Air-conditioning

The great thing about a RCAC is that a single appliance can be used for both heating and cooling. This makes it both space-saving and convenient. And there are other benefits to consider, including:

• Quiet operation 
• Wall mounting to keep out of children’s reach 
• Constant temperatures — good for asthma sufferers, babies and elderly people 
• Filtered, pollution-reduced air 
• No open flames — much safer for kids.

Reverse cycle air-conditioners are more energy-efficient than regular electric heating, because they work by transferring heat. This helps reduce your power bill, and is also a more environmentally-friendly heating method.

Before you buy an air-conditioner, think about the overall costs you might be up for. Do the sums and you might find that a more expensive unit has lower running costs — making it the cheapest option in the long run.

Here are a few things to take into account when choosing an air-conditioner:

• The energy star rating — the more stars, the more energy efficient and cheaper to run 
• The size of the space you want to cool 
• The direction your room faces, the size of any windows it has, and whether the room is insulated
• The amount of time you expect to use the air-conditioner each day 
• The cost of the air-conditioning unit itself 
• The costs of installation 
• The running costs, usually described in cents per energy unit used (kWh) 
• How long the air-conditioner is expected to last

An air-conditioning specialist or electrical store expert can help you work out the right unit to suit you. Keep in mind that purchase prices and installation costs could vary greatly between suppliers, so shop around to get the best price.

1. Adjust the slats on your air-conditioner so they face downwards for heating and upwards for cooling
2. Shut doors to close-off rooms which you’re not using 
3. Clean the outdoor air-conditioner unit regularly, otherwise dirt could reduce the unit's efficiency 
4. Clean your filters regularly 
5. Install ceiling insulation 
6. Make sure your roof space is well ventilated — during summer your roof space can reach temperatures over 50C 
7. Install the outdoor air-conditioning unit on the shady side of your home, and make sure there’s enough ventilation
   Winter tips 
8. Set the temperature as low as you comfortably can, which is between 18-21C for most people — remembering each 1C increase can add up to 10% to your heating costs 
9. Don't start your unit on a high temperature — it’s more efficient to turn it on earlier at 21C and let it slowly warm the room 
10. At night, close blinds or curtains to reduce heat loss 
11. On sunny days, open your blinds and curtains to allow warm sunlight in, especially north-facing windows 
12. Install draught-stoppers 
13. Wear the right clothes so you don't have to set your temperature higher than needed — putting on a jumper costs far less than heating your home 
14. If you have them, use ceiling fans at low speed or on winter setting to circulate warm air.
    Summer tips 
15. Turn your air-conditioner on early during very hot days, rather than waiting until the room gets too hot 
16. Close your blinds and curtains during the day to keep heat out 
17. Add a boxed pelmet over existing curtains, and close the gaps at the bottom and sides of the curtains to help reduce the heat coming through the windows Consider that external window shading is more efficient than internal curtains and blinds 
18. When you first enter a hot house, open doors and windows to flush out the hot air before switching on your air-conditioner 
19. If practical, cool your home at night by opening your windows 
20. Set the temperature as high as you feel comfortable, generally 24C or above. Each 1C decrease can add as much as 10% to your cooling costs.

If you’d like to learn more about reverse cycle air-conditioning, please contact us.