Rising temperatures and a strong economy are just two of the reasons why Australia has become the split system air conditioning capital of the world.
Despite population size, Australia is one of the few countries in the world where there are two split system units per household – one in the living room and one in the main bedroom.
Expert Group principal consultant, Michael McCann, said the Australian market is unique because there has been continual solid growth since 2012 when annual sales topped a million units a year.
“This was the year the price of equipment came down and sales channels increased,” he said.
McCann has been collecting data on the Australian market since 2006 and had assumed the market would be saturated by now.
“Instead it has continued to increase every year. There has been no spikes or dips, the market has been heading in one direction and that's upward,” he said.
“Surprisingly there are no signs of it slowing with 2016 data showing unit sales topped 1.3 million units.”
There has been some shifts in the market but they are all positive. For example, McCann said buyers are finding more applications for split systems particularly in retail and aged care, places where they weren't being used previously.
“The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for this market is currently more than five per cent,” he said. “Moreover, there is a strong replacement market for equipment that was installed in the 90s and into the 2000s. The cost of servicing and repairs is relatively high. Around 500,000 units per year are replacements.”
Further underpinning demand in Australia is rising temperatures including the worst drought in living memory in large parts of NSW and Queensland which has been accompanied by an increase in heatwaves.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, some of the hottest years on record in Australia have happened in the past five years and it is likely to get worse in years to come.
Rising temperatures in Australia are part of a worldwide trend with 2018 shaping up to be the fourth hottest year on record globally. It's just one of many factors driving the split system air conditioning market.
To meet growing demand, Daikin Australia has just launched the new Zena designer series incorporating new innovations such as a Flash Streamer unit, Built-in Wi-Fi and a Grid Eye sensor.
Available in four capacities from 2.5kW to 6.0kW, the larger capacity 6.0kW model will broaden the appeal of Zena for application into standard living areas, moving beyond just bedrooms according to the company’s national product manager, Raj Singh.
Aesthetics and sleek design has contributed to its popularity and the new series will impress with a 31% reduction in indoor unit size, whilst delivering a 5.5 Star Rating Index (25 Class, Cooling).
“The Zena series known for its stylish design is now available in Black Wood or White Hair Line finish to look smart in any homes interior,” Singh said.
“Additional features such as the Grid Eye sensor ensures even temperatures in the space whilst the built-in Wi-Fi enables you to control your unit remotely.
“Apart from delivering air-conditioned comfort into your home, Zena will also be equipped with our new proprietary Flash Streamer Technology. “
With Daikin split systems already approved by the National Asthma Council, this new technology will further improve the indoor air quality of your home.