Split air conditioners are one of the simplest ways to get reliable heating and cooling in Canberra – especially when you want comfort in a single room or specific part of the home without the cost of full ducted.
At Delta Air Conditioning & Heating, we help Canberra homeowners choose the right split system (reverse cycle) for real-world conditions: frosty winters, hot afternoons, and the mix of open-plan living plus closed bedrooms that many homes have.
If you’re not sure what size you need, where the indoor head should go, or whether your switchboard and wiring are ready, we can guide you through it and provide a clear, upfront quote.
Split air conditioners vs ducted
A split air conditioner (split system) is typically ideal when you want to heat or cool:
- a bedroom
- a living room
- a home office
- a granny flat or extension
- a small commercial space
Ducted systems can be great for whole-home control, but if you mainly live in a few zones (which most families do), a well-sized split system is often the smarter, faster and more cost-effective option.
Why split systems work so well in Canberra
Canberra’s climate makes reverse cycle especially practical because you’re not just cooling for summer — you’re also heating through winter. ACT programs also highlight reverse cycle heating as an efficient way to heat compared to other options, which aligns with why more locals are switching.
Choosing the right size split system
Sizing is where comfort and efficiency are won or lost. Too small and it runs constantly. Too large and it short-cycles, which can feel drafty and inefficient.
As a rule of thumb, the right capacity depends on:
- room size and ceiling height
- insulation, glazing, and window coverings
- how much afternoon sun the room gets
- whether doors are typically open or closed
- the layout (open plan vs segmented rooms)
Delta can size the unit properly for your room and placement, so you get fast comfort without overpaying for capacity you don’t need.
What to expect during installation
Most split air conditioner installations follow a simple process:
- We confirm the best indoor and outdoor locations for airflow, noise, and access
- We run refrigeration pipework and drainage neatly and safely
- Electrical connection is completed to Australian standards
- We test performance, set the controller up, and show you how to use it efficiently
The result should look clean, run quietly, and deliver even comfort where you actually sit and sleep.
Running costs and efficiency tips
If you want lower running costs without sacrificing comfort:
- set a steady temperature instead of constantly changing it
- use timers or scheduling to pre-warm bedrooms before bed
- keep filters clean for better airflow
- close doors to the conditioned space when you can
- consider Wi-Fi control if you want remote on/off and scheduling (useful, but not essential)
Scheduled maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and keeps your system running efficiently year after year.
Split system servicing and maintenance
Split systems are low maintenance, but they still need servicing to stay efficient and healthy. A simple annual service helps:
- maintain airflow and performance
- reduce odours and mould risk
- catch small issues before they become expensive failures
If your split system is noisy, leaking, not heating properly, or struggling on cold Canberra mornings, it’s worth checking early.
If you’d like help choosing the right split air conditioner for your Canberra home, chat with the Delta Air Conditioning & Heating team. We’ll recommend the right size, the best placement, and provide a clear quote so you can make a confident decision.
Frequently asked questions
What is a split air conditioner?
A split air conditioner has an indoor wall-mounted unit and an outdoor unit connected by pipework. Most modern systems are reverse cycle, meaning they can cool in summer and heat in winter.
What size split system do I need for my room?
It depends on room size, insulation, ceiling height, sun exposure, and layout. The most accurate way is an on-site assessment so the unit is sized for comfort and efficiency.
Are split systems good for Canberra winters?
Yes. Reverse cycle split systems are widely used in Canberra because they provide both heating and cooling and can be very efficient when correctly sized and installed.
Can you install a split air conditioner in an older Canberra home?
In most cases, yes. We assess access, wall construction, drainage, and electrical capacity to confirm the best install approach.
Do I need Wi-Fi for a split system?
No. Wi-Fi is optional. It’s useful for remote control and scheduling, but the system works normally with the standard controller.
How much does split system installation cost in Canberra?
Cost varies based on unit size, placement, pipe run distance, electrical requirements, and access. A quick on-site check allows for an accurate fixed quote.
How often should a split system be serviced?
Many households service annually, especially before winter. It helps maintain efficiency, airflow, and reliability.
Celeste Croteau
1769643631
Excellent customer service both over the phone with Cheryl and with the actual service with Tristin - which was very efficiently and well done. Such... service a rare commodity these days and much appreciated.read more
Rachel Ziv
1767070239
After a really disappointing experience with another air conditioning service in Canberra, we were thrilled with the outcome from Delta air... conditioning. The technician really knew what he was doing, and fixed the problem with our split system unit in less than an hour. Don't waste your time calling other services - get it done right the first time by calling Delta. Thank you guys, you saved us from enduring another sweaty summer 🙂read more
James
1755165747
Good service. Very happy with our central heating ducted system. Servicing is on time, by polite staff
Graeme K
1754354424
Excellent installation by Khai. He came up with a great plan, and left everything clean and tidy. The plan lead to an installation that minimised... holes in walls and hid all internal pipework and cabling in the wall.John (electrician) was also clean and tidy and minimised the disruption from the power outage.Recent works by Mason, John and Khai was also excellent.read more
Peter Poidevin
1753239418
Just like to say if you are thinking of getting your Air conditioner serviced or upgraded I would recommend Delta Air Conditioning by far they have... great customer service on the phone & the best technicians or service employees & are well presented & take pride in there work so don’t hesitate to contact Delta Air Conditioning you won’t be disappointed.read more
Nicole Trim
1751342862
More than impressed overall. Stuart came for a quote and advise on suitable options and informed me of the Govt Loan option. Short turn around time... to install.Johan, James and Kai have done an amazing neat looking install, explaining the process and how best to use and care for the units. Very friendly, efficient and respectful of your home. The Canberra weather turned it on for them and they did not blink. I’m warm and cosy again. Strongly recommend.read more
Danielle Deverell
1749011782
N P
1747801322
I am very satisfied with the excellent work of John the electrician and Khai the installer of Delta Air Conditioning and Heating. Today they... installed a reverse cycle unit in our bedroom. Very courteous and excellent service. 👏read more
Martin
1747370422
Very helpful staff. Even though they did not support the type of heater I have,, they found a solution for my problem that worked for me.
bruce elissa
1747260193
We have two split systems in our house that we recently had serviced by Denelle from Delta. Denelle was friendly, professional and went the extra... mile to demonstrate some of the regular cleaning techniques we could do (e.g. of filters). She was also very nice to our bouncy dog! It’s great to know our systems are good to go for winter, especially with a young bub to keep warm.Thanks again - highly recommended! A++ service!read more
Kerry Gill
1746073183
Great service from John.He came right on time and did a thorough check of all components and advised of some issues we were not aware of.Also... adjusted the settings on interior panel control. In all very happy with the service and would recommend.read more
Emma Hartnall Hall
1744158994
Friendly and competent team.
ruth Davidson
1743823226
Great service and reasonable price. Stuart who came out to quote was very knowledgeable and helped me work out the best option for my needs and... budget, and Khai and John did a great job of the a/c install including making sure I knew how to operate it and how to clean the filter. Would highly recommend.read more
Matt Plaistowe
1743625594
Good communication, professional installation and cleaned up after they’d finished. Took time to understand our needs and were responsive.... Everything’s working well.read more
flown thecoup
1743559936
Absolutely amazing service start to finish. Cheryl was so wonderful to deal with and made booking and payment quick and easy, Rhys provided a quote... same day and Ronald and Johan installed our unit 2 weeks later. The installation was done in a morning and both were polite, no mess was left and the unit looks great. Thanks so much Delta, we are looking forward to a warmer winter!read more
Wendy McLean
1743039681
John was on time to service our air cons. He was very efficient and thorough and courteous. We recommend him.
Natasha K
1742779213
Great work on James and Danelle for fixing our aircon.It was a bit expensive but the service was excellent - friendly, thorough, polite. Great team.
Stu
1741510249
Excellent speedy service, the whole team was very professional from start to finish
D G
1741147691
Thank you Ronald for coming into my office today and servicing our air conditioning with a smile, a considerate attitude and for leaving the place... better than you found it! You have great communication skills and nothing was too much trouble. It was deeply appreciated.Great employee and a great representative for Delta. He's a good one, look after him!Would definitely recommend.read more
Janet Burger
1740700612
Very efficient and excellent service. Can highly remind Delta Air Con
Sarah Avakian
1737499629
Khai was fabulous, can’t believe he could install the very large equipment on his own! He was very personable, friendly, polite and on time. John the... electrician was great. Friendly, polite and professional. Both explained the aspects of the system fully. Couldn’t have asked for more professional service. Thank you Deltaread more
Mike Jones
1734911303
Can’t recommend Delta highly enough, from sales, install and through life service. Great attention to detail for fit and finish of internal and... external componentry, and all pipe & cable runs. Two seperate installs from Delta now, and same great result. Shout out to Dheiu, Gilbert & Khai for this last job.read more
Peter Merriman
1734041264
From Quote to Install great service. Rhys was on time to quote and provided great product info so we could make an informed decision. Installers were... terrific and all went very smoothly. Thanks to all.read more
Diane M
1733971098
From the get go the Delta team have been very responsive and helpful. Bettered a quote for us and scheduled installation in a reasonable... timeframe.Technicians Dheiu and Khai did a great job at installing our new air conditioner. They were both very professional, polite andefficient.read more
andrew adzic
1732595426
Brilliant service and customer support. Really happy with Delta’s work.
Simon G
1731921520
Got back to me quick after the initial enquiry and came and quoted on the spot, slightly cheaper than the other company I got to quote earlier.... Booked in a couple of weeks later and even called to offer an earlier date.Install was professional and very tidy. Went above and beyond to ensure the drainage was discrete.Will definitely use again if needed.read more
Kate Gascoyne
1731049435
The team from Delta (Stuart, Paul, Dheiu and Khai) provided exceptional service right from the quote through to installation. Loved the attention to... detail from Khai who took extra time to make sure the job was done as if it was his own home. I now have two split systems installed - they look and function even better than I had expected. Very happy customer!read more
Christian McDonald
1730286664
Khai did an amazing job on our install, he went above and beyond to such a professional job. Thank you Khai !
Tanya Stewart
1729995774
I had Delta install a ducted reverse cycle system in July this year. Unfortunately some issues with third parties BUT Delta were exemplary with... their customer service and follow up. David and Cheryl were amazing as were all Delta staff who followed up ( apologies but I don't remember the names of all the staff) and fixed our issues.Could not recommend Delta highly enoughread more
Rebecca Betts
1727948365
Great price, quick turn around from Stuart and Team. Friendly support from start to finish. Excellent communication from techs during and after... install. James, Dheiu and Khai were polite, respect and efficient.read more
Guy Allen
1727681087
These folks do a stirling job of keeping our office comfortable year round.
Elliott Harrison
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Laurence Hallam
1726898682
We are very pleased with the attitude and work-skills of Gilbert, Khai and Dheiu. The three air-conditioners they installed are all working very well... and have been neatly fitted. Our thanks to Delta. We would certainly do business with them again.read more
Stacey H
1726885576
I had a fantastic experience with Delta Air-conditioning. From the start, they were incredibly quick to provide a quote and complete the job. The... quote was extremely competitive compared to others.Was particularly impressed by their thoroughness in quoting with Stuart. He went into the roof and found several issues that previous installers had completely missed.The install team Gilbert, Khai, and Dehiu, completed the installation efficiently and to a very high standard. Their attention to detail and expertise gave me confidence that the job was being done right. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the result and would highly recommend their services! Thank you.read more
Rob Rowe
1726647274
Awesome job by the boys at Delta air conditioning/heating.Good quote by Rhys and great job by Dheiu annd Gilbert installing the new unit and taking... out the old one. Thanks boys.read more
Mathew Tolley
1726625525
Happy with the service on our gas ducted unit. Paul was friendly and informative. Highly recommend!
Ashleigh Darcy
1724909794
Everyone we dealt with from the Delta team was fantastic. Stuart sent the quote out really quickly, and the price was the best I had received. The... office staff were great with getting me booked in and keeping me updated, and Khai was absolutely great getting the work done on the day - friendly, professional and cleaned up thoroughly when he was finished. Very happy with the service, we'll definitely be using Delta again.read more
Alan nash
1724058550
The office staff helped us with the pension rebate. The installers where on time and cleaned up everything before leaving. Khai and Dheiu the... electricians arrived shortly after , did some magic wiring, new switch and circuit breaker. Explained how the remote worked, checked everything , cleaned and left. Good job from the whole team. Alan and Dianne. Amaroo.read more
Warwick Finch
1723681036
Another great experience with the Delta team. Mason serviced and made some repairs to our system as part of our regular maintenance. Very... professional and thorough as well as being a great bloke!read more
Sharon Stewart
1722557617
I would like to recommend Delta Air Conditioning Canberra for all your Air Cond services. Stuart did the initial quote and was very friendly and... informative, Units installed yesterday by Kai and Dil, sorry may have the spelling wrong, but they were excellent in their service, friendly and efficient, installation was hassle free.read more
Lisa Keane Elliott
1722329830
I have been dealing with a new and rather frustrating and painful chronic illness this year. Naturally, this is the year Canberra experienced the... coldest winter since I moved here AND my heating decided to die. After 6 weeks being miserable and in pain in a cold, damp flat, Delta Air sent a life-saver out to check my malfunctioning system. Not only did my technician/saviour arrive masked, as requested, he didn't baulk at my OCD-plastic floor coverings. Within 2 hours, he had restored heating to my little flat, serviced the system and demonstrated the best heating settings to thaw out my aching body and my "stuff". Within 2 days, the cold and damp was gone and my revolting body was feeling a little less like a member of the cast of 'Walking Dead'. I shall be getting Delta Air in next year for an annual service in full confidence that it will be another job well done. Thank you!read more
MARIELLA HAMILTON
1721613065
I have been using Delta for many years. I must thank Rhys for his assistance last week.
Richard J Summerrell
1721269435
I chose Delta to purchase an airconditioner from based on the reviews they receive and the awards they have won. From the start I received nothing... but the most professional service: Prompt, efficient, friendly and great communication from all the staff I encountered. Rhys, who did the measuring, product recommendation and quote was exceptionally knowledgable, helpful and friendly. I have no doubt that the technicians doing the installation will also provide 5+ star service. Highly recommended.read more
Cherylanne Moy
1721037279
First time I have used Delta and will definitely be staying with them. Mason sorted all my zone issues and corrected issues with the way the system... was installed as well as serviced the system in 90 minutes. I have used other companies in Canberra and they weren’t half as helpful as Mason. Great service, went the extra mile to fix things and knew what his trade well. Many thanks Mason!read more
chandni0
1720485483
Had the best experience dealing with Delta Air Conditioning and Heating. Super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Very quick turnaround and I... am super appreciative of the time they spent explaining and guiding me in the right direction.read more
Juliana McDonald
1720149926
Delta great from whoa to go. Love the new system - super quiet, easy mounted controls and the wifi controls are a game changer. Also got a discount... in the EOFY sale! Very happy indeed.read more
Tony Lulic
1718572900
Rhys and the team at Delta were absolute lifesavers! After another company left us high and dry, they stepped in promptly and handled our... installation with professionalism and expertise. Rhys was a pleasure to deal with, always keeping us informed and ensuring clear communication throughout the process. I highly recommend Delta for its exceptional service and reliability.read more
Megan Lauder
1718078403
Very prompt service as I called in morning and serviceman was here by lunchtime. The problem was identified and sorted efficiently. I am very happy... to recommend Delta. A brilliant service and I will use them again.read more
Roger and Maria Hancock
1717720531
Very polite, efficient, comprehensive and informative.
