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Hitachi RAK-VJ50PHAT review

Reverse cycle air conditioner. Priced at $1696.

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Unit type View more details.

High wall – indoor unit is mounted high on a wall; floor-mounted – indoor unit is at floor level, which may better suit some rooms and is good if you mainly use it for heating; cassette – indoor unit is mounted inside the ceiling; floor/ceiling – can be mounted on either the ceiling or the floor; bulkhead – hidden in the ceiling like a cassette but the air vent is usually on a wall.

High wall
Size (capacity) View more details.

Small (up to 4kW cooling capacity) models are good for a bedroom or study. Medium (4 to 6kW) models are good for a large bedroom or living room. Large (over 6kW) models are good for large, open-plan living areas.

Medium
Reverse cycle or cooling only View more details.

Whether this model is reverse-cycle (has cooling and heating modes) or is cooling only.

Reverse cycle
Recommended View more details.

We recommend air conditioners with CHOICE Expert Ratings of at least 80%.

CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

The CHOICE Expert Rating (or overall score) for reverse-cycle models is made up of cooling efficiency (40%), heating efficiency (40%) and airflow (20%). For cooling-only models, it's cooling efficiency (80%) and air flow (20%).

Cooling efficiency score View more details.

Cooling efficiency scores are based on the model's AEER (Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio) – a measure of efficiency that factors in standby power consumption when the unit's not in use. Our scores are more precise than star ratings.

Heating efficiency score View more details.

Heating efficiency scores are based on the model's ACOP (Annual Coefficient of Performance) – a measure of efficiency that factors in standby power consumption when the unit's not in use. Our scores are more precise than star ratings. "NA" (not applicable) means this is a cooling-only model.

Airflow score View more details.

Based on the range of airflow on the lowest to highest fan speed settings. Ideally, air conditioners should have a gentle airflow on low settings and a powerful airflow on high. The wider the range of airflows, the better the score.

Rated cooling capacity (kW) View more details.

The rated cooling output of the air conditioner in kilowatts. The higher the number, the greater its cooling capacity and (in theory) the bigger the space it can effectively cool.

5
Rated cooling power input (kW) View more details.

The rated power consumption (under set test conditions) for this model in cooling mode. Lower numbers means less power consumption. 


1.235
Rated heating capacity (kW) View more details.

The rated heating output of the air conditioner in kilowatts. The higher the number, the greater its heating capacity and (in theory) the bigger the space it can effectively heat. "N/A" (not applicable) means this is a cooling-only model.

6
Rated heating power input (kW) View more details.

The rated power consumption (under set test conditions) for this model in heating mode. Lower numbers means less power consumption. 

1.78
Energy star rating – cooling View more details.

This is the old star rating system, being phased out by the new zoned energy rating label. More stars means more energy-efficient, lower running costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. N/A means this model is only registered under the new zoned label.

0
Zoned star rating cooling – cold zone View more details.

The zoned energy label shows cooling star ratings for different zones: the cold zone covers southern Australia including Melbourne, southern WA, Canberra and eastern state mountain regions, and Tasmania. It also includes New Zealand. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for cooling in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

5
Zoned star rating cooling – average zone View more details.

The zoned energy label shows cooling star ratings for different zones: the average zone covers the middle zone of Australia including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for cooling in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

5
Zoned star rating cooling – hot zone View more details.

The zoned energy label shows cooling star ratings for different zones: the hot zone covers northern Australia including Darwin and Brisbane. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for cooling in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

5.5
Energy star rating – heating View more details.

This is the old star rating system, being phased out by the new zoned energy rating label. More stars means more energy-efficient, lower running costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. N/A means this model is cooling only, or is only registered under the new zoned label.

0
Zoned star rating heating – cold zone View more details.

The zoned energy label shows heating star ratings for different zones: the cold zone covers southern Australia including Melbourne, southern WA, Canberra and eastern state mountain regions, and Tasmania. It also includes New Zealand. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for heating in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

2
Zoned star rating heating – average zone View more details.

The zoned energy label shows heating star ratings for different zones: the average zone covers the middle zone of Australia including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for heating in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

2.5
Zoned star rating heating – hot zone View more details.

The zoned energy label shows heating star ratings for different zones: the hot zone covers northern Australia including Darwin and Brisbane. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for heating in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

3
Stated standby power consumption (W) View more details.

Lower numbers means less power consumption in standby mode.

2
Human presence sensor (energy saving) View more details.

This feature detects whether anyone's in the room; if no one's there, the air conditioner switches to an economy mode to reduce power consumption. Some models also direct the air movement towards the sensed person, so as to not cool or heat unused areas.

Yes
Demand Response feature (DRED) View more details.

Demand Response Enabling Device (DRED), also known as PeakSmart. An air conditioner with this feature can be controlled remotely by participating energy companies to run in a power-saving mode in periods of peak electricity demand. It's not available for all models, but is built-in for some and an optional extra for others.

Yes
Reliability score View more details.

A high score means the brand (not the model) is less likely to have faults over time, according to CHOICE members.

Satisfaction score View more details.

A high score means CHOICE members are satisfied with the brand (not the model).

Shop Ethical rating View more details.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. The rating ranks from A (highest) to F (lowest). N/A means there is no rating for that company.

C
Warranty (years) View more details.

The manufacturer's stated warranty in years. 5 years is typical for a split-system, but a few go better with 6 or 7 years. You're still covered by the Australian Consumer Law regardless of the manufacturer warranty.

6
Country of origin View more details.

Where the air conditioner was manufactured, though parts may have been sourced from other places. Where two countries are listed, these are the origin of the indoor and outdoor units respectively.

Malaysia
Price View more details.

The recommended or typical retail price at time of publication. You can often get a better price by shopping around. Some new models don't yet have prices available.

$1696
Yearly running cost – cold zone View more details.

An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in a cold zone (southern Australia including Melbourne, southern Western Australia, Tasmania, and Canberra), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kWh. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.

Yearly running cost – average zone View more details.

An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in an average climate zone (including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kW. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details. 

Yearly running cost – hot zone View more details.

An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in a hot zone (such as Darwin and Brisbane), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kWh. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.

Noise indoors (dBA) View more details.

Noise levels are supplied by the manufacturer. Where available, we show the noise on the quietest indoor fan setting. Noise levels are broadly comparative, but note that different manufacturers may measure these values slightly differently.

32-47
Noise outdoors (dBA) View more details.

Noise levels are supplied by the manufacturer. They're broadly comparative but note that different manufacturers may measure these values slightly differently.

52
Number of fan speeds
5 + Auto
Operating temperature range (°C)
-15 to 46
Dimensions indoor unit (cm, H x W x D)
29 x 105 x 25
Dimensions outdoor unit (cm, H x W x D)
75 x 85 x 30
Refrigerant View more details.

Refrigerant gases are usually R410A or R32. Both are hydrofluorocarbons but R32 has a lower global warming potential and should also give improved efficiency.

R32
Indoor unit model
RAK-VJ50PHAT
Outdoor unit model
RAC-VJ50PHAT
Website
hitachiaircon.com.au
Fast mode View more details.

A 'powerful' or 'jet' setting that gives a quick performance boost.

Yes
Quiet mode View more details.

A low fan speed designed to be particularly quiet. Some models have a quiet mode for the outdoor unit too; handy for running at night.

Yes
Fan only mode View more details.

This allows the air conditioner to act just as a fan, without cooling or heating; useful if you just want a breeze in the room.

Yes
Sleep mode View more details.

Sleep mode adjusts the air conditioner's output temperature and fan speed (usually in steps) so the temperature becomes more comfortable for sleeping and the air conditioner runs at lower power and more quietly.

Yes
Sleep mode auto temperature adjustment View more details.

"Yes" indicates that the model's sleep mode adjusts the air conditioner's output temperature in steps, so the change is gradual.

Yes
Wi-Fi control View more details.

Allows control of the air conditioner via your home wireless network and an app on your smartphone, so you can power the unit on or off when away from home, set temperatures and monitor energy use. It's not available for all models, but is built-in for some and an optional extra for others.

Yes
Air purifier View more details.

Whether this model has an air purifying feature.

Yes
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