Aircon guides & answers
Straight answers about air conditioners in South Africa — what size you need, what it costs to buy and run, inverter or not, installation, servicing and fixing common problems. Written by the team at Aircons Online in Centurion.
Aircon tools
Choosing an aircon
- How to choose the right aircon for your home or office A step-by-step buyer’s guide: size, type, inverter or fixed speed, gas, brand, features and installation. Read the guide
- Inverter vs non-inverter aircon: what’s the difference? How inverter compressors work, how much they save, what they cost and when a fixed-speed unit still makes sense. Read the guide
- R32 vs R410A: which aircon gas is better? The two refrigerants in today’s aircons compared on efficiency, climate impact, safety and future rules — plus what to do with an old R22 unit. Read the guide
- Types of aircons compared: midwall, cassette, ducted & more Every type of air conditioner compared — where each one fits, what it costs to install and its pros and cons. Read the guide
- Aircon brands in South Africa compared Samsung, Daikin, LG, Alliance and Midea side by side — what each brand is known for, the range we stock and current prices. Read the guide
Running costs
- How much electricity does an aircon use? Running costs in South Africa Work out what your aircon costs to run per hour, day and month, and how to bring the bill down. Read the guide
- Running an aircon on solar, batteries or backup power What size solar inverter and battery you need to run an aircon, and how to get the most from your system during power cuts. Read the guide
- Best aircon temperature and modes explained The ideal temperature for summer, winter and sleeping, and what Cool, Dry, Heat, Fan, Auto and Sleep modes actually do. Read the guide
- Using your aircon to heat in winter Why a heat-pump aircon is the cheapest way to heat a room with electricity, and how to get the best from it on cold Highveld nights. Read the guide
- Aircon energy ratings explained: SEER, EER, COP and energy labels What the efficiency numbers on an aircon specification sheet mean and how to use them to compare models. Read the guide
Installation
- Aircon installation in South Africa: what to expect Where the units go, what a standard installation includes, what makes it cost more, how long it takes and how to protect your warranty. Read the guide
- Aircon installation rules: electrical CoC, SAQCC Gas and approvals The certificates and approvals involved in installing an aircon in South Africa, and what to ask your installer for. Read the guide
Care & repairs
- Aircon maintenance and servicing: how often and what’s involved What you can do yourself, how often to book a service and what a proper aircon service includes. Read the guide
- How to clean your aircon filters (step by step) A five-minute job that improves cooling, saves electricity and keeps the air fresh. Read the guide
- Aircon not cooling? 10 things to check A quick checklist to find out why your aircon is blowing warm air or not keeping the room cool — and when to call a technician. Read the guide
- Why is my aircon leaking water? The common causes of water dripping from an indoor unit and how to fix them. Read the guide
- Does my aircon need regassing? Why an aircon shouldn’t run low on gas, the signs of a leak, and the right way to fix it. Read the guide
Questions people ask about aircons
No question matches that. Ask us — we usually reply the same working day.
Choosing an aircon
How much should I budget for an aircon?
The unit is the main cost; installation and delivery come on top. Our aircon price guide lists current prices by size, type and brand.
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Can one aircon cool my whole house?
Not a midwall split — it cools the room it is in, and a little of the next one. To cool several rooms with one system, use a ducted unit, or put a split in each room you use most.
More in “How to choose the right aircon for your home or office”
Which room should I air-condition first?
Usually the main bedroom, because good sleep in summer is where most people feel the difference, then the living area that gets afternoon sun.
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Do inverter aircons really save electricity?
Yes, in rooms you cool or heat for several hours a day. The compressor runs at low speed most of the time instead of cycling at full power, so it usually uses noticeably less electricity than a fixed-speed unit of the same size. The saving is small if you only run the aircon for short periods.
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Is an inverter aircon better for solar or a backup inverter?
Yes. It starts gently without a current spike and draws less power once the room is cool, so it is much easier for a solar or battery system to run. See running an aircon on solar.
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Do inverter aircons last longer?
They avoid the constant start-stop cycles that wear a fixed-speed compressor, but they have more electronics. With regular cleaning and servicing both types commonly last ten years or more.
More in “Inverter vs non-inverter aircon: what’s the difference?”
Is R32 gas safe in my home?
Yes, when installed correctly. R32 is classed as mildly flammable (A2L): it is hard to ignite and the amount in a home split is small. It must be installed, pressure-tested and serviced by a qualified technician who follows the manufacturer’s instructions.
Can I put R32 into an R410A aircon?
No. Each unit is designed, tested and labelled for one refrigerant. Never mix gases or convert a unit — it can damage the compressor and void the warranty.
What should I do with an old R22 aircon?
R22 is being phased out, so the gas is increasingly scarce and expensive to top up. If an R22 unit needs a major repair or regassing, replacing it with an R32 inverter is usually the better investment — you also gain lower running costs.
Which type of aircon is the quietest?
Ducted systems are the quietest in the room because the unit is in the ceiling space. Among wall units, inverter midwall splits are very quiet on low speed — compare the indoor sound level (dB) on the specification sheet.
More in “Types of aircons compared: midwall, cassette, ducted & more”
Is a portable aircon worth it?
Only when you can’t install a split, for example in a rental. A portable unit vents heat through a hose to a window, is louder and uses more electricity for the same cooling.
More in “Types of aircons compared: midwall, cassette, ducted & more”
What is a multi-split?
One outdoor unit connected to two or more indoor units, useful when there is space for only one outdoor unit. Ask us if you need one quoted.
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Which aircon brand is the best?
There is no single best brand. Daikin is often chosen for reliability and commercial projects, Samsung and LG for features and design, and Midea and Alliance for value. Picking the right size and a good installer matters more than the badge.
Does the brand affect the warranty?
Warranty periods and conditions differ by brand and model. Most manufacturers require installation by a qualified installer and proof of installation, so keep your invoice and installation certificate.
Running costs
How many watts does a 12000 BTU aircon use?
About 1 100 watts at full output for a modern inverter, dropping to a few hundred watts once the room has cooled. Check the exact power input on the model’s specification sheet.
More in “How much electricity does an aircon use? Running costs in South Africa”
Does an aircon use a lot of electricity?
Less than most people expect. Once the room is cool, a bedroom inverter typically uses about 0.3–0.8 kWh an hour — roughly the same as boiling a full kettle four to eight times. Heating with an aircon also costs far less than an electric bar or oil heater.
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Is it cheaper to leave an inverter aircon on all day?
In a room you use all day, letting an inverter run steadily at a sensible temperature is often cheaper than switching it off and making it pull a hot room down again. For rooms left empty for hours, switch it off or use the timer.
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Can I run an aircon on a 5kW inverter?
Usually one or two bedroom-size inverter aircons, as long as the total of everything running at once stays within the inverter’s rating. Large or fixed-speed units may be too much.
More in “Running an aircon on solar, batteries or backup power”
Can an aircon run during load shedding?
Only on a backup system — solar with batteries, a battery inverter or a generator. Because an inverter aircon uses little power once the room is cool, it is well suited to running from a battery for a few hours.
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Will a generator run my aircon?
Yes, if the generator is large enough for the aircon and anything else connected. An inverter aircon is easier on a generator because it has no large start-up surge.
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Does setting the aircon to 16 °C cool the room faster?
No. The aircon cools at the same rate whatever temperature you set — a low setting just keeps it running until the room is far too cold, using more electricity. Set the temperature you want and use Turbo mode if you need it quicker.
Should I point the louvres up or down?
Up or horizontal when cooling, because cool air sinks; down when heating, because warm air rises.
What is the difference between Dry and Cool mode?
Dry mode concentrates on removing humidity with gentle cooling, so the room feels comfortable without getting cold. Cool mode targets the set temperature.
Is it cheaper to heat with an aircon or a heater?
An aircon. A heat-pump aircon typically produces around three times as much heat per unit of electricity as an oil, fan or bar heater, so the running cost is usually a third or less.
Does an aircon work in very cold weather?
Yes. Modern inverter units keep heating well below freezing, which covers Highveld winters. Heating output drops a little as it gets colder, so size up for very cold rooms.
Why is my aircon blowing cold air on Heat mode?
When heating starts, or during a defrost cycle, the fan waits until the coil is warm, so you may feel a brief cool breeze. If it keeps blowing cold, check that Heat (not Cool or Auto) is selected and that the filters are clean, then call a technician.
What is a good SEER rating for an aircon?
Compare models of the same size: inverter units have much higher seasonal ratings than fixed-speed units, and the highest-rated models cost noticeably less to run in rooms used every day.
More in “Aircon energy ratings explained: SEER, EER, COP and energy labels”
Is a higher BTU less efficient?
Not necessarily. Efficiency is about output per unit of electricity, not size. But an oversized unit cycles on and off and wastes energy, so buy the size the room needs.
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Installation
How long does an aircon installation take?
A standard midwall split takes about half a day. Cassettes, ducted systems and long pipe runs take longer — often a full day or more.
More in “Aircon installation in South Africa: what to expect”
Can I install an aircon myself?
No. The refrigerant and electrical work must be done by qualified, registered people, and most manufacturers only honour the warranty when a qualified installer has installed the unit. See installation rules in South Africa.
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Do I need permission to install an aircon in a complex or estate?
Usually, yes. Sectional-title complexes and estates normally require written approval from the body corporate or HOA, and may have rules about where outdoor units go.
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Do I need a CoC for an aircon installation?
If new electrical work is done — for example a new circuit, plug or isolator — the registered electrician who does it issues a CoC for that work. Ask your installer whether the job includes electrical work and who will certify it.
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What is SAQCC Gas registration?
SAQCC Gas registers practitioners who work with gas, including air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians. Using a registered technician means the refrigerant is handled safely and legally.
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Care & repairs
How often should an aircon be serviced?
At least once a year for home units and every three to six months for commercial units that run daily. Clean the filters yourself every few weeks in between.
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What are the signs my aircon needs a service?
Weaker airflow, a musty smell, water dripping indoors, ice on the pipes, unusual noises, or the room taking longer to cool than it used to.
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Why does my aircon smell bad?
A musty smell usually means dust and mould on the filters, coil or drain. Clean the filters; if the smell stays, book a service to clean the coil and drain.
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Can I run my aircon without filters?
No. Without filters, dust builds up on the coil inside, which reduces cooling, causes smells and leaks, and can only be removed with a professional clean.
What if the filters are torn or won’t come clean?
Replace them. Filters are model-specific — send us the indoor unit’s model number and we will find the right part.
Why is my aircon blowing warm air?
Most often the wrong mode or temperature is set, the filters are clogged, or the outdoor unit isn’t running. If those are fine, a refrigerant leak or a faulty outdoor component is likely — call a technician.
Why is my aircon running but not cooling enough on hot days?
Dirty filters or coils, an outdoor unit in direct sun with poor airflow, or a unit too small for the room. Clean the filters, clear the outdoor unit and compare the room size with the unit’s BTU.
Can low gas stop my aircon cooling?
Yes. An aircon doesn’t use up refrigerant, so low gas means a leak. It should be found and repaired, not just topped up — see regassing.
Is it normal for an aircon to drip water outside?
Yes. Water dripping from the drain pipe outside while cooling is normal — on humid days it can be a steady trickle.
Can I keep using an aircon that leaks water?
It’s better not to. Water can damage walls and ceilings, and it is close to electrical parts. Switch it off and have the drain cleared.
How often does an aircon need regassing?
Never, if it was installed correctly and nothing is damaged. A unit that needs gas every season has a leak that should be repaired.
Is regassing an old R22 aircon worth it?
Often not. R22 is being phased out and is increasingly expensive. If an R22 unit needs a leak repair and regas, compare the cost with a new R32 inverter, which also costs less to run.
Still have a question?
Tell us about the room and we’ll recommend a unit and quote delivery and installation. We reply during business hours (Mon – Fri, 7:30 – 16:30).