If you want to air-condition more of your home, there is a decision that comes up surprisingly often:
Do you install one large air conditioner and try to cool a bigger area, or install several smaller split systems in the rooms where you actually need them?
It can be tempting to assume that one powerful air conditioner will be the simpler option. In some homes, particularly large open-plan areas, that can work extremely well.
But once bedrooms, hallways, closed doors and different living areas get involved, bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better.
The better solution depends on the layout of the home, which rooms you use, when you use them and how independently you want to control the temperature.
When does one larger split system make sense?
A larger split-system air conditioner can be a great solution when you are trying to condition one large, connected area.
Think open-plan kitchens, dining rooms and living areas where air can move relatively freely throughout the space.
In this situation, one correctly sized system can provide effective heating and cooling without needing several indoor units throughout the same area.
The important part is that the unit is selected for the actual space rather than simply choosing the biggest model available.
The problem starts when you expect one unit to cool the whole house
An air conditioner can only move conditioned air where the airflow can actually reach.
A large system installed in the living room might make that room extremely comfortable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will effectively cool bedrooms at the other end of the house.
Hallways, corners, closed doors and the layout of the property can all limit how effectively conditioned air moves between rooms.
You can end up making the main living area colder than you want while still struggling to get comfortable temperatures elsewhere.
Why multiple split systems can make more sense
Installing separate split systems gives you much more control over individual areas of the home.
You might have one system servicing the main living area, another in the master bedroom and smaller units in bedrooms or home offices that are regularly occupied.
The big advantage is that you don’t necessarily need to air-condition every room at the same time.
If everyone is in the living room during the afternoon, you can run the living-room system. At night, you can turn that system off and run the bedroom units instead.
For households where different parts of the home are occupied at different times, this can be a very practical way to approach air conditioning.
One large system versus several smaller systems
There isn’t a universal winner. Each approach has advantages.
One larger split system may suit you if:
- You primarily want to cool one large open-plan area
- The space has good airflow between the areas you want conditioned
- You don’t need individual temperature control in several separate rooms
- You want to minimise the number of indoor units on the walls
Multiple split systems may suit you if:
- You want air conditioning in several separate bedrooms or living areas
- You regularly close doors between rooms
- Different rooms are occupied at different times
- You want independent temperature control
- You want the flexibility to only run the air conditioners you currently need
What about a multi-split air conditioner?
There is also a middle ground.
A multi-split system connects multiple indoor air-conditioning units to a single outdoor unit.
This can be useful where you want individual indoor units in several rooms but don’t want multiple outdoor condenser units positioned around the property.
Whether a multi-split system or several independent split systems makes more sense depends on the property, installation requirements, capacity needed and where the outdoor equipment can be located.
Don’t forget the electrical side of the installation
Choosing the air conditioners is only one part of planning the installation.
The electrical supply also needs to be considered.
Depending on the systems being installed and the existing electrical installation, additional circuits, isolation equipment or other electrical work may be required.
This becomes particularly important when several air conditioners are being added to an existing home.
Correct sizing matters more than simply buying a bigger unit
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is assuming that extra capacity is always an advantage.
The air conditioner should be suited to the space it is actually responsible for conditioning.
Room dimensions are only part of that decision. The layout, windows, insulation, orientation and way the space is used can also influence what system is appropriate.
That means a home with a large open-plan living area and three bedrooms may be better served by several properly selected systems rather than trying to make one oversized unit do everything.
Think about how you actually live in the house
This is often the easiest way to make the decision.
Ask yourself:
- Which rooms become uncomfortable in summer?
- Which rooms are occupied during the day?
- Which rooms need air conditioning overnight?
- Do bedroom doors normally stay closed?
- Does the family spend most of its time in one large living area?
- Do you want different temperatures in different rooms?
Those answers can tell you more than simply looking at the total floor area of the house.
Planning air conditioning before summer?
If you’re considering adding air conditioning to one room or several areas of your home, it is worth planning the complete setup before simply buying the largest unit you can find.
Power Bolt Electrical can assess the areas you want to heat and cool, look at the existing electrical installation and help determine whether one larger split system, multiple smaller systems or another configuration is the better solution for your home.
Get in touch with Power Bolt Electrical to discuss your air-conditioning installation before the summer heat arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to have one large air conditioner or multiple smaller split systems?
It depends on the layout of the home and how the rooms are used. One correctly sized system can work well for a large open-plan area, while multiple split systems can provide better individual control when heating or cooling separate bedrooms and living spaces.
Can one split-system air conditioner cool an entire house?
A split system may effectively condition a large connected open-plan area, but cooling separate rooms can be difficult when hallways, walls and closed doors restrict airflow. Homes with separate rooms may benefit from multiple systems or another whole-home solution.
What are the advantages of having multiple split-system air conditioners?
Multiple split systems allow different areas of the home to be controlled independently. This means homeowners can run the air conditioning in the rooms they are using rather than necessarily conditioning every area at the same time.
What is a multi-split air conditioner?
A multi-split air-conditioning system connects multiple indoor units to a single outdoor unit. It can provide individual air conditioning to several rooms while reducing the number of outdoor units required.
Does a bigger air conditioner cool a home better?
Not necessarily. Air conditioners should be correctly sized for the spaces they are intended to heat and cool. The room size, layout, windows, insulation, orientation and use of the area can all influence the appropriate system capacity.
Do split-system air conditioners need their own electrical circuit?
The electrical requirements depend on the air conditioner being installed and the existing electrical installation. An electrician can assess the required circuit, isolation and electrical supply as part of planning the installation.