Des

Hi Guys

We will be building in Victoria (Melbourne) and we just wanted to know from those who have built how effective is evaporative cooling? is it worth installing or we are better off going with the reverse cycle split system air conditioning? which one is cost effective in your opinion? the company we are planning to build with supplies evaporative cooling but does not supply the air conditioning but will enquire on our behalf.

or should we just have the evaporative cooling and then add some fans,? your help is much appreciated.

des

thribble

First in for the green brigade here. Evaporative cooling and fans, particularly as you're in Melbourne, which is a pretty dry heat in the summer, rather than the Queensland humidity.

Whilst you're thinking about building, check out http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/gwci/pubs/coolit.pdf

Insulation isn't very good, as standard, but can save you a shed load of money in the long run on heating and cooling, and makes my green soul happy I'll get off my hobby horse now!!

wanderingwombat

Evap cooling works best where the humidity is low (away from the coast where it is hot and dry) as it puts water vapour back into the air to cool. In humid climates this is the last thing you want.

You may find that reverse aircon maybe the best option in Melbourne. Have a look around where you are building to see if there are louvred boxes on the roof which are the evap units.

WW

Santa

We had r/c in Perth, the cooling is fantastic but expensive. What really is fantastic though is the heating, and a fraction of the cost of wood/gas bottles etc.

Amazulu

I don't rate evaporative at all. It's a glorified fan & does not work properly. I have just has Fujitsu Inverter R/C aircon installed & it's great & the way to go.

Muzza04

Yep, we have a Fujitsu R/C aircon( model unknown) and does the job.

bobbyftm

approx how much does air con cost to install and how many units did you have put in please?thanks for any assistance

raiz

hi des
if you do choose reverse cycle a/c then inverter driven systems are the best option for your home, (less power consumption).
a/c has come on leaps and bounds in the last 10years, once upon a time the lights would dim in the whole house when the compressor started.

does it get cold in melbourne during winter?

if so the heating capacity is always greater than the cooling capacity in split systems.
cant give you help on evaporative coolers not came across them yet!


cheers Lee

BadgeIsBack

We've just installed a 2.5bhp RC Pansonic Invertor in Melbourne.

Really efficient and very good.

The_Pom_From_Aus

regarding air con as apposed to ducted cooling i can tell you now most people comment on there own experiences, good or bad. i can tell you from a technical side that air con is refrigerated and also Expensive either id you are using it for cooling or heating, consider a 3kw fire thats what you may be using.

I'm Melbourne as people have said the cooling of evaporative is more efficient you leave the windows open a couple of inches for the circulation of air, but its very efficient these days and cost of $1 dollars per day to $1.50 per day if you have it on for 12 hours. (extremely cheap to run).
you may expect to pay for supply and installation of a 4 bed house $3,500 dollars thats with a 5 year guarantee so dont think evaporating cooling is crap in Victoria there the humidity is lower than other staes it does a great job.

how would i know you may ask,, well Ive installed mine and i got some great advise selected the correct unit to do a good job on humid days.

regards

Arthur

Amazulu

I paid $4000 for 2x2.5hp units & 1x1hp unit (there is $250 cash back per unit from Fujitsu at the moment so $3250) & $1800 to have them installed, this is a bit on the high side but I need additional electrical works & some of the cable runs were quite long. So about $5000 for the 3 units, these are the latest units as well. Winter is a good time to get this done as the installers are not that busy & the manufacturers give good discounts.

BadgeIsBack

Indeed, lengthy cabling runs over a certain amount is a killer.

We got 1 for $1600 ( I think) and the install was $700ish.
2.5bhp is what 2000w? At maximum. Heats our kitchen, dining room and living room. A std 1, 2 or 3Kw fire is not as effective. I notice the air coming from it is not red hot, so I can see its not using electricity like's it going out of fashion like the 2Kw fire we have in the fireplace- which incidentally is not used - only for the flame effect - which sounds tackly but it is grouse.

We have a wood burner in the kitchen too.

Amazulu

I think on heating a R/C unit takes the heat from outside & transfers it inside (simplified) so does not have a heating element built in which makes it cheaper than an electric heater. The heating function works well. I'm pleased with it.

thribble

Sounds like it wouldn't be much good if it was cold outside...

shade8

In Perth thinking of getting evap cooling any recommendations on which systems to buy????????????