If not run correctly, your ducted reverse cycle air conditioner could cost you hundreds and even thousands of dollars per year in running costs. Do you want to keep your running costs down? Below is a list of 10 top tips to help keep your ducted reverse cycle air conditioners running costs to a minimum over the summer and winter months.
1 Clean any filters regularly. This usually means cleaning the return air grille filter which is usually located in the hallway.
2 Keep the outdoor unit (compressor) free from any obstructions. Try to keep it clean by giving it the occasional wash down. If you are getting your reverse cycle air conditioner installed, make sure that the compressor is placed in an open and cool area (not to close to the fence line).
Keep The Outdoor Unit Free From Obstructions
3 Adjust Louvres as needed. For cooling, the louvres of your grilles (outlets) should face across (parallel with the ceiling) as the cool air will drop. During heating the louvres should be pushed down so the warm air can get thrown to the floor before it starts to rise again.
Adjust Louvres As Required
4 If certain areas are not being used, turn these zones off. You should also close the doors of any rooms that you don’t want to be heated or cooled.
5 When designing a system with an air conditioning contractor, be sure to have as many zones as possible. More zones gives you more flexibility and means you can run very little zones at once if needed. e.g. put beds 2, 3 & 4 on separate zones rather than on just one zone. Therefore you can run just one of these zones at once if needed rather than running all three.
6 Ensure your home is adequately insulated. Insulation will slow heat from entering your home in summer and restrict heat from leaving your home in winter. Ceiling insulation is a must but also consider roof insulation, wall insulation and if possible add ventilation to your roof space to try to remove some of the heat load in summer.
7 Set the ducted air conditioner controller to an average temperature at all times. Each degree lower in summer (or higher in winter) can result in hundreds of extra running costs per year. Set the controller so the home is comfortable (and not extreme).
8 Where possible keep all windows shut and close blinds when appropriate. Blinds and curtains will restrict the conditioned air from leaving and slow the hot/cold air outside from entering.
9 In winter, be sure to install draught stoppers to stop cool air from blowing around your home. These may only cost a couple of dollars each but will easily save you this much money in running costs.
10 If you come home to a hot home, open doors and windows if a breeze is in to flush out the hot air before turning on your air conditioner. This may only take a few minutes but it will lower the homes temperature considerably and save the air conditioner from having to work as hard, which will save you money.
Stick to these tips and not only will you be doing your part for the environment, you will also save some money from your back pocket.
Tags: Air Conditioner, Air Conditioning, hvac, running costs, Saving Money
[...] can be expensive. Air conditioners are expensive to both purchase and to run. Everyone wants to save money when running their air conditioner. Below are 6 tips to save money on your HVAC [...]