Picking the Best Aircon for HDB

These three key factors ultimately determine the appropriateness and long-term cost-effectiveness of your aircon selection. Paying close attention to the AC type, brand, as well as the system is how you choose the best air conditioner for your HDB flat.

1. The type of air conditioning unit. What type of air conditioning unit truly fits your cooling needs and preferences? Is it a split type unit, a portable one that won’t require an installation, or a casement aircon? A casement air conditioner, for one, is relatively noisy, while a portable unit will take up valuable floor space. And, while a split air conditioning is more expensive upfront and comes with installation costs, it is far more cost-efficient in the long run both in terms of energy cost and cooling capabilities. Plus, it is also flexible and can be used to cool a bedroom or a bigger area like the living room.
2. The brand of air conditioner. This factor impacts the long-term cost effectiveness of your choice of air conditioning unit. The more popular the brand, the more its future issues are widely understood–which means the simpler the repair jobs involved. However, try to do research, as well, as there are vastly underrated AC brands that will give you more value for your money. In Singapore, the most popular air conditioner brands are Daikin and Mitsubishi. Daikin was chosen by HDB to set up the pioneering centralised air conditioning system in Tengah flats. Meanwhile, Midea, in a side-by-side comparison with other aircon brands, will give you the most bang for your buck–especially in the long-term haul because of the extraordinarily long warranty coverage for parts and the energy-efficiency of the units.
3. The type of air conditioning system. The article “Should I get aircon system 4 or 3 + 1?” can help you make a well-informed choice, in case you are considering a multi-split AC system which is widely adopted all over Singapore. It is not uncommon to see multiple single-split units in landed properties where outdoor space exists for multiple condenser units. But this is not the most energy efficient solution. Your best air conditioning system options for your HDB flat will fall under these two:

• • Single-split air conditioning system. One of the most popular and versatile choices for HDB flats is the split-type air conditioning system. If you live in a small flat or only have one room to cool, a split-type system is a great choice. This type consists of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, connected by refrigerant piping. The outdoor unit, usually placed on the balcony or exterior wall, houses the compressor, while the indoor unit is installed in the room. The single-split air conditioning system is generally more affordable than its multi-split counterpart. It is also space saving. And despite its size, a single-split AC gives a strong cooling performance, making it suitable for a small to medium-sized room.
  • System 2 or multi-split aircon system. For larger HDB flats with multiple rooms, the system 2, system 3, and multi-split aircon systems are all excellent options. Like the single-split systems, multi-split systems use one outdoor unit, but they can be connected to multiple indoor units to cool several rooms. You can typically connect up to two, three, or four indoor units to a single outdoor unit. This system is perfect if you have more than one room to cool. You won’t need separate outdoor units for each room, which saves space and reduces installation costs. Each indoor AC unit also has its own controller, meaning you can set different temperatures for different rooms.