Split System Air Conditioning
One room done properly,
installed in a day, not a week.
A split system cools or heats a single room or open-plan area without the cost or disruption of ductwork. It's the fastest, most common upgrade we do for homes across the Illawarra and Sydney, bedrooms, living areas and granny flats alike.
Cooling and heating for the room that needs it
Not every home needs a whole-house system. A split system handles a single bedroom, a living area, a home office or a granny flat, and it does it with one indoor unit, one outdoor condenser and a remote, without the cost or roof access needed for ducted work. Reverse cycle models heat in winter as well as cool in summer, which makes a single unit do the job of a heater and an air conditioner in one.
It's also the practical answer for renters upgrading a landlord-approved fixture, or homeowners who want one problem room fixed without touching the rest of the house. Installed properly, a split system is one of the quickest ways to make a hot upstairs bedroom or a north-facing living room usable again through summer.
From assessment to a working system the same day
Step 1
Room assessment
We check the room's size, insulation, window area and orientation to confirm the right capacity unit, along with where the outdoor unit can sit.
Step 2
Fixed quote
You get brand, model and capacity confirmed in writing before install day, not a vague price range.
Step 3
Install
Certificate 3 trade qualified tradesmen mount the indoor unit, position the outdoor condenser, run the refrigerant lines and complete the electrical connection, usually in a single day for a standard install.
Step 4
Commissioning and handover
The system is tested, signed off to Australian standards and you get a walkthrough of the remote and any smart controls.
Step 5
First-year maintenance
Two included visits in the first twelve months to check refrigerant levels, filters and the outdoor unit.
When to choose split over ducted
If you're cooling one or two rooms, a split system almost always wins on cost and install time. If you're conditioning a whole house or a large open-plan renovation, ducted usually makes more sense despite the higher upfront cost. Full detail on ducted air conditioning, including typical pricing, sits on its own page, and the shared install process is covered on the installation pillar.
Sized for the room, not sold off a price list
A split system that's too small for the room runs constantly and never quite gets there. One that's too big short-cycles and leaves the room feeling clammy instead of properly dry and cool. Standby sizes every unit against the actual room, not a generic capacity chart, and every install carries a free first year of maintenance with two visits included, so a refrigerant leak or a dirty filter gets caught early rather than after the unit's already struggling.
Licensed, insured and accredited
Common questions
How much does a split system air conditioner cost to install?
A standard single-room split system install typically runs $2,000 to $3,500, depending on unit capacity, brand and how far the outdoor unit sits from the switchboard. An eligible NSW ESS rebate can bring $200 to $300 back off that. We confirm an exact figure after a site visit.
How long does a split system installation take?
A standard single-unit install is usually completed in a day. Multi-room or multi-head systems with more than one indoor unit connected to a single outdoor condenser can take longer, depending on cable and pipe runs between rooms.
Can one outdoor unit run more than one indoor split system?
Yes, that's called a multi-head system, and it's a common way to cover two or three rooms without multiple outdoor condensers cluttering the exterior of the house. It costs more than a single split but less than a full ducted system.
What size split system do I need for my room?
Capacity is driven by room size, ceiling height, insulation, window area and which way the room faces, not floor area alone. A north-facing room with large windows needs more capacity than a similarly sized south-facing room with good insulation. We size it during the site assessment rather than guessing off a chart.
Does a split system qualify for the NSW government rebate?
If the unit meets the efficiency criteria under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, yes. Standby is an accredited NSW Government rebate installer. Full eligibility detail is on our dedicated rebate page.
Related pages
Reliable cooling, when you need it most.
Whether it is a new installation, planned maintenance or a breakdown, Standby Services gives you a clear way forward.