Hisense HAWV9KR (2.5kW)

Very economical to operate – This isn't a big unit by any means, but it receives almost daily use overnight in the master bedroom. Cheap to purchase ($620 after some haggling at The Good Guys) and another $650 for our fridgie to install it. He didn't have any hassles, apparently most Chinese units are of a similar design in terms of installation requirements. This thing is… Read more

fantastically frugal to operate - with an 8.5 star cooling rating. Keeps up cooling a 28m3 room without complaint, unless it's 40C outside and then it will be a bit louder to achieve target temperature. Heating isn't as efficient but even setting the thermostat to 16C the room becomes toasty warm in a short time. This is probably my only minor quibble - it's a little too warm even on the lowest setting.

The larger split system in our lounge is affected by inefficiency in cold weather - not so the Hisense, it cheerfully chugs away even below freezing. Remote is easy to use, some print is fading a little with repeated use. WiFi compatible via Google Home (2.4GHz only)