9 Best Air Conditioners in Malaysia 2024 - Brand Suggestion

Given our country’s tropical weather all year long, having an air conditioner at home is more of a necessity than a luxury like it used to be. Nothing beats the cooling effect of an air cond on a hot day.

So, if the best air cooler in Malaysia can't satisfy you, then it's time to upgrade to an actual air conditioner!

- When should you replace your air conditioner?

Just like laptops and cars, air conditioners do not last forever no matter how expensive they are. They will eventually wear out over time and in the case of air conditioners, many shared that they be considered for replacement every 10-15 years.

Of course, it all depends on how you operate your air conditioner and how well it’s maintained.

• For instance, if it suffers from constant breakdowns even after regular repairing work, it’s time to replace it.
• Are there excessive leakage and unusual noises are coming from within? Better check for replacements.
• Did your monthly electricity bill somehow skyrocketed? Your air conditioner might be getting older or losing efficiency.
• Finally, if you notice your room/space has mold growth and too much moisture around your windows, it might a malfunctioned air conditioner that causes irregular humidity levels.

Here, we have plenty of air conditioner brands to look out for. Among the familiar names include Daikin, Panasonic, York and Sharp. Generally, airconds come in the form of a standard wall-mounted unit or as portable varieties, which require windows for venting purposes.

That being said, here is a handy guide on the best air conditioner from the best AC brands that you can consider for your living space. 

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9 Best Air Conditioners in Malaysia 2024

Daikin Air Conditioners

Daikin is no stranger to air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, as the brand has been in the business for decades since 1924. 

Founded in Japan, the company has made its mark in terms of introducing key technologies including the energy-saving inverter and heat pump as well as R-32. The latter refers to the type of refrigerant capable of minimising energy consumption up to about 10% more than the regular R-22 and R-410A varieties.

Why it's our top pick?

The Daikin 1.0HP R32 Non-Inverter FTV28P earns the title of our best-buy air conditioner due to its exceptional features and energy efficiency. Its built-in Wi-Fi and Go Daikin App offer smart control, allowing users to manage their cooling system conveniently. The Sleep Mode and Gin-Ion Blue filter provide personalised comfort and improved indoor air quality for a healthier lifestyle.

Additionally, the Powerful Mode ensures rapid temperature achievement in larger spaces. With its compact design and powerful performance, this air conditioner is an ideal choice for those seeking a reliable and versatile cooling solution for their living or working spaces.

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Hisense Air Conditioners

From its humble beginnings as a small radio factory during its initial establishment in 1969, Hisense has since expanded into a global manufacturing empire specialising in flat-panel TVs, mobile communication devices and household appliances.

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Midea Air Conditioners

This brand is best known for its home appliance offerings that are affordable without sacrificing necessary requirements for a comfortable living. Originating from China, Midea has had experience in a wide range of home appliances including air purifiers, refrigerators and air conditioners, of course. Adding to their value is the fact that they are sufficiently reliable!

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Haier Air Conditioners

Upholding the principle of “prioritising people’s value” in providing solutions to a beautiful and personalised life, Haier is a brand that is well-known for its thriving technology in various fields, especially home and living.

With consumer experience and satisfaction in mind, Haier designs its home appliances including air conditioners to satisfy the needs and demands like energy-saving technology, eco-friendly systems and intelligent products. Since all their products are great, we will help you pick some out. Here are our recommendations!

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Samsung Air Conditioners

The South Korean giant tech brand may be known widely for their high-tech offerings such as smartphones and TVs, but they are definitely still at the top when it comes to home appliances such as air conditioners.

A pride that Samsung air conditioners hold is their aesthetic and functional value, as well as having the same standards of advanced technology as Samsung's mobile gadgets. Get a Samsung air conditioner if you like a smart refrigerator especially!

Comparison Table

FAQ:

- Types of air conditioners

So, you have finally decided to install an air conditioner in your home. But the thing is, not every air conditioner is created equal since they are different types available on the market. These include:

 i) Split air conditioner

The aforementioned air conditioner is named as such because it consists of two units. The internal unit is the one with the rectangle design typically mounted on the walls. It helps to emit cool air within the interior surrounding and different temperatures can be adjusted using a remote control.

The external unit a.k.a. the condenser unit is usually installed outdoors, where its main function is to blow warm air out of the house or building.

 ii) Portable air conditioner

Just like the name implies, a portable air conditioner is designed to be movable from one room to another, thanks to a set of caster wheels on the bottom. It operates as a single-unit air-conditioning system, which has a large exhaust tube or hoses to expel the hot air out of the window. A portable air conditioner is usually placed on the floor.

iii) Window air conditioner

Not to be confused with the split air conditioner, a window air conditioner operates as a single unit designed to fit or mount inside a window frame.

Alternatively, a window air conditioner can be installed by making a hole in the wall. It has an exhaust system that discharges the hot air outside while it blows cool air on the indoor side.

iv) Central air conditioner

A central air conditioner relies on the interconnected ductwork to blow cool air across multiple rooms or spaces, making it suitable for large homes. Or to be exact, the cool air comes from the supply ducts, which are semi openings covered by grills located on the ceilings, floors and walls.

v) Smart air conditioner

A smart air conditioner refers to the type of air conditioner connected to the Wi-Fi network, where it can be controlled using a native app through a smartphone. Depending on the available features, you can adjust different settings like temperature control, geofencing and weekly scheduling. The air-conditioning unit itself looks typically the same as the standard variety, which is usually mounted on the walls or windows.

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- Inverter vs non-inverter air conditioners

When comes to the air conditioner, you will probably come across these common terms called “inverter” and “non-inverter”. Below are some of the notable differences:

i) Energy efficiency

An inverter air conditioner uses a regulated compressor that does not run at a constant speed, unlike the one found in the non-inverter variety. Instead, the compressor motor in the inverter runs at a reduced speed while maintaining a consistent temperature.

This, in turn, helps to reduce unnecessary energy consumption and allows you to enjoy savings in electricity.

 ii) Cost

An inverter air conditioner usually carries a higher price tag than a non-inverter unit. That means the latter makes it more affordable to own a unit, particularly if you are on a strict budget. However, though it may cost a fortune to buy an inverter air conditioner, you should think of it as a long-term investment since it is energy-saving.

iii) Noise level

Since the inverter air conditioner consumes less power and is also at a reduced speed, you can enjoy the benefit of silent operation. By comparison, the noise of a non-inverter air conditioner is more pronounced because it automatically turns off and on all the time.

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- How do air conditioners work?

We all know that air conditioners (AC) produce cool air in the indoor space when you turn them on. But how do they work? First, the evaporator coil and a cooling chemical compound known as the refrigerant are both responsible for absorbing heat and humidity from indoor air.

The blower fan from the AC’s indoor unit will then circulate cool air over the evaporator coil. The cool air leaves the hot coil from the evaporator and refrigerant, entering the outdoor unit of a condenser to release the heat.

Finally, the compressor serves as a middleman of sorts between the evaporator and condenser both inside and outside your home respectively. It also helps to convert the low-pressure and gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator into a high-temperature gas before flowing into the condenser unit.

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- How to choose an air conditioner?

An air conditioner is a long-term investment since it doesn’t come cheap, unlike purchasing a regular table or stand fan. Hence, it’s necessary to know what you should be looking for upon choosing an air conditioner.

i) Understand the type of air conditioner

Generally, you can’t go wrong with the classic and most common type of installing a split air-conditioning unit typically mounted on the walls. Of course, it all depends on your room size and the place you live. You can also look for the other types, which are already explained in “Types of air conditioners” above.

ii) Determine the right size

By right size, we mean it’s crucial to find out the square footage a.k.a. sq. ft. of your indoor space that requires an air conditioner. First, get a measuring tape and measure your room or space’s width and length in feet. Multiply those two numbers together to determine the sq. ft.

For instance, you have a medium room size of 16’ x 20’ which is equalled to 320 sq. ft. Use that calculated figure to shop for the right air conditioner based on the British Thermal Unit or better known as BTU.

Here is the selected BTU chart that you can refer to:

iii) Do you need an inverter?

As explained in “Inverter vs non-inverter air conditioner”, an inverter does help to lower your electricity bill since it consumes less energy. But whether you do indeed need it depends on how you use the air conditioner.

Getting an inverter would be practical if you run it for more than 4 hours. Otherwise, just stick to the more affordable non-inverter variety.

The next one would be “are you sensitive to temperature changes?” If so, an inverter air conditioner may help since it offers you better temperature control.

Finally, an inverter air conditioner works better if you install it in enclosed spaces like bedrooms rather than open spaces, namely living rooms.

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- Should you get a smart air conditioner?

Smart devices are designed to make our lives easier and above all, improve efficiency and functionality with the help of Wi-Fi connectivity and the app from a smartphone. One worth mentioning would be the smart air conditioner and the reasons that you should consider owning a unit that includes:

i) Convenience

Getting a smart air conditioner means you get to enjoy the benefit of the convenience of controlling it from anywhere. For instance, you can set a weekly schedule that adjusts your air conditioner according to your needs.

 ii) Save cost

A smart air conditioner allows you to set your preferred temperature control. From there, it will reduce its speed once it reaches your desired temperature. Not to mention it can automatically switch off based on your distance from your home via geofencing.

iii) No more losing track when comes to maintenance

Regular maintenance matters for air conditioners to ensure consistent operation. With a smart air conditioner, you no longer have to worry about forgetting to carry out maintenance. The app is there to serve as a reminder by sending you notifications that it’s time for your air conditioner to get a maintenance check-up!

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- Air conditioner maintenance tips

An air conditioner is a machine that requires attention from time to time. In other words, regular maintenance plays an important role in keeping your air conditioner running smoothly. Here are some of the maintenance processes that you need to take note of.

i) Clean the air filters

The filters in the air conditioner will accumulate dust, dirt and other pollutants over time. This decreases the efficiency of an air conditioner, forcing the system to work harder than it should. If you choose to ignore it, these dirty filters would recirculate the airflow through your space and may trigger allergy symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose.

This is why you need to clean your air conditioner unit every month or so by vacuuming off any clogged dust, lint and such. You also need to wash the filters in warm water mixed with a mild detergent.

Another cleaning method that you can carry out is to soak the filters in a bath using a large bucket. Add in a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar (preferably distilled white vinegar) if your filters require a deep cleaning process. Remember to give them a good rinse once you are done.

Finally, allow the filters to air-dry completely before putting them back into the air conditioner.

ii) Clean the coils annually

Other than filters, you need to pay attention to the coils too. The likes of dirt, dust and grime found on the coils can reduce its efficiency. You can use compressed air to blow the dirt off the evaporator coils by facing it in the opposite direction.

Alternatively, try using a soft brush to brush the dirt away and whatever you do, never use hard or wire bristles since they can potentially cause damage.

The third method would be mixing equal parts of mild detergent and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixed solution onto the evaporator coils. Let it soak in for a few minutes to help loosen the dirt and debris. Once done, simply brush off the loosened ones using a soft brush or a clean cloth.

iii) Get professional help for preventive measure

Make it a habit to call an expert or professional to service your air conditioner at least once every 2 years to check the gas pressure and wiring connection. The same also applies if your air conditioner doesn’t cool your indoor space like it used to as it could be due to a possible leakage from the refrigerant.

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- Why is the air conditioner leaking water?

If your air conditioner suffers from leaking water, several possibilities cause such a problem.

i) Dirty air filters

Not only can dirty or clogged air filters impact the efficiency of an air conditioner but also obstruct the evaporator’s airflow. This leads to frozen coils when they become too cold. Frozen coils mean the ice will form inside the air conditioner and the heat from the outside air causes the ice to melt, leading to water leakage.

ii) Clogged drain line

Accumulated mold, dust and debris can clog the air conditioner’s drain line over time. This leads to a blockage, where the water has nowhere to go as it overflows and causes the air conditioner to leak water.

iii) Damaged/Malfunctioned Drain Pan

The drain pan in question refers to the pan located underneath the indoor unit of an air conditioner. If the drain pan suffers from cracks or damages, it will cause the water to leak water. This also happens if your air conditioner is old.

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- Why is your air conditioner not blowing cold air?

Imagine the day is scorching hot on your way home and all you can think of is enjoying the cool breeze from your air conditioner. Except that it surprisingly doesn’t blow cold air and you are left wondering what’s going on with your air conditioner.

i) Clogged air filters

Forget about enjoying the cold air if your air conditioner’s filters are clogged. The culprit? Dust and debris are some of the examples, which can also cause restrictions on airflow.

ii) Thermostat problem

Check if the thermostat is suffering from a malfunctioning issue or incorrect settings.

The latter usually happens if the thermostat is set to heat so make sure to use the Auto or Cool setting.

iii) Leaking refrigerant

The refrigerant in your air conditioner plays a crucial role in producing cold air. However, if the refrigerant is leaking, it prevents your air conditioner from working properly and even causes the humidity levels to rise in your room or indoor space.

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- Advantages and disadvantages of air conditioners

The word “economical” does not typically apply to (most) people when it comes to buying an air conditioner. Perhaps you might want to weigh the pros and cons before spending your hard-earned money.

i) Advantages of air conditioners

The first and foremost advantage of an air conditioner is the cooling comfort that you can enjoy, particularly when the weather is hot and humid outside. It isn’t just for your body but also helps to minimise heat stress on certain electronic devices such as laptops and desktop PCs.

An air conditioner is also useful when you want to get a good night’s sleep and more so if there’s a heatwave during the night. It improves air quality as well around your interior surrounding since it helps to reduce humidity levels, which in turn, benefits those with allergies or other respiratory issues.

ii) Disadvantages of air conditioners

Keeping your air conditioner all the time and more specifically, for long continuous hours may cause your skin to lose its moisture, leading to skin dryness as well as sensitivity and irritation.

And even if an air conditioner improves air quality, it hardly matters if it’s clogged and dirty with the accumulations of dust, debris and pollen in the air filters. As mentioned, the risk of respiratory symptoms is increased as the contaminated air is recirculated.

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• Best Air Conditioning Services