As the Energy Rating website (a joint initiative of Australian, state and territory and New Zealand governments) points out, space heating and cooling appliances account for around 40% of household energy use in Australia.

Add this to further statistics (from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water), which state that residential buildings are responsible for around 24% of overall electricity use and more than 10% of total carbon emissions in Australia, and it becomes clear that the way we keep our homes warm in winter and cool in summer is by no means trivial.

While passive design has a critical role to play here, according to many, so too do space heating and cooling appliances.

“Although principles of passive design will always be a strong foundation, Australian buildings will continue to need some form of mechanical heating and cooling functionality for occupant comfort and health,” says Amanda Searle, CEO of ARBS, which is Australia’s largest heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration (HVAC&R) and building services event.

In other words, homeowners and designers increasingly view mechanical heating and cooling as core infrastructure rather than optional add-ons.

According to Searle visitors to ARBS this year, which takes place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from May 5-7, can expect to see numerous air conditioning systems designed with energy efficiency in mind.

Indeed, given that in July 2025 the Federal Government introduced regulations making it illegal to import or manufacture small multi-head split air conditioning systems that use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with a high global warming potential (GWP), products of this kind are here to stay.

“Sustainability is front and centre of the consumer decision-making process with net zero driving innovative solutions to create products that are highly efficient and use low GWP refrigerants,” says Searle, adding that many new products will be launched at the event.

The best suppliers and manufacturers are looking to not just comply with environmental regulations but go beyond it.

“This aligns with Australia’s transition toward electrification and net-zero-ready homes,” says Searle.

According to Searle, beyond these considerations, maintaining indoor air quality and control solutions are other areas worth keeping an eye on.

“Technology solutions, including smart home systems, automation, integrated data management systems and AI-driven technology that enable consumers to enhance efficiency through monitoring and controlling energy usage, are also increasing in innovation and demand,” says Searle.

Summarising, Searle says that ARBS aims to bring together all those who are shaping the future of residential and commercial HVAC.

Beyond meeting suppliers, architects and designers who attend the event can take advantage of the ARBS Seminar Program, which this year will cover topics such as electrification, indoor air quality, heat-pump innovation, and steps toward net-zero-ready buildings.

Broader architectural trends

Of course, broader architectural shifts also influence the types of air conditioning systems making their way into our living rooms and bedrooms.

“Australians favour open plan living, clean lines and integrated design,” says Virender Rana, Head of Business - HVAC Solutions at LG Electronics Australia. “Homeowners want performance without visual interruption."

As a result, he says, demand for things like slim, concealed ducted systems, refined indoor units, and thoughtful vent design is growing.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that every home is different.

“Open-plan builds may lean towards ducted systems for comfort and visual minimalism, while apartments or renovations may prefer high performance room air conditioning with refined form factors,” says Rana.

In the contemporary context, automation and digital technology are also important considerations. For Rana, their introduction should be about simplification.

“Connectivity, automation, proactive energy management and compatibility with broader smart-home ecosystems ensure the system adapts to the homeowner – not the other way around,” he says.

“In short, air conditioning today must perform well, look good, think for the homeowner and support better living - all at once.”

In line with these requirements, LG recently released the DualCool AI Air Split System range.

The range features ‘AI Air’, an intelligent technology which automatically analyses room conditions to deliver personalised comfort while managing energy use. In this way, according to the company, it anticipates needs, reduces effort and enhances everyday life.

The LG DUALCOOL AI Air split system air conditioner indoor unit..jpg

Above: The LG DUALCOOL AI Air split system air conditioner indoor unit / Supplied.

As Rana points out, further features of the DualCool AI Air Split System range include DualCool Inverter Technology, which is designed to deliver faster cooling, and quiet, fast operation; DUALVane, an airflow design feature that distributes air more evenly with less noise and more comfort; and Energy Manager+, which helps households monitor and manage consumption through the LG ThinQ app.

Multi-Step Cleaning keeps the internal surfaces of the system cleaner and helps maintain airflow performance over time, while thanks to the One-Click Scheduled Cleaning function, it is possible to ensure the system maintains hygiene with minimal effort.

The DualCool AI Air Split System also employs ThinQ Connectivity, which integrates seamlessly with the LG smart home ecosystem for remote control, automation and voice integration using a compatible smartphone.

“We also recognise that Australians use a variety of smart home ecosystems, so our new models are compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa,” says Rana.

“Homeowners can adjust their climate with simple voice commands, build multi-device routines and personalise their environment with ease.”

According to Rana, energy efficiency is a core design priority for the company.

“The new LG DualCool AI Air Split system range achieves up to 6 stars in cooling in Australia’s hot climate zone,” says Rana.

Beyond energy efficiency, LG Electronics is actively reducing plastic consumption by redesigning its production methods for the exterior panels of its ceiling mounted cassette units.

“Through the adoption of a foaming injection molding process that uses nitrogen gas to create micro-bubbles within the material, the company is moving away from conventional plastic manufacturing techniques, thereby lowering overall plastic usage,” says Rana.

“LG plans to gradually expand this innovative process to additional residential and commercial product lines.”

In parallel, LG’s air conditioning division is working to increase the use of recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) in packaging, aiming to minimise reliance on raw materials.

The company has also reinforced its environmental commitment by introducing an inverter scroll chiller that employs R32 refrigerant, which has approximately 30% of the GWP of R410A.

Additionally, LG has transitioned smaller air conditioning units from R410A to R32 refrigerant to comply with the above-mentioned ban on the import and manufacturing of small systems that use high GWP refrigerants.

Actron Air’s Neo Touch control offers Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatibility.png

Above: Actron Air’s Neo Touch control offers Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatibility / Supplied.

Complimenting the way people live

Ben Muras, Head of Marketing at Actron Air, views air conditioning as fundamental to modern living.

“Homes today are more than the family home,” says Muras. “They are offices, gyms and entertainment hubs.”

“Much like inclement weather halting work on a building site, uncomfortable indoor conditions can slow productivity, stem creativity, and hamper relaxation.”

In contrast, he says, well-managed indoor climates help ensure we can be the best versions of ourselves.

Asked if there are any products he would like to highlight, Muras nominates the ‘Advance’, which is part of Actron Air’s split ducted range.

“Combining our Tru-Inverter technology with high efficiency fans, it operates on R32 refrigerant, which has a significantly lower GWP than traditional R410A systems,” he says.

On top of this, the system’s vertical discharge design solves the problem of having to locate the outdoor unit in the narrow passages between the house and side fence, and consequently, being faced with a drop in performance due to recirculated air.

“By discharging the air upwards, the Advance maintains strong, reliable performance where many other systems may struggle,” he explains. “Our variable fan technology further enhances comfort and efficiency by adjusting airflow automatically to match the user’s needs.”

However, according to Muras, what truly sets the Advance apart is the fact that both the system and the controls are designed hand-in-hand.

“Our award-winning Neo control suite, which is available in jet black or ceramic white, is purpose built for the system, delivering a seamless, stylish and intuitive experience,” he says.

Asked about integration with smart home systems, Muras says the Neo Touch control is actually “smart in its own right”. It provides Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatibility, a mobile app, and geofencing capability for automated comfort, based on location.

“It can also assist with integration with Control4 and, for other advanced setups, an interface card allows connection with a wide range of other home automation systems,” says Muras.

Returning to the topic of sustainability Muras says that, beyond the incorporation of low GWP R32 refrigerant, Advance is produced with the minimisation of environmental impact as a key priority.

The ‘Advance, which is part of Actron Air’s split ducted range, pictured with the Neo control suite.png

Above: The ‘Advance, which is part of Actron Air’s split ducted range, pictured with the Neo control suite / Supplied.

The system is manufactured locally (at Marsden Park, NSW), in a facility that utilises solar energy, harvests its own rainwater, and runs a recycling program designed to minimise resource consumption and the generation of waste.

Summarising, Muras says choosing the right air conditioning system starts with the considering essentials – the home’s layout, the functions of various rooms, and factors like whether a whole-home, multi-room, or single-room solution is the best fit.

“Beyond the basic functionality of the system, in contemporary spaces, placement of the outdoor unit and smart controls with discreet design are important considerations,” he explains. “Finally think ahead. Ask what the future looks like. Perhaps that’s a newborn on the way or older kids looking to move out?”

By addressing such questions, homeowners can place themselves in a position to find a system that is able to adapt to changing family circumstances, while also delivering long-term value.

Main image: The LG DualCool AI Air residential air conditioner / Supplied.

Suppliers

ARBS

LG Electronics Australia

Actron Air

Mathew MacDonald

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