Top 3 Air Conditioners For Your Home in Victoria

A large number of Victorian homes still rely on gas ducted systems, especially ones that were installed a decade ago. Back then, it made sense. Gas was cheaper and ducted heating felt like the most “complete” solution.

But things have changed. 

Gas prices have shot up. Running costs are through the roof. And let’s be honest, heating with gas in 2025 feels like driving a petrol car when everyone else is switching to electric.

That’s why more and more Victorians are moving to energy-efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners. They’re cheaper to run, better for the environment and eligible for generous rebates under the air conditioner rebate Victoria.

And if you’re upgrading, especially if you’ve been using a gas ducted system, this blog is going to be really helpful.

Let’s explore the top 3 air conditioners for Victorian homes right now, what makes them popular and how you can claim your VEU rebate when you switch.

Table of Contents

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1. Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Air Conditioner?
2. What to Look For In An Air Conditioner?
3. Top 3 Brands in Australia for Reverse Cycle- Ducted Air Conditioner
4. Top 3 Brands in Australia for Multi-split Air Conditioner
5. Ducted vs Multi-Split Air Conditioning: Which One’s Right for You?
6. Are These Brands Eligible for the VEU Rebate?
7.  Final Thoughts
8. ‍Frequently Asked Questions

There’s a reason why you are buying a new air conditioner, right? You don’t want to compromise on your comfort anymore. 

Imagine getting a unit that’s too small for your space and now it’s working overtime without ever cooling the room properly. Alternatively, you may opt for something too large, which cools the room too quickly without actually removing humidity, resulting in a feeling that is both weird and uncomfortable.

And then there’s the risk of bad installation. Poor airflow, loud noise, hot spots in some rooms, cold blasts in others… not exactly what you signed up for, right?

Worst case? The system breaks down when you need it the most and you’re stuck waiting days for a repair, sweating (or freezing) in your own home.

That’s why it's essential to select the right air conditioner. One that suits your space, runs efficiently and doesn’t give up on you when you need it the most.

Before jumping into brand names, here are a few key things you should be looking at:

1. Energy Efficiency: Electricity costs in Victoria aren’t getting cheaper. An energy-efficient air conditioner can reduce your power bills significantly and make you eligible for the VEU rebate. Look for:

• High COP and EER ratings
• Inverter technology (saves more power)
• Zoning capability (for reverse cycle ducted systems)

2. Heating + Cooling Performance: Some systems cool well but underperform in heating mode, which is not ideal for Victorian winters. So always check the heating capacity as well. See if you can find reviews about its performance in low outdoor temperatures.

3. Noise Levels: Especially important for bedrooms or smaller homes. To give you context, the noise level of normal conversation we have is typically around 60 dB. Quiet air conditioning systems can operate at a noise level as low as 20-30 dB. 

4. Smart Controls: WiFi control, voice command compatibility and energy usage tracking make your system more user-friendly and efficient. But see if you even need those features. 

 5. Rebate Eligibility: Many people don’t realise this but not all models from a brand qualify for the VEU rebate. More on this below but all the brands we’re about to mention have models that are VEU-approved.

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If you want to know more about choosing the right air conditioner, please read this blog :

Choose the Right Air Conditioner Based on Your Property’s Size & Usage

If you’re after whole-home comfort, reverse cycle ducted systems are often the best investment. They sit discreetly in your ceiling, offer even airflow across multiple rooms and can be zoned to save energy.

Here are the top 3 reverse cycle ducted brands for Victorian homes:

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is a household name for a reason. Known for their reliability and durability, their ducted systems are built to withstand Australia’s climate and Victoria’s extremes are no exception.

Why It’s Great:

1. Zoning Ready: You can control airflow in each room with ease.
   
2. Quiet Operation: Especially impressive with indoor units
   
3. Heating Power: Delivers strong heating performance even in sub-zero temperatures
   
4. Energy Saving Features: Inverter technology, programmable timers and motion sensors

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 ducted air conditioner ticks all the boxes.

Rinnai

When it comes to energy efficiency and smart tech, Rinnai punches above its weight. Their newer ducted systems come with powerful heating capacity that are ideal for chilly Victorian mornings.

Why It’s Great:

1. Smartphone App Control: Control heating and cooling from anywhere
   
2. Compact Outdoor Units: Perfect for smaller backyards or wall-mounted installs
3. ‍Excellent Support Network: Easy access to servicing and spare parts in Victoria

Rinnai’s reverse cycle ducted range works well for households that value both performance and practicality. If your home has limited external space or you want something that integrates smoothly with smart home systems, this is a solid option. It’s particularly appealing for homeowners who want intuitive app control and better energy visibility and of course, eligibility for the VEU rebate only adds to the long-term value.

To read a detailed review about Rinnai air conditioner, please click here.

Panasonic

Panasonic combines energy efficiency with air purification features,  perfect if your family struggles with asthma or allergies.

Why It’s Great:

1. Nano Technology: Air purification built into the system
   
2. Flexible Installation: Slim design suits tight ceiling cavities
   
3. Fast Heating: Great for sudden cold snaps
   
4. Whisper-Quiet: Indoor units operate almost silently

If someone in your home has allergies or asthma or you're just particular about the air you breathe, Panasonic’s built-in purification system might be worth checking out. It’s also a great fit for homes with kids or elderly family members who need a consistent, clean indoor climate.

Multi-split systems are great for homes that need to condition a few rooms but not the whole house. They're more affordable to install than ducted systems and offer room-by-room control.

Let’s explore the top brands for Multi-split systems in Victoria.

Rinnai

Rinnai's Multi-split systems are fast becoming a favourite for Victorian homeowners, especially those renovating or upgrading older heating units.

Why It’s Great:

1. Up to 5 Indoor Units on one outdoor system
2. ‍Turbo function: Quickly cools the room in summer and warms in winters
3. Individual Control: Each room gets its own temperature setting
4. ‍Super fine filter: Keeps fine particles out of home ‍
5. WiFi App Control: Schedule settings remotely‍
6. Energy Efficiency: Inverter tech ensures low running costs

Rinnai’s Multi-split system is an excellent choice for modern, energy-aware households that want personalised comfort without going fully ducted. If you have a home with multiple zones like bedrooms, a study and a living area and each room has its own usage pattern, this setup allows for smart temperature zoning without wasted energy. It’s also ideal for homes that have been extended or renovated over time.

Midea

A rising star in the Australian market, Midea air conditioner systems are competitively priced without compromising on quality.

Why It’s Great:

1. Budget-Friendly: Excellent value for money
   
2. Smart Features: Voice control compatibility
   
3. Quiet Operation: Great for bedrooms and study spaces
   
4. Auto Cleaning Function: Keeps the unit clean and efficient over time‍
5. Energy Efficient: Though it is competitively priced, it doesn’t compromise on energy efficiency

This system suits value-conscious homeowners who don’t want to compromise on functionality. Midea’s Multi-split is especially suitable for smaller homes, investment properties or homeowners experimenting with smart home automation. If you're after features like voice control, custom scheduling and energy-efficient operation without stretching your budget, Midea strikes a strong balance between affordability and innovation.

For a detailed Midea Multi-split air conditioner  review, please read this blog

Midea Multi-Split Air Conditioner Review – Is It the Right Choice?

Mitsubishi

Known for their whisper-quiet systems and powerful heating, Mitsubishi’s Multi-splits are ideal for unpredictable Victorian weather.

Why It’s Great:

1. w-Temperature Heating: Still works effectively in the depths of winter
   
2. Room Zoning: Each unit works independently
   
3. Energy Monitoring: Helps track power usage
   
4. High Reliability: Trusted brand with strong service network

Mitsubishi’s Multi-split is a high-performance solution for homes with varying room sizes and usage needs. It’s ideal for homeowners who want ultra-quiet operation, especially in bedrooms or work-from-home setups as well as those who want more detailed control over energy usage across rooms. It’s also well-suited to older homes being retrofitted with minimal disruption to existing interiors.

Yes,  all the brands we’ve talked about above (Mitsubishi, Rinnai, Panasonic and Midea) have air con models that are approved under the VEU rebate.

That means if you choose an energy-efficient unit that is VEU-approved, from one of these brands, you could get a decent chunk of your cost covered through the air conditioning rebate. It’s a nice way to save some money upfront, especially if you’re going for a slightly better system.

Now, not every air con from these brands will qualify. Only the models that meet the government’s energy efficiency standards are eligible. So it’s super important to pick the right one.

If you’re not sure which model is covered, you can always check with your accredited provider. You can even contact EcoOrigin. We will do a free site assessment and we will suggest the right air conditioner for your space according to that. 

And we will also make sure that everything meets VEU criteria.

Picking the right air conditioner is really important, as you spend so much time in the space. If it’s not the right fit, it might run too hard, cool unevenly or cost you more than it should.

If you’re building your home, renovating one or just tired of feeling uncomfortable, upgrading your system is one of the smartest things you can do. It adds value, makes your day-to-day easier and keeps your energy bills in check.

As mentioned in this blog, brands like Rinnai, Mitsubishi, Panasonic and Midea are really good options to consider. However, if you want a specific recommendation, please reach out to us. As your accredited provider, we will ensure compliance to the VEU programme and help you claim it.

1. How do I know which air conditioner is right for my home?

It depends on a few things: your home’s size, layout, insulation, number of rooms and even how much sun it gets during the day. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to talk to a professional who can actually assess your space and guide you. That’s what the free consult with EcoOrigin is for.

2. What are the top 3 brands of air conditioners?

‍If you’re looking for reliable, efficient and well-supported brands in Victoria, the top 3 would be Rinnai, Mitsubishi and Panasonic. 

3. Which air conditioner brand is best in Australia?

There’s no one answer to this because everyone has different needs. Still, we would say Mitsubishi and Rinnai consistently top the list. They’re known for their performance, quiet operation and energy efficiency, which is super important with rising power costs. Both brands also have models that qualify for the VEU rebate, which helps bring down the upfront price.

4. What is the best brand of home air conditioner?

That really depends on your home and what you need from the system. Mitsubishi and Panasonic are excellent for whole-home ducted solutions,  they’re reliable, easy to maintain and perform well year after year. If you want flexibility and don’t need to cool or heat every room at once, Rinnai or Midea Multi-split systems are a smart choice. 

5. Which type of AC is best for home?

Both reverse cycle ducted systems and Multi-split systems are great. It just depends on your setup. Reverse cycle ducted systems work best if you want even temperature control throughout the house and you prefer something that’s tucked away and quiet. Multi-splits are perfect if you want more control over individual rooms or zones. 

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