Are ActronAir air conditioners the right choice?
In short an Australian-engineered brand that is strongest in ducted systems, with a 5 year warranty on its residential products. A good fit for demanding conditions or individual zone temperature control, but not the place to look for the cheapest single split.
ActronAir is an Australian family-owned company that has been designing and building air conditioners here since 1984 (actronair.com.au). That is unusual in a market dominated by Japanese and Korean multinationals, and it is the brand’s main point of difference: the systems are engineered specifically for Australian conditions.
You will most often see ActronAir quoted for ducted systems, which is where the brand is strongest.
The range
Residential ducted The core of the business. Several tiers are available, from Aspire (space-saving and cost-effective) through AIRES to Advance, which ActronAir calls its most advanced ducted system.
Wall-mounted split systems The Serene range covers 2.65kW, 3.5kW, 5.0kW, 6.0kW, 7.2kW, 8.0kW and 9.0kW on single phase, with inverter rotary compressors and an operating range from -15°C to 50°C. Features across the range include built-in Wi-Fi, self-clean, Eco and Sleep modes and a proximity sensor.
Mini-VRF The ECOFLEX range, for homes and light commercial applications that need more flexibility than a standard ducted system.
Commercial ActronAir also has a substantial commercial range, which is part of why its residential equipment tends to be built for heavy duty.
What ActronAir is known for
Zoning This is the strongest reason to look at ActronAir if you are buying ducted. Its NEO and NEO Connect controllers offer individual zone temperature control, which is a step beyond standard ducted zoning. On most ducted systems, all open zones share one thermostat and get the same air. Individual zone control lets different rooms hold different temperatures, which fixes the most common complaint people have about ducted systems.
Designed for Australian extremes The equipment is engineered for the operating range Australia actually delivers, from heatwaves to frosts. The Serene split range is rated to operate from -15°C to 50°C.
Australian owned and operated ActronAir designs its systems for Australian conditions and supports them here. On a system you expect to keep for ten to fifteen years, that matters more than people usually allow for when comparing brands.
Warranty
ActronAir states that all its residential products carry a 5 year warranty, and its residential ducted split systems (2kW to 25kW) come with 5 years parts and labour. That is competitive with the major Japanese brands.
As with any brand, check the warranty terms that apply to the specific model you are quoted, and confirm what the installer’s separate installation warranty covers.
Who ActronAir suits
A good fit if:
- You are buying ducted and individual zone temperature control matters to you
- You want an Australian-owned brand with systems engineered for Australian conditions
- Your home has demanding conditions, such as extreme summer heat or genuine frosts
- You want a heavier-duty system and are less focused on the lowest purchase price
Look elsewhere if:
- You want the cheapest possible single split system. ActronAir is not positioned at the budget end, and the split range is narrower than Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric or Fujitsu
- You want the widest possible choice of indoor unit styles, such as cassettes and floor consoles in every capacity
What the Government’s energy register shows
The Australian Government’s Energy Rating register lists 128 current ActronAir registrations for sale in Australia, as at . Manufacturers have to register every air conditioner sold here with the energy efficiency regulator, along with its tested efficiency.
- Bedroom size (2.0 to 3.0kW wall split, reverse cycle): the most efficient of 3 rates 6.5 stars for cooling and 3.5 for heating in the average climate zone
- Living area size (6.0 to 8.0kW wall split, reverse cycle): the most efficient of 6 rates 4.5 stars for cooling and 3 for heating
The stars come from the manufacturer’s own tests, submitted to the regulator. They are a fair guide to running cost, not to reliability, and a half-star difference between brands is not worth choosing on. A registration stays listed until it expires, so not every one is still on sale. Check the label for the exact model you are quoted, or look it up on the Energy Rating calculator.
Source: Energy Rating data, Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, licensed under CC BY 3.0 AU. Data as at .
Before you decide
Compare quotes Different dealers charge different prices for the same equipment, and installation costs vary more than the equipment does.
Ask about zoning specifically If individual zone control is the reason you are considering ActronAir, confirm which controller is in the quote, because it is not standard on every configuration.
Check the capacity Ask each installer for the heat load assessment behind their sizing. Our sizing guide explains why
A reminder about installation only a licensed technician can install an air conditioning system. Anyone installing or servicing a refrigerated air conditioner needs a Refrigerant Handling Licence from the Australian Refrigeration Council. Handling refrigerant without one is an offence. You can check any installer’s licence on the national register at lookforthetick.com.au. Our guide to choosing a reliable installer covers what else to check.