Think Cooling systems can save you money all year round

With rising power costs, it’s more important than ever to adopt smart behaviours to increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioning on the Gold Coast. Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of your system can also prolong the life of your investment and ensure optimum operating conditions.

Consider your set temperature

Setting your air conditioner to cool to 18° will not cool your place down any quicker that setting it to 24° on a hot day. A setting of 18° will mean your system will need to work longer to get to a temperature that may not be reachable. Also try setting your system to 25° compared to 23° or 24° during peak hot periods. Every degree your increase your temperature setting by will improve the efficiency of your system.

Maintaining your AC regularly

By ensuring routine maintenance inspections are upheld, you can rest assured knowing your system will be operating under optimum conditions. Something as simple as a dirty filter can affect other functions of your systems, such as air flows and refrigerant running pressures, causing increased power consumption.

We recommend your filters be cleaned every three months if possible. A domestic air conditioner should be maintained by a professional at least once a year, while commercial systems will vary depending on the application.

Take control of heat loads

You can help improve the efficiency of your air con system by controlling heat loads affecting your space. Close window coverings, blinds and awnings to reduce the amount heat transferred into your home. If you have a ducted AC system, closing off sections and doors to areas not being used will also increase efficiency.

Avoid Auto Mode – Use the Cooling or Heating 

Most air conditioning systems have an ‘Auto’ mode. This will cycle the system between cooling and heating. The auto function can sometimes switch between either cycle, especially during a change of season, which in turn, keeps the motor under load. There can also be some confusion in general for the operator when this happens. We recommend you set your system to “Cooling” during summer months and “Heating” during winter months.

The simple things

Being proactive can help you save money and energy. For instance, keeping your eye on the weather forecast can help you ease the load on your AC system. If you know it is going to be a hot day, and you are going to be home, turn on your system in the morning rather than waiting until you feel you need to.

It is easier for an AC system to maintain your desired temperature rather than having to work hard to achieve it. The same principle applies to leaving your home for short periods. Leave your system on, rather than switching it off, in order to allow it to maintain your desired temperature.

It will always be easier for your system to maintain the temperature rather than letting the home heat up and having to cool it back down.