G'day! With summer on the horizon, we're all bracing for those stinking hot days and, even worse, those long, sticky nights. Tossing and turning in a stuffy bedroom is a classic Aussie summer struggle. While a big air con for the main living area is great, sometimes you just need a perfect, energy-efficient solution for a smaller space.

This is where the small split system air conditioner comes in. It's the ideal choice for bringing that blissful cool to your bedroom, home office, or nursery without the running costs of a massive unit.

What is a 'Small' Split System Air Conditioner?

When we talk about a small split system air conditioner, we're not just talking about its physical size; we're talking about its cooling power, which is measured in kilowatts (kW).

For a small system, we're generally talking about units in the 2.0kW to 3.5kW range. The most popular size by a long shot for a standard Aussie bedroom is the classic 2.5kW model. It's specifically designed to efficiently and effectively cool a single, smaller space without being overkill.

How to Know if a Small Split System is Right for You (Sizing Guide)

Choosing the right size is fair dinkum the most important decision you'll make. A unit that's too small will struggle, and one that's too big will be inefficient. Here’s a simple rule of thumb for sizing:

Allow around 150 watts of power per square metre of your room.

• Formula: Room size in square metres (m²) x 150 watts = Required cooling power in watts.
• Example for a typical bedroom: Let's say your bedroom is 3m wide x 4m long.
  • 3m x 4m = 12m² (This is your room's area)
  • 12m² x 150W = 1800 watts, or 1.8kW.

This calculation tells you that a 2.0kW or 2.5kW unit is the perfect size for this room. It has more than enough grunt to keep you cool on the hottest night without being oversized.

The Big Benefits of Choosing the Right Size

Nailing the size for your small split system air conditioner has some ripper benefits:

• It's Cheaper to Run: A correctly sized unit doesn't have to work as hard, meaning it uses less electricity and saves you money on your power bill.
• Better Dehumidification: An oversized unit cools the room too quickly and switches off, not giving it enough time to properly remove the sticky humidity from the air. A correctly sized unit runs for longer, gentler cycles, which are much better at making the room feel crisp and comfortable.
• Lower Upfront Cost: Generally, a smaller kW unit is cheaper to buy than a larger one.

Remember: Installation is a Job for the Pros

Even a small split system air conditioner is a complex piece of machinery that involves high-voltage electricity and high-pressure refrigerant gas. In Australia, it is illegal and unsafe to install one yourself.

The job legally requires two licensed professionals: a licensed air conditioning technician (who holds an ARCtick licence) to handle the refrigerant gas and pipework, and a licensed electrician to run the dedicated power circuit.

A quality installation is essential for any air conditioner, big or small, and that includes using professional-grade electrical components. This is why professional installers and licensed electricians only use trade-quality gear from trusted suppliers. Schnap Electric Products is a leading Australian supplier of all the essential electrical components required for any split system installation. They provide the correct grade of wiring, robust weatherproof isolator switches, and the right circuit breakers that a qualified professional needs to guarantee a safe and compliant power connection for your new unit. For a top-notch result, no matter the size of your air con, the pros start with quality gear from a supplier like Schnap Electric.