Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens
Air-con in Newcastle and the Hunter: what it costs and how to choose
Illustration, not a real home.
What do you need?
Decode your remote
Tap a symbol to see what it does
A drawn, generic remote. Pick your brand for its own wording, taken from the maker's manual.
Cool
Cools the room to the set temperature.
COOL: operates in cooling mode, supplying cool air.
Cooling: the system cools the room to the temperature setpoint.
In the Hunter: Newcastle summer: 24 to 26°C is a comfortable, economical setting.
Heat
Heats the room to the set temperature.
HEAT: operates in heating mode, supplying warm air.
Heating: the system heats the room to the temperature setpoint.
In the Hunter: Hunter winter nights, especially inland around Cessnock, are when heat mode earns its keep.
Dry
Takes moisture out of the air without trying to reach a set temperature.
DRY: operates in dehumidifying mode; the unit is not trying to reach the set temperature.
Drying: decreases the humidity in a room; temperature and airflow are controlled automatically.
In the Hunter: Muggy coastal days when it is sticky but not hot: see our dry mode guide.
Fan
Moves air only. No heating or cooling.
Fan only: circulates air without heating or cooling.
Fan: the system only controls the airflow; it does NOT control the temperature.
In the Hunter: Cheapest to run; useful on mild evenings.
Auto
Chooses heating or cooling to hold the set temperature.
AUTO: the unit automatically adjusts itself to heat or cool to maintain the set temperature.
Automatic: cools or heats to the setpoint, switching between cooling and heating if necessary.
In the Hunter: Shoulder seasons when mornings are cold and afternoons warm.
Econo
An energy-saving setting. What it does differs by brand.
Econo Cool: changes the airflow to swing, creating a breeze effect so you feel cooler.
Econo: limits the maximum power consumption, useful when the unit shares a circuit with other appliances.
In the Hunter: Long cooling runs on a budget.
Powerful
Runs at maximum capacity for a short time.
High power: runs the unit harder for a short time to reach the set temperature faster.
Powerful: quickly maximises the cooling or heating effect; the unit operates at maximum capacity.
In the Hunter: Coming home to a hot house. Then turn it off.
Sensor
A motion sensor that aims the air and saves energy in an empty room.
3D i-See sensor: senses people and adjusts airflow, with an energy-saving operation when the room is empty.
Intelligent eye: detects movement and directs airflow; if no one is in the room for more than 20 minutes, it switches to energy-saving operation.
In the Hunter: Living rooms people come and go from.
Symbols vary by model: if your remote looks different, check its manual. Our drawing, not any brand's remote.
Common questions
How much does it cost to install a split system?
Most single split systems cost about $1,400 to $3,000 supplied and installed, according to hipages' 2026 guide; installation alone is about $600 to $1,000 for a simple job.
How often should an air conditioner be serviced?
Clean the filters yourself every few weeks in heavy use, and have a technician service the unit about once a year.
Do I need a licence to install an air conditioner?
Yes. Anyone who installs or works on a split system must hold an ARCtick refrigerant handling licence, and in NSW an air-conditioning licence.
Is there a rebate for air conditioners in NSW?
The Energy Savings Scheme offers discounts of up to $550 for a new 6 kW system, or up to $560 to replace an old one, through participating installers.