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Split systems North Brisbane
Split system installation in North Brisbane
Three quotes, three different unit sizes and no idea who’s right? Skip it. One hand-picked local installer sizes the room properly and quotes it upfront in writing.
- Licence and insurance already checked
- Sized for the room, not guessed
- Fair, upfront written quotes
Tell us the job. We’ll send the right aircon tech.
30 seconds. Free, no obligation, no chasing.
Split systems, without the guesswork
Getting a split system in should be simple. Instead you ring around, wait on call-backs, and end up with three quotes: one for a 2.5 kW unit, one for a 3.5 kW and one that doesn’t mention the circuit or the pipe run. Pick wrong and you’re stuck with a unit that runs flat out all summer, or one that short-cycles and leaves the room clammy.
That’s the bit we’ve already done. We send one vetted installer who sizes the room properly, explains what’s included and quotes it upfront in writing. One form, one installer, sorted.
A split system has two parts: an indoor head mounted high on the wall and an outdoor condenser, joined by insulated copper pipework, a drain and a power cable. You cool only the rooms you are using, which keeps running costs down, and installation is quick. A straightforward bedroom install is usually done in a few hours.
Most homes in North Brisbane, from the brick lowsets of Aspley and Stafford Heights to the newer project homes in North Lakes and Warner, suit split systems well. Single-storey brick or brick veneer walls make for an easy back-to-back install where the outdoor unit sits directly behind the indoor unit. Two-storey homes, highset timber homes and units take more planning around where the condenser can go and how the pipes will run.
Almost every split system sold in Australia now is an inverter reverse cycle unit. Inverter compressors ramp up and down instead of switching on and off, which is quieter and more efficient. Reverse cycle means it heats as well as cools, and in Brisbane the dry mode is worth using on muggy days when the humidity is the real problem.
The difference
Getting a split system the usual way vs. with us
The usual way
- Ring around and chase call-backs
- Three quotes with three different unit sizes
- ‘Standard install’ means something different every time
- Hope the installer holds an ARCtick licence
With Air Conditioning North Brisbane
- One form, one installer calls you
- Sized for your room, its sun and its ceiling
- A written quote that spells out pipe, circuit and isolator
- ARCtick and electrical licences checked before they join
Sizing guide
Split system sizing guide: kW by room size
A rough guide for Brisbane homes with standard 2.4 m ceilings and average insulation, based on about 125–150 watts of cooling per square metre. Rooms with high or raked ceilings, big west-facing windows, poor insulation or an open kitchen need the higher end or the next size up.
| Room or space | Typical size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 m² (small bedroom, study) | 2.0–2.5 kW | Typical small-bedroom unit |
| 15–25 m² (main bedroom) | 2.5–3.5 kW | 3.5 kW if the room gets afternoon sun |
| 25–35 m² (large bedroom, small lounge) | 3.5–5.0 kW | Common size for media rooms |
| 35–45 m² (living room) | 5.0–7.1 kW | Allow more for high ceilings |
| 45–60 m² (open-plan living and dining) | 7.1–8.5 kW | Check your switchboard capacity |
| 60–80 m² (large open-plan with kitchen) | 8.5–10 kW | May suit two units or ducted instead |
General guidance only. A proper heat-load assessment by the contractor, taking in orientation, glazing, insulation, ceiling height and occupancy, should set the final size. An undersized unit runs flat out without keeping up; an oversized one short-cycles and dehumidifies poorly.
What a standard split system installation usually includes
Installers define a standard install a little differently, so check the quote. A typical standard install includes:
- Mounting the indoor unit on an external wall, back-to-back with the outdoor unit
- Up to about 3 metres of insulated copper pipe between indoor and outdoor units
- Outdoor unit on a ground pad, mounting feet or a slab at ground level
- Condensate drain run to a suitable discharge point
- Pipe cover or duct to tidy the pipework on the outside wall
- A dedicated circuit from the switchboard and a weatherproof isolator at the outdoor unit
- Pressure test, vacuum and commissioning by an ARCtick licensed technician
- Common extras: longer pipe runs (often around $60 per extra metre), wall or roof brackets, second-storey access, condensate pumps, Wi-Fi modules and switchboard upgrades
Costs
Split system installation costs in North Brisbane
Indicative supply-and-install ranges for a standard installation on a single-storey home. Premium brands, long pipe runs and tricky access push prices toward the top of each range.
| Job | Indicative cost | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 kW split system | $1,200–$2,500 | Small to medium bedroom |
| 3.5 kW split system | $1,400–$2,800 | Main bedroom or study |
| 5.0 kW split system | $1,800–$3,500 | Medium living area |
| 7.1 kW split system | $2,200–$4,500 | Open-plan living |
| 8–9 kW split system | $3,000–$5,500 | Large open-plan spaces |
| Install only (you supply the unit) | $700–$1,500 | Not every installer offers this |
Indicative only, GST inclusive, based on published Brisbane pricing guides at the time of writing. These are not our prices. Get a written quote that lists exactly what is included.
Common questions
Split system installation FAQs
What size split system do I need for my bedroom?
For most Brisbane bedrooms, a 2.5 kW unit suits rooms up to about 15 to 18 square metres, and a 3.5 kW unit suits rooms up to about 25 square metres. Go up a size if the room faces west, has a lot of glass or sits under an uninsulated roof. The contractor should confirm the size after looking at the room.
How long does a split system install take?
A standard back-to-back install on a single-storey brick home usually takes two to four hours. Longer pipe runs, two-storey work, roof-mounted condensers or a new circuit from a distant switchboard can stretch that to most of a day. Installing several units on the same visit is common and usually cheaper per unit.
Can I buy the unit myself and just pay for installation?
Some contractors will install a unit you have bought, but many prefer to supply it so they can stand behind both the product and the installation. If you supply it, check the manufacturer’s warranty conditions, which usually require installation by a licensed technician, and confirm the installer is happy to work with that brand.
Do I need a switchboard upgrade?
Not always. Each split system usually gets its own circuit, so the switchboard needs space and enough capacity. Older northside homes with ceramic fuses or a full board may need an upgrade before a new circuit can be added. The contractor should check your switchboard and tell you up front if this applies.
Where should the outdoor unit go?
Somewhere with good airflow, out of direct afternoon sun if possible, and where the noise won’t bother you or the neighbours. Keep it clear of garden beds and away from bedroom windows. In units and townhouses, body corporate rules often control where condensers can go, so check those before the installer comes out to quote.
Is a split system cheaper to run than ducted?
If you only cool one or two rooms at a time, yes, split systems are usually cheaper to run because you are only conditioning the space you are using. If you regularly cool most of the house, a zoned ducted system can work out similarly or better. Look at the energy star ratings on the units you are quoted.
Skip the ring-around
Cool room, minus the ring-around
Tell us the room and your suburb. We’ll send the right split system installer, and they’ll call you to quote.
Tell us the job. We’ll send the right aircon tech.
30 seconds. Free, no obligation, no chasing.