3.5kW split systems, compared by what they cost to run
Every 3.5kW split system we install, from the cheapest to run to the dearest. Each yearly cost is the energy figure on the unit's official label, at the middle price of Sydney power plans (31.79c a kWh, including GST). The cheapest and the dearest are $69 a year apart.
Every 3.5kW split system we install
Yearly cost to cool and heat, at the middle price of Sydney power plans (31.79c a kWh, including GST).
| Model | Size | Stars | Noise | Cost a year | Add to quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Daikin Alira X 3.5kWFTXM35AVMA / RXM35AVMA | 3.5 kW cooling3.7 kW heating | 5 cooling3.5 heating | 58 dB inside61 dB outside | $189$68 cooling, $121 heating | |
 2Rinnai PB Series 3.5kWHSNRP35B | 3.5 kW cooling3.8 kW heating | 5 cooling3.5 heating | 56 dB inside59 dB outside | $196$69 cooling, $127 heating | |
 3ActronAir Serene 3.5kWWRE‑035DS | 3.5 kW cooling3.9 kW heating | 6 cooling3.5 heating | 59 dB inside60 dB outside | $197$62 cooling, $135 heating | |
 4Carrier Indigo 3.5kW42QAG035N8 / 38QAG035N8 | 3.5 kW cooling3.75 kW heating | 5 cooling3 heating | 56 dB inside59 dB outside | $201$70 cooling, $131 heating | |
 5Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-AP 3.5kWMSZ‑AP35VGKD2 | 3.5 kW cooling3.7 kW heating | 4.5 cooling3.5 heating | 57 dB inside59 dB outside | $203$75 cooling, $128 heating | |
 6Fujitsu Lifestyle 3.5kWASTG12KMTC | 3.5 kW cooling3.7 kW heating | 4.5 cooling3 heating | 55 dB inside59 dB outside | $208$75 cooling, $133 heating | |
 7MHI Avanti 3.5kWDXK12ZSA‑WF1 | 3.5 kW cooling3.7 kW heating | 4 cooling3 heating | 57 dB inside62 dB outside | $216$82 cooling, $134 heating | |
 8Daikin Cora 3.5kWFTXV35WVMA / RXV35WVMA | 3.5 kW cooling3.7 kW heating | 4.5 cooling2.5 heating | 58 dB inside61 dB outside | $217$73 cooling, $144 heating | |
 9Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-LN 3.5kWMSZ‑LN35VG | 3.5 kW cooling4.0 kW heating | 4 cooling3.5 heating | 55 dB inside58 dB outside | $219$81 cooling, $138 heating | |
 10=Panasonic RZ 3.5kWCS‑RZ35XKR / CU‑RZ35XKR | 3.5 kW cooling4.0 kW heating | 4 cooling3 heating | No figure | $220$77 cooling, $143 heating | |
 10=Panasonic Z Series 3.5kWCS‑Z35AKRW | 3.5 kW cooling4.0 kW heating | 4.5 cooling3 heating | 60 dB inside64 dB outside | $220$76 cooling, $144 heating | |
 10=TCL BreezeIN 2.0 3.5kWTAC‑13CHSD/VFIH | 3.53 kW cooling3.65 kW heating | 4 cooling3 heating | 54 dB inside64 dB outside | $220$82 cooling, $138 heating | |
 13MHI Avanti Plus 3.5kWSRK35ZSXA‑WF | 3.5 kW cooling4.3 kW heating | 4 cooling3.5 heating | 58 dB inside61 dB outside | $223$77 cooling, $146 heating | |
 14MHI Ciara 3.3kWDXK12ZTLA‑WF | 3.3 kW cooling3.8 kW heating | 3 cooling3 heating | 59 dB inside61 dB outside | $235$91 cooling, $144 heating | |
 15=Daikin Lite 3.5kWFTXF35WVMA | 3.5 kW cooling3.7 kW heating | 3.5 cooling2.5 heating | 58 dB inside60 dB outside | $237$89 cooling, $148 heating | |
 15=Daikin Zena 3.5kWFTXJ35T2VMAW / FTXJ35T2VMAK | 3.5 kW cooling3.7 kW heating | 3.5 cooling2.5 heating | 58 dB inside61 dB outside | $237$90 cooling, $147 heating | |
 15=LG DUALCOOL AI 3.5kWAS12S0N/AS12S0U | 3.5 kW cooling3.7 kW heating | 3.5 cooling2.5 heating | 59 dB inside58 dB outside | $237$87 cooling, $150 heating | |
 15=Rinnai T Series 3.5kWHINRT35B / HONRT35B | 3.5 kW cooling4.0 kW heating | 5 cooling2.5 heating | 57 dB inside61 dB outside | $237$71 cooling, $166 heating | |
 19Hisense J-Series 3.5kWHAWJ12KR | 3.5 kW cooling3.8 kW heating | 3.5 cooling2.5 heating | 59 dB inside61 dB outside | $243$88 cooling, $155 heating | |
 20Samsung AI Smart AIRISE WindFree 3.5kWAR12BXECNWKNSA / AR12BXECNWKXSA | 3.5 kW cooling4.0 kW heating | 4 cooling2.5 heating | 57 dB inside62 dB outside | $245$81 cooling, $164 heating | |
 21Samsung Aero 3.5kWAR12DXFZCWKNSA / AR12DXFZCWKXSA | 3.5 kW cooling4.0 kW heating | 4 cooling2.5 heating | 57 dB inside62 dB outside | $248$84 cooling, $164 heating | |
 22Fujitsu Comfort 3.4kWASTH12KNCA | 3.4 kW cooling4.0 kW heating | 3.5 cooling2.5 heating | 55 dB inside65 dB outside | $252$87 cooling, $165 heating | |
 23Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-EF 3.5kWMSZ‑EF35VG | 3.5 kW cooling4.0 kW heating | 3.5 cooling2.5 heating | 53 dB inside59 dB outside | $258$93 cooling, $165 heating |
Source: Australian GEMS registry · median of 170 Sydney residential tariffs, including GST · Refreshed monthly · Last updated September 2026. Stars are for the energy label’s average climate zone, which includes Sydney. Noise is the sound level on the energy label, in decibels. Mitsubishi Electric makes the MSZ-AP, the MSZ-LN and the MSZ-EF. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI in the table) makes the Avanti, the Avanti Plus and the Ciara. They are two different companies.
What the numbers mean
More heating output, more energy a year
Heating output here runs from 3.65 to 4.3 kW. On the energy label, a unit with more output also uses more energy over a year, even when it is just as efficient. To compare efficiency, look at the stars: more stars, less energy for the same job.
How loud they are
Lower is quieter. On the energy label, the indoor units here range from 53 to 60 decibels and the outdoor units from 58 to 65. For the indoor unit, brochures often print a different measure (sound pressure), which reads lower than the label.
Cost for an hour
At the size in the table, these units cost 24c to 31c an hour to cool and 24c to 33c an hour to heat. That is at 31.79c a kWh. For your bill, the yearly figures in the table are the better guide.
Western Sydney and Wollongong
Western Sydney and Wollongong are on a different power network, Endeavour Energy. The middle price there is 30.65c a kWh, including GST. The same units cost $182 to $248 a year there.
A 3.5kW cools up to about 25 to 29 m²
That is a main bedroom or a small living room: up to 29 m² if the room faces north and 25 m² if it faces east, insulated, in the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries sizing chart. West-facing windows, high ceilings and poor insulation mean you need more.
For a smaller room, compare 2.5kW split systems. For a bigger one, compare 5kW split systems.
Prefer nothing on the wall? We also install 2 cassette systems, 1 bulkhead / slim duct unit and 1 floor console unit in this size.
What sets the installed price
- The length of pipe between the indoor and outdoor units. This changes the price most.
- Access: a second storey, a wall bracket up high, the wall the pipe goes through.
- Your switchboard and power supply.
The government register lists 22 of these 23 units as single-phase and none as three-phase. The installation cost guide covers each item. We give you a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
3.5kW split systems, answered
How much does a 3.5kW split system cost to run in Sydney?
A 3.5kW split system here costs $189 to $258 a year to cool and heat. That is at the middle price of Sydney power plans (31.79c a kWh, including GST). The cheapest to run is the Daikin Alira X 3.5kW. Your own bill depends on how many hours you use it and on your power plan.
Is a 3.3 or 3.4 kW split system the same as a 3.5kW?
Yes, for choosing a size. 21 of the 23 units here are rated 3.5 kW. The other 2 are rated 3.3 or 3.4 kW, and this page lists them all.
What size room will a 3.5kW air conditioner cool?
Up to about 29 m² in an insulated room that faces north, or 25 m² if it faces east, in the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries sizing chart. West-facing windows, high ceilings or poor insulation mean you need more, so size your room before you choose.
How loud is a 3.5kW split system?
On the energy label, the indoor units here range from 53 to 60 decibels and the outdoor units from 58 to 65. Lower is quieter. The quietest indoor unit is the Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-EF 3.5kW.
How much does a 3.5kW split system cost installed?
It depends on the job. The length of pipe between the indoor and outdoor units, access (a second storey, a wall bracket up high) and your switchboard all change the price. Our installation cost guide explains each one. Ask for a quote and you get a fixed price in writing first.
Guides & advice
Buying guideWhat size air conditioner do I need? Room size to kW
Air conditioner size is measured in kilowatts, not the physical box on the wall, and getting it right is the difference between a system that quietly keeps up and one that costs more and never feels comfortable. Here is how to go from your room to a sensible kW range, what shifts that number, and how we size it against real systems.
Read
Energy & costsSame size, different bill: what the energy star rating is worth in dollars
At 7 kW, the 2-star and the 4-star wall splits we install are $111 a year apart to run at the Sydney median rate; at 2.5 kW the whole field spans $73. Here is what a star is worth, size by size, from the official figures.
Read
Energy & costsWhat reverse-cycle heating costs in a Sydney winter
In the official Sydney-zone figures, every one of the 276 rated models we install uses more energy heating than cooling. A bedroom split runs $86 to $125 a winter at the Sydney median rate, a 7 kW living-room split $283 to $363, a 14 kW ducted system $528 to $874.
Read
Let’s get your place comfortable.
Free fixed-price quotes in writing before any work starts, and a local team that turns up when they say they will.