A split system is the most popular air conditioning choice in Brisbane homes, and for good reason. It’s efficient, quiet, quick to install, doesn’t require roof space, and lets you cool the rooms you actually use rather than the whole house. For a bedroom, a home office, a living area or a granny flat, a well-chosen inverter split is hard to beat on value.
The system has two parts. The indoor head, mounted high on a wall, contains the evaporator coil and blower. The outdoor condenser, mounted outside on a slab or brackets, contains the compressor and heat-rejection coil. They’re linked by insulated copper refrigeration pipework, control cabling and a condensate drain, all run through a single small penetration in the wall.
We install single-head and multi-head split systems throughout Brisbane, and every job is done by ARCtick-licensed refrigeration technicians with QBCC-licensed electrical support. Almost all of our residential splits are completed in a single visit.
Types of split system we install
- Single-head wall split — one indoor unit to one outdoor unit. The standard choice for a single room.
- Multi-head split — two to five indoor heads running from one outdoor condenser. Ideal for apartments, townhouses and homes where several rooms need cooling but roof space rules out ducted.
- Floor-mounted split — mounted low on the wall. Excellent for Queenslanders and rooms where high wall space is limited by windows or raked ceilings.
- Bulkhead and cassette splits — for spaces where a wall head isn’t practical.
Benefits of a Split System
- Lower installed cost than ducted, typically a third to a quarter of the price for a comparable single-zone outcome.
- Zone-by-zone control. Cool the bedroom overnight without paying to cool the whole house.
- Excellent efficiency. Modern inverter compressors modulate output continuously instead of cycling on and off, which cuts running costs substantially and holds temperature more evenly.
- Very quiet. Good indoor heads run at 19–25 dB on low fan — quieter than a whisper, which matters in bedrooms.
- Reverse cycle heating included on virtually all models, which covers Brisbane’s short cool season efficiently.
- Fast installation — usually 3 to 5 hours, with minimal disruption and one small wall penetration.
- No roof space required, making it the practical option for apartments, low-pitch roofs, flat-roof extensions and Queenslanders.
- Strong dehumidification, which does more for comfort in Brisbane than raw temperature reduction.
- Easy servicing — filters are user-accessible and professional servicing is straightforward and inexpensive.
Our Split System Installation Process
On-site assessment and free quote
We measure the room, note ceiling height, glazing, orientation and insulation, check where the outdoor unit can sit, and inspect your switchboard. Brisbane’s western sun and high humidity both push required capacity up, so we calculate rather than estimate.
Sizing and model recommendation
You get two or three suitable options with honest comparison of efficiency, noise ratings, warranty and features. Correct sizing is critical — an oversized unit short-cycles, leaves the room cold and clammy and wears out faster.
Positioning agreed with you
Indoor head placed for good air distribution and clear of beds and desks in direct airflow. Outdoor unit sited for airflow clearance, service access, minimal noise impact on you and your neighbours, and out of direct afternoon sun where possible.
Protection and setup
Drop sheets, furniture covered, dust control at the drilling point.
Mounting and core drilling
Backplate levelled and fixed into structure. A 65 mm core hole is drilled with a slight downward fall to the outside for condensate drainage.
Pipework, drain and cabling
Copper refrigeration lines flared and connected to torque, fully insulated, with interconnecting cable and drain line run together and neatly secured. External runs are covered with UV-resistant ducting or wrapped for Queensland sun.
Outdoor unit installation
Mounted level on a concrete pad, wall brackets or anti-vibration feet, with adequate clearance for airflow and future servicing.
Electrical connection
Dedicated circuit where required, isolator within sight of the outdoor unit, all terminations tested and an electrical compliance certificate issued.
Pressure test, evacuation and charge
Nitrogen pressure test to confirm a leak-free system, deep vacuum to remove moisture and air, then charge verified and topped to the manufacturer’s weighed specification for the pipe length used.
Commissioning and handover
Run in cooling and heating, temperature split and current draw measured, drainage confirmed, then a walkthrough of the controller, modes, timers, filter cleaning and warranty registration. Site cleaned and rubbish removed.
Indicative Split System Installation Costs
Supply and install, AUD including GST, for a standard back-to-back installation in Brisbane.
System | Suits | Indicative installed price |
2.5 kW single head | Bedroom, study, up to ~20 m² | $1,600 – $2,400 |
3.5 kW single head | Main bedroom, small living, ~25–35 m² | $1,900 – $2,900 |
5.0 kW single head | Living area, ~35–45 m² | $2,400 – $3,500 |
7.1 kW single head | Open-plan living, ~45–60 m² | $2,900 – $4,200 |
8.0 – 9.5 kW single head | Large open-plan | $3,600 – $5,500 |
Multi-head, 2 indoor units | Apartment, townhouse | $4,500 – $7,000 |
Multi-head, 3 indoor units | 3-bedroom home | $6,500 – $10,000 |
Multi-head, 4–5 indoor units | Larger home | $9,000 – $14,000 |
Floor-mounted split, 3.5–5.0 kW | Queenslanders, limited wall space | $2,600 – $4,000 |
Additional costs that may apply: pipe runs beyond 5 m ($55–$90 per metre), wall brackets or roof mounting for the condenser ($250–$600), dedicated circuit ($350–$750), switchboard or safety switch upgrade ($600–$1,800), condensate pump where gravity drainage isn’t possible ($350–$650), removal and degassing of an old unit ($150–$300), scaffold or elevated access ($400+), and body corporate compliant condenser screening.
Brands We Install
- Daikin — the reliability benchmark; excellent inverter control and very quiet indoor heads.
- Mitsubishi Electric — outstanding efficiency and among the lowest sound levels available, ideal for bedrooms.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries — strong dehumidification and excellent value.
- Fujitsu — dependable, widely supported, good mid-range value.
- Panasonic — strong air filtration and solid inverter performance.
- ActronAir — Australian designed and built specifically for Queensland heat.
- LG — good Wi-Fi control, competitive warranties, modern features.
- Samsung — Wind-Free draught-free cooling and clean industrial design.
- Carrier — reliable, well-priced range from a long-established manufacturer.
Service Areas
Split system installation across North Brisbane, South Brisbane, East Brisbane, West Brisbane, Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly, Toowong, Chermside, Carindale, Sunnybank, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands and Moreton Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size split system do I need?
Rough guide for Brisbane: 2.5 kW for a bedroom up to about 20 m², 3.5 kW for 25–35 m², 5.0 kW for 35–45 m² and 7.1–8.0 kW for open-plan living up to about 60 m². Add capacity for western or northern glazing, high or raked ceilings, poor insulation and open stairwells. We calculate this properly on site.
How long does the installation take?
A standard back-to-back single-head installation takes 3 to 5 hours. Longer pipe runs or difficult access add time. Multi-head systems typically take a full day.
How far apart can the indoor and outdoor units be?
Most residential splits allow pipe runs of 15 to 30 metres depending on the model, though performance and cost both favour keeping it short. Runs over about 5 metres usually require additional refrigerant charge, which we calculate and weigh in.
Can I install a split system in an apartment?
Usually yes, but body corporate approval is normally required for the outdoor unit location, external appearance and any penetration through common property. We can provide the technical detail your committee will ask for.
Is a multi-head system better than separate single splits?
It depends. Multi-head saves outdoor space and gives one tidy condenser, which suits apartments and townhouses with limited external area. Separate single splits are usually more efficient, cheaper per room, and if one system fails the others keep running. We’ll recommend based on your property rather than a default.
How noisy is the outdoor unit?
Modern condensers run around 45–55 dB. Brisbane City Council applies noise limits at neighbouring boundaries, particularly at night, so we position the unit with that in mind — away from bedroom windows, on anti-vibration mounts, and clear of surfaces that reflect noise.
Does a split system heat as well?
Yes. Virtually all modern splits are reverse cycle and heat very efficiently — typically producing three to five units of heat per unit of electricity, which makes them by far the cheapest way to heat a Brisbane home in winter.
What maintenance will it need?
Wash the filters every four to six weeks during heavy use, keep the outdoor unit clear of plants and debris, and book a professional service annually. That’s essentially it.
How long will it last?
A quality inverter split, correctly installed and serviced annually, typically lasts 12 to 18 years in Brisbane. Neglected units often fail around year 8. Coastal properties should expect shorter condenser life unless coil coatings and rinsing are attended to.
When should I book?
Autumn or winter. Demand and lead times spike from November onward, and stock of popular sizes can run short mid-summer.
