10 Best Split-Type Air Conditioners in the Philippines 2022 | Daikin, LG, and More

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team, from the best-sellers of E-commerce sites like Lazada, and using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

To give you a rundowm, here are our top 3 picks for the best split-type air conditioners that you can buy online:

1. Daikin 3 HP D-Smart Queen
   
2. LG 1.5 HP Dual Inverter Split-Type Air Conditioner
   
3. Panasonic Aero Series 1.0 HP Standard Inverter Split-Type Air Conditioner
   

Check out the table below to further compare the characteristics of these three split-type air conditioners as well as the other seven that made it to our list.

When picking a new air conditioner for your room, you're most likely going to be deciding between getting a window- or split-type aircon. Here are some reasons why you might want to go for a split-type AC for your cooling needs.

Split-type aircons are named as such since their components are separated into indoor and outdoor units. With this design, their indoor units require little space. Most models can even be installed flush to the ceiling or wall-mounted at almost ceiling level. The outdoor units can then be neatly kept outside of your home.

Aside from being space-saving, their indoor units are typically kept in an elegant and aesthetically pleasing chassis that will surely be a great fit in most interiors. Additionally, you don't have to dedicate a hole on your wall to install a split-type system, making this type of air conditioner more unobtrusive as compared to a traditional window-type one.

It's true that split-type ACs may have a higher cost upfront compared to window-types; however, the good news is that most split-type ACs have inverter motors. Inverter motors on the fan and condensing units are more energy-efficient than standard ones, which will help you save on your electricity bills over time. Not to mention, inverter motors are also known to be durable and long-lasting.

The main part of an AC responsible for the constant loud sound is the compressor. The great thing about split-type units is that their compressors are designed to be put outside your home, so you'll get a very quiet fan motor inside your room. In fact, some indoor units could even go as quiet as only 19 dB during operation. 

Do pay attention to where you keep your compressor unit. Since the compressor unit generates tons of noise, it could potentially become a noise hazard for your neighbors, especially in very quiet neighborhoods.

If you have a windowless room, a split-type AC is the best choice. You only need a three-inch hole for the cooling tube to pass through. Both the fan motor and condensing units can be wall-mounted, so they won't be taking up too much space.

Maintenance of window-type AC is easy unless you have the guts to remove and disassemble the unit for cleaning. There's a good chance that you will be still be calling an expert to do this for you, which is the same case as having a split-type uniーmeaning, there's no difference between the two types when it comes to cleaning and maintenance of the units.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. To get the right split-type aircon, take note of the size of the room.
   
2. Also consider other factors that could make the room warmer.
   
3. Select a unit that is both cost-efficient and energy-efficient by checking its EER rating and motor type.
   
4. Determine the features that you need from your split-type aircon.
   
5. Check the warranty and the after-sales service of the shop.
   

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

Installing an air conditioning unit that is too small for a room is not cost-efficient. The unit will have to work doubly hard to reach a certain room temperature, which will result in more energy consumption and overuse. At the same time, selecting a unit too large for your room won't be energy-efficient, too, since larger motors are more power-hungry.

To find the right unit for your room, be sure to match the aircon's cooling capacity to the size of your room. Cooling capacity is usually given in either British Thermal Units per hour (BTU/hr). Having a high BTU/hr means that the AC can remove more heat from the air per hour of use, which means it'll cool your room easier. Below are some room dimensions and their recommended BTUs:

• Up to 18 square meters: 8,000 BTU/hr
• Up to 28 square meters: 10,000 BTU/hr
• Up to 37 square meters: 12,000 BTU/hr
• Up to 41 square meters: 13,000 BTU/hr

For a more accurate way of knowing how many BTU/hr you need, check out this online BTU calculator.

Be conscious of other factors that could contribute to the change of your room's temperature, such as occupants, outside climate, or sunlight. As a rule of thumb, adding 10% to the cooling capacity could adequately compensate for every occupant, direct sunlight, or the warm outside climate.

Air conditioners have traditionally been viewed as some of the more power-hungry appliances that you could have. Fortunately, companies are gradually developing AC units that are designed to effectively cool your room without eating up too much electricity.

An air conditioner's electricity consumption will be hugely influenced by its energy efficiency, which is given by its energy efficiency ratio (EER). Having a higher EER means that the air conditioner is better at converting electricity into energy for cooling, which will ultimately translate to lower electricity costs. In fact, every EER point is equivalent to 10% savings on electricity costs!

Modern air conditioners are slowly transitioning to the use of inverter motors for their products. The biggest advantage of an inverter aircon system is its energy-saving property, where it constantly adjusts its power output to precisely maintain room temperature. 

Inverter technology also permits high-powered startup, which gives a faster cooling time of up to 25% than a conventional air conditioner. Once the target room temperature has been achieved, the compressor rotation speed is regulated by the inverter control to efficiently maintain the exact temperature without consuming too much power.

While most people buy an AC to cool their homes, most modern ACs have additional nifty functions, too. Whether an AC unit has special air filters or different operation modes, make sure to check all of these additional features to help with your purchase decision.

The air quality inside the room is equally important too, so some brands offer ACs with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. These high-performance filters can remove around 99.97% of particles that are as small as 0.3 microns, which include most dust, pollen, and other airborne particles. Some advanced systems even include anti-mold filters and ionizer systems for odor prevention.

Air conditioners with HEPA filters essentially act as air purifiers that improve your room's overall air quality. However, take note that you will have to regularly wash or replace your AC's HEPA filter to maintain peak performance.

The insides of air conditioners are prone to accumulating micro-organisms and dust due to the moisture that could build up as you use them. Luckily, plenty of modern ACs have a self-cleaning function where they automatically clean their evaporator by blowing away the moisture. 

Not only does this feature get rid of potentially harmful microbes, but it also helps avoid rust from developing inside your air conditioning system for better longevity. And in most models, you can activate this function with the press of a button!

Nowadays, most air conditioners also have different operation modes that you can choose from for lower electricity consumption. For example, you could use an AC's Timer Mode if you want it to automatically shut off after a specified period of time. If you prefer to keep your unit running for the whole day, you could opt to use its Eco Mode, especially if your room doesn't need much cooling.

Sleep mode is a particularly interesting feature, as it's designed to provide optimal cooling while you sleep. As we sleep, our body gradually requires less and less cooling, so an AC on sleep mode will slowly increase its temperature to match our cooling needs. This allows it to conserve energy while still keeping the room at a comfortable temperature.

Air conditioners with Wi-Fi access offer plenty of advantages. This feature allows you to control your AC and access its features directly from your smartphone anytime and anywhere. Aside from control, it also allows you to monitor your air conditioning statistics like energy consumption and temperature fluctuations, and it even gives you information on whether your unit needs cleaning.

Popular brands offer limited warranties on their products to entice consumers to purchase their AC units. Others even have extended offers, especially on inverter-type units. This serves as proof that they have full trust in their product's performance and competence.

Don't be hesitant to ask your local salesperson about these warranties and after-sales services. It's your right as a consumer to know and get the complete benefits of these proposals that comes with the product. Choose a brand that not only promises longer warranties but has an excellent track record of after-sales customer care.

While choosing an energy-efficient AC is paramount, how you use your AC will also have a huge effect on what reflects on your monthly electricity bill. With that in mind, here are some tips from 21 Celsius Air Conditioning on how you can use your air conditioner in the most efficient ways possible.

1. Close all doors and windows to prevent non-conditioned air from flowing into your room and forcing your air conditioner to work longer. 
   
2. Use the economy mode to maintain your room at a comfortable temperature while using consuming less power.
   
3. Use portable or ceiling fans together with your AC to help spread the cool air faster inside your room.
   
4. Use energy-efficient lighting and office equipment, as these tend to produce less heat.
   
5. Use timers so that you can limit how long your air conditioning system operates.
   
6. Ensure good air circulation around the inside and outside units. You can do this by removing curtains or furniture that may be blocking the inside unit and plants that may be blocking the outside unit to provide them with unrestricted airflow.
   
7. Cover the outside unit from the sun with some form of shade. This helps prevent the outside unit from overheating.
   

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.

Before cleaning your AC, make sure to dry its internals first by putting it on fan mode for 30-40 minutes. Be sure to disconnect your unit from its power source before dismantling it. Also, lay a garbage bag around your AC unit to catch all the dirt and drippings that might fall from your AC.

1. Detach the front panel so that you can access your AC's internals. To remove the front panel, you'll have to either undo the latches or push some release tabs.
2. Press the release tabs of your air filters to remove them from your unit. Once removed, shake off the dust from the filters with a vacuum cleaner or toothbrush. 
3. After removing as much dust from the air filters as possible, wash them with mild soapy and clean water. Let them air-dry first before putting them back in your AC unit.
4. Some AC units have built-in bacteria filters. Make sure to clean them as well using the same technique used with the regular air filters.
5. Locate the cooling fins, which are the metallic lines that are visible once you remove the air filters. You can easily clean them with an air blower and some air conditioner spray.
6. Another part that you'll want to clean is the coils. These are the rounded metal pieces that run across the center of the indoor unit. To clean them, spray some evaporator cleaner on the coils, let them sit, then wipe them off after 20-30 minutes.
7. Get rid of mold growth in the AC by spraying some antifungal spray. Let the spray sit for about 5 minutes before fixing all your AC's filters back in place.
8. Detach your AC's drain lines and unclog them by using pressurized flush kits. Make sure to air-dry your drain line for an hour before reconnecting it in place.
9. Reattach all parts of your AC back in place, then use the AC's self-cleaning function. 

How often you should clean your AC will depend on how much you use it. In general, it's recommended that you clean your AC's filters every 2-4 weeks. Professional cleaning from air conditioner technicians, on the other hand, should be done every 6-12 months to ensure that your AC will run as good as new. 

The most common cause of water leaks in AC units is having a clogged drain line. This makes it difficult for water to drain and escape to the outside of your home, leading to messy leaks.

Another possible reason is having a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter blocks airflow, which causes your AC to work harder just to cool your room. This could cause damage to the AC's internals in the long run, causing leaks to occur. Lastly, your AC could be low on refrigerant. This causes the pressure inside your AC to decrease, which will result in leaks. 

Besides split-type aircons, there are also other types of air conditioners that you can buy for your home or office, which include window-type, inverter, and portable units. If you're searching for a good product to keep yourself comfortable under our tropical climate, check out our articles on the different air conditioners that you can choose from.

Opting for a split-type AC for your home or the office is a good decision if you have a larger space to cool. Some of the primary benefits are the capacity to cover a broader area and the lower noise levels, which lessens noise pollution. 

Most designs nowadays have inverter technology to make it at par, if not better, than conventional models. Plus, eco-friendly refrigerants are being used to reduce ozone depletion and promote environmental protection. Take a look at these factors when choosing the right product for your home.

Author: Chafi Lacson

Re-Editor: Adriel Coseip

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