When it comes to choosing a reliable and trusted brand of air conditioning in Australia, Mitsubishi is a name that instantly comes to mind. This is because they have built a strong reputation for high-quality AC machines and excellent service.
But you may be wondering what the difference is between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Electric (ME). In case you didn’t know they are two separate brands both producing different but similar air conditioning systems.
With that in mind, we’ll take compare these two brands to understand their differences and ultimately seek to find out which one is best.
Same Same But Different
First off, we know that both MHI and ME are belonging to the Mitsubishi parent company. After all, Mitsubishi is in both their brand names.
From this, you can be confident that both brands carry the strong reputation of the globally respected Mitsubishi brand. But it is important to realise that both MHI and ME are completely separate companies with different products, policies and services.
Furthermore, they are direct competitors of each other as they both make air conditioning units targeting the same market, with similar price points with almost identical features.
Main Differences Between MHI Vs ME
As mentioned both of these brands produce air conditioning systems. They both provide a range of different models offering different features and technologies.
But one big difference is that MHI and ME are not available in all countries. In fact, some countries may only have MHI available to them, while others may only have ME systems. Of course, there are also a few countries that may have neither, but some lucky countries like Australia have both these brands to choose from.
Range Of Systems
If we look at Australia we can see that the range of AC systems of MHI far outweighs that of ME. In fact, for aircon specifically, this brand is better known as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air Conditioning (MHIAA).
MHIAA provides various ranges in Split Systems for single rooms, Ducted and Zoning systems for multi-room properties and a full suite of commercial HVAC systems.
Mitsubishi Electric also provides a range of wall-mounted split systems and ducted aircon units however they don’t provide the larger commercial systems as MHIAA does.
Availability
When looking to purchase either MHIAA or ME in Australia you will usually find that ME units can be purchased from electronic retailers like Bing Lee and Harvey Norman. However, you will typically not find MHIAA units in these stores.
Instead, the Heavy Industries’ aircons need to be ordered through a licensed aircon installer. After all, you need an installer anyway so it makes sense to approach the company you want to install the system to purchase it from them too.
Which Brand Is Best?
If we look at industry awards, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is a clear winner in this category. In fact, they have won 5 years in a row of CHOICE Magazine Best Air Conditioning Brand.
However, when deciding which aircon is best for your individual needs it is important to look at many factors. Ultimately it comes down to what you need from an air-con system and how much money you’re willing to spend upfront.
For more information on costs, check out this article. It is also important to make sure you choose a system that is capable of providing the cooling and heating capacity you need.
Overall
Even though they both share the same parent company, it is important to remember that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Electric (ME) are two separate brands.
Both companies produce reliable air conditioners with advanced technologies that are energy efficient.
In Australia, MHI has won several awards from CHOICE and CANSTAR in recent years. But that doesn’t always mean they are the best choice for you and your unique needs.
When shopping for an air conditioning unit for your home make sure to consider the purchase price, installation costs, energy efficiency and features as part of your decision-making process.
If in doubt, talk with an industry expert. After all, there are also many other leading brands to choose from too.
