These air conditioners use a summer air cooling cycle and a recooling cycle to draw cold air from the room to the outside. Instead, the compressor pumps heat into the room from the outside. Manufacturers integrate reverse into air conditioners of any type: duct split systems, and multi-split.

Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning

Reverse cycle duct air conditioner is a combination of comfort, external elegance, and energy efficiency. Once installed inside the house, only the controller, the grilles through which air is drawn in and the exhaust grilles are visible. The reverse allows you to completely abandon the additional heating equipment. Apart from the advantages, these air conditioners also have disadvantages. The main one: channel air conditioners with a reverse cycle are 30-40% less energy efficient than split systems with a reverse cycle. This is due to the circulation of air through the channels in the walls. The longer the air ducts, the greater the energy loss and, accordingly, the current electricity costs.

How does reverse cycle air conditioning work?

In cooling mode, the air conditioner accumulates the cold from the outside, passes it through the refrigerant and evaporator, and injects a cool dry stream into the room. In heating mode, the air conditioner collects heat from outside and draws it into the room. Most reverse cycle air conditioners allow you to heat the house at temperatures as low as -5 degrees, but some brands have been able to expand this range.

Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning cost

The minimum price for a small house or apartment is $ 5,000. Installation of the system in a one-story house with three bedrooms will cost from $ 6,000 to 10,000. Installation of a ducted air conditioner in a two-story house with four bedrooms will cost you a minimum of $ 11,000. If the house is designed in such a way that there are already channels for air ducts, then the cost of installation will be the lowest possible. Ideal if the building is under construction. In this case, air ducts can be laid in advance in optimal places. If it is necessary to gouge the walls, the installation cost will increase by about 40%. If the outdoor unit cannot be placed on the roof and will have to be hidden under the floor (and for this to dismantle the floor), this will add about 20% to the cost.

Reverse cycle air conditioning vs Gas heating

A gas heater uses fuel to create heat energy. A reverse cycle air conditioner accumulates heat from the outside air, so this solution is much more energy-efficient. Moreover, by using a reverse cycle air conditioner, you can avoid buying additional heating equipment and save space in the house.

Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning reviews

ActronAir Classic

This model, with cooling capacities from 9.4 kW to 25.15 kW and heating (reverse cycle) from 8 kW to 24.3 kW, costs in the range of $ 1.459 – 2.979. In the rating of ducted air conditioners, this model has earned the following ratings from users (in grades out of 5):

  • 3.7 for the heating / cooling rate;
  • 3, 6 for the build quality;
  • 3.4 for value for money;
  • 4.3 for ease of use;
  • 4.3 – cleaning and care;
  • 3.4 – noise level.

Mitsubishi FDUA

The model has a cooling capacity from 7.1 kW to 20 kW and a heating capacity from 8 kW to 22.4 kW. The cost ranges from $ 2,670 – 6,549. Users awarded grades out of 5:

  • 4.4 – heating / cooling rate;
  • 4.7 – build quality;
  • 4.4 – value for money;
  • 4.7 – ease of use;
  • 4.4 – cleaning and care;
  • 4.4 – noise level.

Daikin FDYQN

This model has a cooling capacity from 7.1 kW to 23.5 kW, a heating capacity from 7.5 kW to 26.8 kW at a price of $ 3,194 – 7,325. Users have awarded this air conditioner the following points:

  • 4.4 – heating / cooling rate;
  • 3.4 – build quality;
  • 3.4 – value for money;
  • 4.2 – ease of use;
  • 4.0 – cleaning and care;
  • 3.2 – noise level.

Reverse cycle air conditioning symbols

Common symbols across all brands:

  • Circle with a vertical line – enable or disable;
  • Plus or minus – decrease or increase the air temperature in the room;
  • Snowflake – the air conditioner operates in cooling mode;
  • Sun – heating mode;
  • Waterdrop – air dehumidification mode;
  • Fan symbol – the air conditioner only ventilates the air, not heating or cooling it;
  • Horizontal or vertical stripes (sometimes they become longer) – the fan speed is higher, the more stripes there are;
  • Letters A or AI, sometimes in combination with a square frame of arrows – the air conditioner will automatically maintain the set temperature;
  • Drawn ear, moon, or finger applied to lips denote silent mode;
  • Multiple beams directed to the side or downward means vertical vibrations of the air conditioner curtains;
  • Beams directed from top to bottom, combined with a double horizontal arrow, indicate horizontal movement of the shutters.
  • Human figurine showing biceps, two broad arrows pointing downward from the air conditioner unit, or the letters Po indicate maximum power (turbo). In this mode, the air conditioner works from 15 minutes to half an hour.

Evaporative vs Reverse cycle air conditioning

An evaporative air conditioner pulls in air from the outside, passes it through the refrigerant, and pushes cold streams into the room. At the same time, the cooled air is more humid. Also, it is necessary to additionally remove warm air from the room, which comes out of the back of the block. A reverse cycle air conditioner handles the same airflows, so warm air does not need to be removed from the room. Also, the reverse allows you to dry the air in the room.

Reverse cycle air conditioning cleaning

This type of air conditioner should be cleaned as it gets dirty. Before that, you need to turn off the device. Then it is necessary to lower the return air grille and remove the filter. By using a vacuum cleaner, you can remove all dust, dirt, and debris that has accumulated on the filter. After cleaning, you can put the same filter back into the device.

FAQ

What is reverse cycle ducted air conditioning?

Such a duct air conditioner has two modes: heating and cooling. Air ducts are located in the walls, so the interior does not spoil the internal blocks.

Are reverse cycle air conditioners expensive to run?

On average, a reverse cycle air conditioner uses $ 0.25–0.35 electricity per hour when cooled. Ducted air conditioning in heating mode consumes between $ 2.45 and $ 3.45 per hour.

Is a heat pump the same as a reverse cycle air conditioner?

A heat pump transfers energy from an external source to the interior of the room. A reverse air conditioner can operate in two modes.

Do reverse cycle air conditioners filter air?

Yes, they can filter, dry or humidify the air.