. I've been told others are 5db quieter.

 

[Dooks111]

How loud are they ? I am wanting to use them in a room or two where a constant "whrrrrr" may be an issue. I've been told others are 5db quieter.

Actually runs really quiet. Don't know the exact models but now almost two years in, haven't had any issues and still runs super quiet. We use it every single night. During this winter we use it on heating mode at 23 degrees - during the summer it will go back to cooling mode at 23 degrees as well. If I ever install aircons again, it will be the same brand.

 

[thedulyman]

Actually runs really quiet. Don't know the exact models but now almost two years in, haven't had any issues and still runs super quiet. We use it every single night. During this winter we use it on heating mode at 23 degrees - during the summer it will go back to cooling mode at 23 degrees as well. If I ever install aircons again, it will be the same brand.

Thanks, that helps.