Are Panasonic air conditioners the right choice?
In short a well-established brand with a 5 year parts and labour warranty and air purification features, and a sensible choice for ducted with Wi-Fi zone control. Less suited if purchase price is your main constraint.
Panasonic is a household name in Australia and a significant player in residential air conditioning. The company points to a century of experience in air movement and cooling, starting with electric fans and a window-type air conditioner.
Panasonic sits in the upper-middle to premium part of the market. It is generally not the cheapest option, and the case for paying more is efficiency, air purification technology and a straightforward warranty.
The range
Panasonic covers the main residential categories:
- Single room air conditioners: wall-mounted split systems, including the HZ Series (YKR, ultra premium) and Z Series (XKR, premium), both reverse cycle inverters with nanoe X air purification
- Multi room air conditioners: several indoor units on one outdoor unit
- Whole house: ducted air conditioning, with a Wi-Fi zone controller available
- Ventilation: quiet extraction fans
- Hot water heat pumps and air-to-water heat pumps for hydronic heating and cooling
Note that the hot water heat pump is a separate appliance from the air conditioners. It heats water, not air.
nanoe X air purification
This is Panasonic’s main technical differentiator in the residential range. nanoe X releases hydroxyl radicals into the airflow, which Panasonic says helps inhibit pollutants in the indoor environment. Panasonic markets it as 24-hour nanoe X protection.
Treat air purification claims from any manufacturer carefully. They are tested under laboratory conditions that do not match a real home. If indoor air quality is a health issue for you, talk to your doctor about what will actually help, rather than choosing an air conditioner on that basis alone.
Warranty
Panasonic provides a 5 year parts and labour warranty on its air conditioning, covering both residential and commercial applications.
That is a competitive warranty, and the fact that it covers labour matters. A parts-only warranty leaves you paying the call-out and the labour, which is usually the larger part of a repair bill.
What the Government’s energy register shows
The Australian Government’s Energy Rating register lists 221 current Panasonic 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 9 rates 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 12 rates 4 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 .
Who Panasonic suits
A good fit if:
- You want a well-established brand with a 5 year parts and labour warranty
- Air purification features appeal to you
- You want ducted with Wi-Fi zone control
- You are also considering a hot water heat pump and would prefer one supplier
Look elsewhere if:
- Purchase price is your main constraint
- You need an unusual indoor unit configuration. Some competitors offer a wider spread of cassette, floor console and bulkhead options
Before you buy
Different dealers charge different prices for the same Panasonic equipment, and installation costs vary even more. Compare your quotes for the same model and capacity, and check each includes the same electrical work, mounting, commissioning and old system removal.
Also check whether the model you are quoted carries a Zoned Energy Rating Label and what it rates in your climate zone. How to read the label
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.