Daikin vs. Mitsubishi Electric vs. Panasonic: Best Ducted Aircon for Your Victorian Home
Major Benefits
Old gas heating: out, smart climate control: in.
For years, gas ducted systems were the go-to for comfort. A decade ago, they were the "complete" solution. But let's face it, 2025 has a new standard. Gas prices have skyrocketed, running costs are eye-watering and heating with fossil fuels feels as outdated as a dial-up telephone.
The future is electric, efficient and smarter. More and more Victorian homeowners are making the switch to reverse-cycle ducted aircons because they get superior comfort while saving significantly on energy bills. And here's the best part: thanks to the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, you can unlock generous air conditioner rebates, making the transition even more affordable. Think of it as the ultimate upgrade for your home and your wallet!
If you're ready to leave behind your old gas system and embrace modern, eco-friendly climate control, this guide is your essential roadmap. We'll dive deep into the leading contenders: Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric and Panasonic by comparing their strengths to help you find the perfect ducted aircon for your Victorian home.
EcoOrigin is here to help you navigate the options and ensure you maximise your Victorian energy rebate, potentially even qualifying for free air conditioning rebates through government incentives. Let’s find your perfect match for year-round comfort and unbeatable efficiency.
Table of Contents
- Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Ducted Air Conditioner?
- What to Look For in a Ducted Air Conditioner?
- Top Brands for Reverse Cycle Ducted Aircons: Daikin vs. Mitsubishi Electric vs. Panasonic
- The VEU Rebate Process: How EcoOrigin Helps
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
You want to upgrade your comfort, not compromise it. Choosing the right ducted aircon ensures your entire space is properly heated or cooled. Too small and it works overtime without results. Too large and it cools too fast without removing humidity, leading to a weird, uncomfortable feel.
Poor installation can cause airflow issues, loud noise and uneven temperature zones across your home. Worst-case scenario? Your system breaks down when you need it most. That’s why selecting the right ducted air conditioner is crucial, one that suits your space, runs efficiently and qualifies for the air conditioner rebate Victoria.
Before choosing a brand, keep these factors in mind, specific to ducted systems:
Home Structure and Layout
Crucial details about your home's structure will influence the best ducted system for you. Consider your floor plan, room dimensions, window and door size/position/orientation, construction type, insulation levels, number of occupants and the main use of each area. Also assess the ceiling cavity space and limitations of outdoor spaces for the compressor unit. Larger systems might also require a three-phase power supply, which can add to installation costs.
Energy Efficiency
High COP and EER ratings, inverter technology and robust zoning control can dramatically reduce energy bills and help you qualify for the VEU rebate. For example few models in Daikin’s premium inverter ducted reverse-cycle systems offer a COP of up to 4.97 and EER of 4.30, while Panasonic’s NX series reaches COP values around 4.80 and EER up to 4.27 on popular units like the S-100PE1R5A. Mitsubishi Electric ducted models, such as the PEA-RP100WJA, offer a COP of 4.13 and EER of 3.51.
Look for models with strong overall running costs performance, which can sometimes differ from peak cooling efficiency ratings. To reduce running costs, remember to close windows and doors, shade windows and set your thermostat to around 25°C in summer and 20°C in winter
Heating + Cooling Performance
Reverse cycle ducted systems provide both heating and cooling across multiple rooms. Be sure the unit performs exceptionally well in low outdoor temperatures, essential for Victorian winters. Consider the operating temperature range for consistent comfort.
Noise Levels
Quiet ducted units operate at 20–30 dB, ensuring minimal noise disturbance throughout your home, especially important for discreet integration into living spaces and bedrooms. Compare both indoor and outdoor sound pressure and power levels.
Smart Controls
Features like WiFi control, voice command and energy tracking enhance usability, allowing you to manage your whole home's climate from anywhere. Look for intuitive apps and precise zoning capabilities. Hard-wired wall-mounted controls are standard, with options for multiple controllers in larger houses.
Air Quality
Beyond temperature, consider systems that offer advanced air purification technologies to help remove allergens, viruses and odours, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.
Ducting Quality
Ensure the ducting used is thermally efficient and meets the Australian Standard for ductwork (AS 4254) for optimal performance and energy efficiency.
Rebate Eligibility
Not all ducted models qualify for the VEU rebate. EcoOrigin only recommends VEU-approved models that qualify for the air conditioner rebate.
Daikin vs. Mitsubishi Electric vs. Panasonic
Here’s a comparison of reverse-cycle ducted models from Daikin, Panasonic and Mitsubishi Electric
Ducted systems are the ideal solution for whole-home comfort with discreet operation and zoning capabilities. Many models also qualify for the air conditioner rebate Victoria which makes them a lot cheaper than they actually are.
Daikin
Daikin positions itself as an aircon specialist, dedicating its expertise solely to heating and cooling solutions. Their FDYAN Series ducted systems are a very popular choice for Victorian households and there are multiple reasons to back this popularity.
As a specialised aircon company for nearly a century, Daikin brings extensive research and innovation to its products.
Apart from that it offers following benefits :
Reliable Performance: Known for consistently high performance and durability, backed by a strong service network and a 5-year parts and labour warranty.
Smart Connectivity: Offers smart Wi-Fi connectivity via the Airbase app for smartphone control and integration with smart home systems like Google Home.
Heating Performance: Operates reliably in temperatures down to -15°C, providing solid heating for most Victorian winters.
The Daikin FDYAN100AV1 and FDYAN125AV1 models are particularly suited to medium-to-large Victorian homes due to their excellent COP ratings and quiet operation. Daikin ducted aircons are an excellent option for homeowners who value a system from a brand with a singular focus on air conditioning excellence and dependable performance.
Mitsubishi Electric
A trusted name in Australian households, Mitsubishi Electric’s ducted systems, particularly the PEAD-M Series, are built for reliability and performance, perfectly handling Victoria’s climate extremes.
Exceptional Quiet Operation: Especially impressive with indoor units, ensuring minimal noise disturbance throughout your home.
Energy Saving Features: Advanced inverter technology ensures low running costs, especially when used with effective zoning.
Heating Power: Delivers strong heating performance, crucial for sub-zero Victorian winters.
Robust Build: Designed for long-lasting performance and reliability.
These systems are great for larger homes or families who want year-round comfort without constantly fiddling with settings. If you’re after something reliable, low-maintenance and built to last, a Mitsubishi Electric PEAD-M125JA or PEAD-M100JA ducted aircon ticks all the boxes, potentially qualifying for a significant air conditioning rebate.
Panasonic
Panasonic combines its reputation for cutting-edge electronics with a strong emphasis on indoor air quality and efficiency in its NX Series ducted air conditioning range.
Nanoe™X Technology: A standout feature for air purification, directly integrated into the ducted system. It helps eliminate odours, allergens, airborne viruses and bacteria for healthier indoor air—perfect for families concerned about respiratory health.
Wider Operating Temperature Range: Offers reliable heating performance in colder conditions, operating effectively in temperatures as low as -20°C—a wider range than some competitors.
Superior Indoor Quietness: Generally has quieter indoor sound power levels across various fan speeds, contributing to a more peaceful home environment.
Competitive Running Costs: Despite similar Energy Star ratings to competitors for cooling, Panasonic often demonstrates lower overall annual running costs.
Precise Airflow Control: While Daikin may have a higher maximum airflow, Panasonic’s NX Series systems often provide more granular control over both temperature and airflow in each individual zone, enhancing tailored comfort.
Competitive Pricing: Panasonic ducted systems generally offer more competitive pricing compared to some other premium brands, providing excellent value for money.
Smart Connectivity: Features the Panasonic Comfort Cloud app for comprehensive smartphone control and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Panasonic S-100EAK1H and S-125EAK1H models are standout performers in the NX Series, ideal for households wanting purification, energy efficiency and strong rebate eligibility. Panasonic is a compelling option for homeowners who prioritise not only efficient heating and cooling but also advanced air purification for a healthier home environment and can often qualify for the Victorian government free air conditioning rebate where applicable.
Switching to an energy-efficient ducted aircon is made even easier with the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. Here’s a simplified process:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Confirm your household or business is eligible for the VEU program and the Victorian Energy Rebate.
You can check the requirements here.
Step 2: Contact an Accredited Provider
To qualify for the Victorian energy upgrade rebate, you must work with an accredited provider like EcoOrigin. An accredited provider helps you select the right model for your home that is eligible under the Victorian Energy Upgrade rebate. For installations in New South Wales, you would contact an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP) under the NSW Energy Saving Scheme, which offers similar incentives.
Step 3: Choose Eligible Products
The VEU scheme does not approve specific brands but rather individual air conditioning models that meet stringent energy efficiency standards. EcoOrigin ensures you select a VEU-approved ducted model, eligible for the air conditioning rebate.
Step 4: Book Installation
Schedule a professional, seamless installation with EcoOrigin’s experienced A-Class Installers.
Step 5: The Rebate is Applied as an Upfront Discount
When you work with an Accredited Provider (AP) like EcoOrigin, the rebate is applied upfront as a direct discount on your installation cost. We simplify the process and manage all the necessary paperwork on your behalf. You will need to provide basic details and confirm eligibility, but EcoOrigin streamlines the entire journey, making it hassle-free. This means you can get your victorian government free air conditioning rebate applied directly.
It’s important to understand that while consulting a provider like EcoOrigin is incredibly helpful, VEU providers cannot change rebate amounts or guarantee maximum benefits; rebates are fixed by the program’s guidelines and based on the energy savings of the specific model installed. Additionally, there is a minimum customer contribution of $1,000 (inc. GST) per product for all ducted RCACs.
Selecting the ideal ducted air conditioner for your Victorian home from manufacturers like Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric or Panasonic is a crucial choice. It may run too hard, cool unevenly or increase your energy bills if it is not a good fit.
One of the best things you can do is upgrade to a modern, energy-efficient ducted air conditioner if you're building a new home, remodelling an existing one or are just sick of being uncomfortable. It adds value, simplifies daily tasks and lowers energy costs.
Many Victorian homes have already benefited from EcoOrigin's assistance in upgrading their ducted air conditioners, which has resulted in notable average energy bill savings in a matter of months.. While specific savings vary by household and system, our customers typically see noticeable reductions in their monthly, half-yearly and annual energy costs.
As mentioned in this blog, brands like Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin and Panasonic are really good options to consider for ducted systems. For a specific recommendation tailored to your home, please reach out to us. As your Accredited Provider, EcoOrigin will ensure compliance with the VEU program and help you claim your rebate, making your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.
1. Which is better, Panasonic or Daikin ducted?
Both Panasonic and Daikin offer excellent ducted systems. Panasonic stands out with its Nanoe™X air purification and competitive pricing, while Daikin is known for its deep HVAC expertise and overall reliability. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise advanced air quality features and value (Panasonic) or specialised industry focus and robust performance (Daikin).
2. Which brand is best for ducted air conditioning?
The "best" ducted air conditioning brand truly depends on your specific needs, home and priorities. However, Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric and Panasonic are consistently top contenders in Victoria, each offering high-quality, energy-efficient ducted systems that qualify for rebates.
3. Which is better, Mitsubishi or Daikin?
Both Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin are highly regarded for ducted systems. Mitsubishi Electric excels in quiet indoor operation, strong heating and a robust build, while Daikin is praised for its dedicated HVAC expertise, reliable performance and smart connectivity. The ideal choice depends on your preference for whisper-quiet operation and durability (Mitsubishi Electric) versus specialised reliability and smart features (Daiken).
4. Which AC brand is better, Daikin or Panasonic?
For ducted systems, both Daikin and Panasonic are strong choices. Panasonic offers unique benefits like Nanoe™X air purification, a wider operating temperature range and often more competitive pricing, while Daikin is known for its long-standing HVAC expertise and dependable performance. Your preference should guide the decision.
5. Which is better, Panasonic or Mitsubishi AC?
Panasonic ducted systems often feature Nanoe™X air purification, a wider operating temperature range and competitive pricing. Mitsubishi Electric is highly regarded for its exceptional quiet operation, strong heating performance and robust, reliable build quality. The best choice depends on whether air purification and value or extreme quietness and durability are your main priorities.
