Hitachi Air Conditioner Review

Note: Solar Choice is not affiliated with Hitachi or any air conditioner manufacturer and aims to provide an unbiased review for consumers in Australia.

At a Glance: Hitachi Air Conditioners — Score 3.7 out of 5

Solar Choice has developed an independent & transparent Air Conditioning Score Card to evaluate all the air conditioners available on the market:

Brand Reputation & Reliability – 4.5 / 5:

Hitachi is a long-established Japanese brand with a strong reputation for durability and quiet, reliable performance. Its partnership with Temperzone provides one of the most robust support and service networks in Australia.

Australian Presence & Support — 4.5 / 5

Supported locally by Temperzone, giving Hitachi one of the strongest national service and spare-parts networks in Australia.

Warranty Strength — 3.5 / 5

6-year warranty on eligible airHome models and 5-year cover on E Series and YHA1. Clear documentation, though commercial installs receive only 1 year.

Innovation & Technology — 3 / 5

Strong hygiene technology including FrostWash, Mould Guard and Nano Titanium filters. airHome models offer app control and smart-home features on newer models. However, not all models have the same features. 

Customer Satisfaction — 3 / 5

Generally positive reviews for quiet operation and comfort, though experiences vary by installer and fewer reviews exist compared to major brands.

Overall

Hitachi offers a range of split-system air conditioners suited to various Australian households. Its models commonly feature quiet operation, hygiene functions and access to a national support network through Temperzone. Performance and efficiency vary between series, with the airHome range providing the brand’s most advanced purification and smart-control features.

About Hitachi

Hitachi air conditioners are developed under Johnson Controls–Hitachi and distributed in Australia through Temperzone, giving the brand one of the strongest physical support networks in the country. 

Hitachi positions itself around long-term reliability and indoor air quality, offering technologies such as FrostWash self-cleaning, Mould Guard drying, Nano Titanium and Wasabi filtration, and advanced purification systems like AQtiv-Ion and ViroSense Z1. 

The airHome models include airCloud Go app compatibility, which enables smart-home integration on supported units. Hitachi’s Australian lineup is made up of three main series: the airHome range, which offers the brand’s most advanced hygiene and control features; the E Series, which provides an entry-level option with FrostWash included; and the YHA1 Series, a legacy inverter range that continues to be used in some residential installations.

Hitachi Air Conditioner Range, Efficiency & Performance

Most Hitachi split-system models use inverter technology, include reverse-cycle heating and cooling, and feature hygiene functions such as FrostWash, making them broadly comparable to the mainstream systems outlined in our Air Conditioning Buyers Guide and Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners article

Hitachi YHA1 Series (Legacy)

Reliable and quiet, but lacking modern efficiency and smart features.

Model Comparison — YHA1 Series

Model	Cooling / Heating	Indoor Noise (dB)	Key Features
RAS-25YHA1	2.5 / 3.5 kW	20–38	Nano Titanium filter, DC inverter, UV filter (select units)
RAS-35YHA1	3.5 / 4.2 kW	25–42	Anti-corrosion coating, Nano Titanium filter
RAS-50YHA1	5.0 / 6.1 kW	24–47	Multi-directional airflow, antibacterial fan coating

How it compares:

Dependable and quiet but behind newer models from Mitsubishi Electric and Panasonic in energy performance.

Hitachi airHome 400 Series (Reverse-Cycle)

Mid-range models with strong hygiene and comfort features.

Model Comparison — airHome 400

Model	Cooling / Heating	Indoor Noise (dB)	Key Features
RAK-DJ25PHAT	2.5 / 3.2 kW	20–40	FrostWash, Mould Guard, optional Wi-Fi
RAK-DJ35PHAT	3.5 / 4.0 kW	22–43	Nano Titanium filter, Silent Mode
RAK-DJ50PHAT	5.0 / 5.3 kW	24–47	Powerful Mode, long airflow, R32 refrigerant

How it compares:
A strong mid-tier performer with excellent hygiene features. Slightly behind Panasonic Z Series in efficiency.

Hitachi airHome 500 Series (Cooling-Only)

Cooling-only option suited to warm climates or homes with separate heating.

Model Comparison — airHome 500

Model	Cooling Capacity	Indoor Noise (dB)	Key Features
RAK-DJ25PCAT	2.5 kW	20–40	FrostWash, Dry Mode
RAK-DJ35PCAT	3.5 kW	22–43	Powerful Mode, Silent Mode
RAK-DJ50PCAT	5.0 kW	30–46	R32 refrigerant, long airflow

Hitachi airHome 600 Series (Premium)

The quietest and most advanced Hitachi range, focused on air purity and smart automation.

Model Comparison — airHome 600

Model	Cooling / Heating	Indoor Noise (dB)	Key Features
RAK-VJ25PHAT	2.5 / 3.2 kW	20–40	FrostWash, AQtiv-Ion, SleepSense, built-in Wi-Fi
RAK-VJ35PHAT	3.5 / 3.8 kW	20–42	ViroSense Z1, Motion Eco Mode
RAK-VJ50PHAT	5.0 / 6.0 kW	32–47	Advanced purification, long-range airflow

How it compares:

Comparable with Panasonic Z Series and Mitsubishi Electric AP, especially for hygiene and noise.

Hitachi E Series (Entry-Level)

Affordable and equipped with FrostWash and Wasabi filtration.

Model Comparison — E Series

Model	Cooling / Heating	Indoor Noise (dB)	Key Features
RAS-E25YHAB	2.5 / 3.2 kW	22–40	FrostWash, Wasabi filter, Sleep Mode
RAS-E35YHAB	3.5 / 4.3 kW	24–43	Eco Mode, optional Wi-Fi
RAS-E50YHAB	5.0 / 6.0 kW	28–46	Auto Clean, R32 refrigerant

How it compares: 

Entry-level option with useful hygiene features but generally lower efficiency compared with mid-tier models from brands like Panasonic and Mitsubishi Electric.

Cost of Hitachi Air Conditioners in Australia

Capacity	Supply Only	Fully Installed
2.5 kW	~$900–$1,300	~$1,800–$3,200
3.5 kW	~$1,100–$1,600	~$2,200–$3,800
5.0 kW	~$1,600–$2,200	~$2,800–$4,800

This excludes rebates you may be eligible for through state schemes like the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, VIC Energy Upgrade Discount and the SA RePS Scheme.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Strong air purification technologies	Efficiency varies between series
Very quiet operation (as low as 20 dB)	YHA1 Series is dated
Excellent national support network	Premium airHome models cost more
5–6 year warranty depending on range	Optional Wi-Fi on some models
Reliable long-term performance	E Series less efficient than top competitors

Hitachi Warranty in Australia

Temperzone manages Hitachi’s residential warranty, offering:

• 6-year warranty on airHome models (after April 2021)
  
• 5-year warranty on E Series and YHA1
  

Coverage applies to parts, labour and service for faults arising from manufacturing defects. Exclusions include issues related to installation, environmental corrosion or lack of maintenance. Temperzone’s national network supports warranty servicing and access to replacement parts.

Conclusion: Our Verdict on Hitachi Air Conditioners

Hitachi’s split-system range offers several advantages for Australian households, particularly in areas such as quiet operation, strong air-purification features and broad national support through Temperzone. These strengths are most evident in the airHome 400 and 600 models, which provide the brand’s most advanced hygiene functions and smart-control capabilities. Across the lineup, Hitachi systems generally appeal to homeowners who prioritise clean air, low noise levels and access to reliable servicing.

At the same time, there are clear trade-offs to consider. Performance and efficiency vary between the series, with the YHA1 range showing its age and the E Series sitting behind some competing mid-tier models in energy efficiency. Premium airHome units also come at higher price points, and certain models require optional Wi-Fi modules. With these pros and cons in mind, homeowners should compare efficiency ratings, included features and total installed costs across the different Hitachi series to determine the most suitable option for their needs.