Hi Wall Split System
Air Conditioning

A hi wall (or wall mounted) split system is the most common air conditioner in Australian homes: one indoor unit mounted high on a wall, connected by refrigeration pipework to a single outdoor condenser. Artarmon Air Conditioning services and repairs hi wall splits across Sydney's Lower North Shore. The word "split" describes the layout, with the compressor outside and the fan and coil inside, rather than both in one box.

A rough starting point is 150 watts per square metre of floor area, so a 20 square metre bedroom lands around 3 kW. Artarmon Air Conditioning treats that as a first estimate only, because window area, room orientation, ceiling height, building insulation and how many people use the room all move the number, usually upwards. Always have it checked by a professional. An incorrectly sized system will struggle on the days you need it most.

Generally no. A hi wall split conditions the space it can move air into, so one unit in a living area will hold that room well and do very little behind a closed door or upstairs. Artarmon Air Conditioning's usual answer is one indoor head per room that needs it, either as separate split systems or as a multi-head system running several indoor units from one outdoor condenser.

No, and it is one of the most common pieces of bad advice given to homeowners. The oversizing warning comes from fixed-speed air conditioners, which could only run flat out or switch off. A modern inverter modulates its output, so a moderately oversized system reaches temperature faster and then throttles back. Artarmon Air Conditioning sizes for the hottest day a room will actually see.

Ideally on an external wall with the outdoor unit directly behind it, back to back, which keeps the pipework and drain runs short. Artarmon Air Conditioning avoids mounting above beds or valuables, because a neglected drain can block and overflow, and leaves clear space around the unit so it stays easy to service. Some units are put somewhere they can never be serviced properly, so take advice on placement before install day.

Not always, but on an existing house it often does, because there is no cavity or chase to run it through. Where it has to be external, Artarmon Air Conditioning conceals it in Colorbond trunking colour matched to the property's trim rather than leaving taped lagging on the wall, and uses SmartDuct where services run on an internal wall. Exposed pipework is an install shortcut, not a necessity.

It depends on the fault, the age and parts availability. Artarmon Air Conditioning finds that past about 10 years the options narrow, because components are model-specific and manufacturers stop supplying them. Costs also snowball, because a new outdoor board and fan motor will not stop the indoor unit developing a gas leak. On a smaller system they stack up fast once a major component has failed. We price both and you decide.

Yes, though many cleans sold as one do not. A cheap clean leaves components connected on the wall, so it looks clean from the ground while mould stays hidden up the back. Artarmon Air Conditioning strips the unit down, removes the electronics before any water is used, gives the coil two ten minute soakings and a double hot rinse, then dries and disinfects it. Blowers and drain pans come off and are scrubbed separately.