Is Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Expensive to Run and Install?
reverse cycle air conditioning – is it the best option for your home and budget? Our recent blog answered the question: What Is Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning? and examined the many benefits of choosing a reverse cycle air conditioning unit for your home. These benefits include: Convenience – heating and cooling a room is done with a single unit Safety – no exposed elements, fans to trap little fingers, flames or hot components Health – inbuilt filters clean and dehumidify the air you breathe Aesthetic design – fewer units mean less intrusion into your space from unsightly components Despite all these benefits, people may still be concerned that adding reverse cycle air conditioning to your home is expensive to do. But as you’ll see in this blog, this kind of temperature control can be much cheaper to run than other systems. Depending on the design of your system, you may even find that a single reverse cycle ducted air conditioner can be cheaper to install than multiple split systems. We compared the pros and cons of ducted air conditioning vs split systems in this article. Energy–Efficient Heating and Cooling = Cheaper to Run When a reverse cycle air conditioning system is designed, planned and installed by a professional, it can be the cheapest way to heat and cool your home. The consumer comparison website Canstar Blue has published multiple reports to back this up. Their results found that reverse cycle air conditioning is the most energy-efficient heating and cooling solution for most Australian homes. The Australian Government also had similar findings. This leads us to the question, is reverse cycle air conditioning expensive to run? All methods of cooling and heating require some form of energy to run. Naturally, reducing the amount of energy it takes to heat and cool reduces our energy (i.e. electricity and gas) bills. Therefore, reverse cycle air conditioning systems can be the most economical choice for your home! the cost to run Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Calculating the costs of running air conditioning units can be quite complex and vary depending on factors such as: The age of your home and the materials it is constructed from The positioning of windows and the air conditioning units themselves Air loss from the house via cracks under doors and in floors The age of your air conditioning unit How well your air conditioning unit has been maintained If we put these factors aside for a moment, we can make a general calculation to estimate the costs of running reverse cycle air conditioning in your home as follows: Check the labelling on your unit and look for the “kilowatt-hours”. It is the most important factor. Multiply the kilowatt-hours figure by the number of hours the unit will run for, e.g. 4kw x 8 hrs per day = 32-kilowatt hours of usage per day. Next, multiply the daily kilowatt-hours by the number of units in the home. If this is a ducted system, there would only be a single unit. If it is a split system, multiple units will be installed in different rooms. In this example, we will assume that 4 x 4 kw split systems are installed in the home, running 8 hours per day. Therefore, the figure would be:4kw x 8 hours = 32-kilowatt hours x 4 units = 128 kilowatts of energy consumed daily. Finally, multiply this figure by the cost per kilowatt-hour that your electricity company charges for energy use to find the daily cost to run your reverse cycle air conditioner. Using this formula, we can determine the running costs of your air conditioning. Still, you can also make it run more efficiently with minor changes in your home and regular maintenance and servicing. Tips to Improve the Performance of Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Power Trip Services are experts in all things air conditioning and choose only to offer reverse cycle air conditioning systems to its customers. Owner Kerry advises that reverse cycle air conditioning can be extremely cost-effective to install and run with the right planning and servicing. In this article, Kerry recently drew on his many years of experience to offer some great tips to maximise energy-efficient heating and cooling. If you’d like some further advice or to discuss how reverse cycle air conditioning can improve the liveability of your home, contact the team at Power Trip Services today. The electrical and air conditioning specialists at Power Trip Services go above and beyond to tackle any complex installation or electrical issue you throw our way. We are leaders in our profession in North Brisbane because we use our resourcefulness and ingenuity to deliver high-quality and affordable solutions every time. Our qualified technicians can even design your ducted air-condition in-house! Not only do we pride ourselves on quality workmanship, but our outstanding service standards and promise to treat your property with the utmost respect. This sets us apart from our competitors. Call Power Trip Services today on (07)3385 5833 or request a quote here.
5 Tips For Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling in Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners
Energy-efficient heating and cooling In our recent blogs, we have been looking at the most efficient heating and cooling methods for your home. People are often surprised to learn that consumer and comparison website Canstar Blue identified reverse cycle air conditioning as one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your home. If a qualified professional assesses and designs the split system or ducted air conditioner layouts, you can be assured that your energy use is effective and efficient. Additional measures such as insulation, solar panels and double-glazed windows will also decrease your air conditioner’s energy consumption. However, there are other steps you should take, after installation, to ensure that your reverse cycle air conditioning system continues to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling. tips to maximise the efficiency of your reverse cycle air conditioner We had a chat with Kerry, the owner of Power Trip Services and asked him for some tips to maximise the life of reverse cycle air conditioners and keep them heating and cooling efficiently. Tip 1 – Run your air conditioner in HEATING mode for an hour once a month during summer. According to Kerry, this rarely known hack works to keep the mould in the air conditioners coil at bay. The heat reduces humidity and condensation that builds up when the unit is run for long periods in cooling mode. Mould spores thrive in humid environments, so this little tip will not only create more healthy air for your family but also reduce maintenance costs for the unit/s. Tip 2 – Avoid the temptation to set the temperature too low in summer or too high in winter.. When the ambient temperature outside increases in the warmer months think 28 degrees or more, and you set the air conditioner to a chilly 18 degrees it’s going to work extra hard to cool the space. It’s also unachievable to sustain low indoor temperatures meaning your air conditioning unit will be running in overdrive trying to get there, chewing through the power. Key outtake: You don’t need to set it to 18 degrees. 24°C is a very comfortable temperature for most people during summer. And by setting it higher, the air conditioner doesn’t need to work as hard,this reducing your energy bills. According to the Australian Government, increasing the temperature on your air conditioner by only 1 degree, or reducing it by 1 degree in summer, can increase your energy usage by up to 10%. Conversely, during winter, never set the air conditioner temperature to heat higher than 21 degrees celsius. Kerry’s advice here is that it is unlikely your air conditioner will ever go above 21°C in a winter environment but will constantly be working on trying and doing so. Therefore, if your goal is energy efficiency (and not having a huge power bill) reduce the load on the components – and the energy it consumes – by capping the temperature at 21°C. Your family will still be comfortable, and so will your bank balance! If you’d like further reading, we discuss the best temperature for air conditioning during winter in Australia in our blog post here. Tip 3 – Don’t allow air to escape through cracks and under doors. It may seem obvious, but the air conditioner will need to work harder to cool and heat during both summer and winter if there are drafts and spots where air can escape. Your air conditioner has worked hard to get your room to the perfect temperature, don’t waste its efforts (and your energy bill) by allowing that air to escape! Use heavy curtains with pelmets, under door draft stoppers and positioning of furniture to reduce air loss. Keep windows and doors closed. Tip 4 – Use the timer feature on your reverse cycle air conditioning unit. The timer on modern reverse cycle air conditioning units is a huge benefit! The temperature fluctuates throughout the day, so set your timer so that the air conditioner only operates during the coldest and hottest parts of the day and turns off when nobody is home. If you want to come home or wake to a comfortable temperature, set it to operate just before people are due to wake up or arrive home. Tip 5 – Regular servicing maintenance. One of the most important things to keep your reverse cycle air conditioner heating and cooling efficiently is good maintenance. You must clean air filters at least once every two months to avoid dust and debris clogging them up. It also has the added benefit of healthier air for your family to breathe. Additionally, keep reflectors free of dust. The process to clean your air filters differs from model to model. If in doubt, you can check manufacturers websites for instructions or call your installer for advice. Also, fans, filters, coils and reflectors can accumulate dust and debris, resulting in damage to internal components. So, as well as regular air filter cleaning, you should always have a professional service your system every 12 months. This makes sure that all parts and components are operating correctly and maximises their operating efficiency. If you are a heavy user of your reverse cycle air conditioner, it may benefit to service it twice per year, in both autumn and spring, to prepare for the coming season of heating and cooling, respectively. Call your professional for advice if you notice that your air conditioner is noisy, leaking, or doesn’t seem to be cooling or heating properly. All of these symptoms indicate that your air conditioner may not be operating at its full capacity and prevent energy-efficient heating and cooling. The electrical and air conditioning specialists at Power Trip Services go above and beyond to tackle any complex installation or electrical issue you throw our way. We are leaders in our profession in North Brisbane because we use our resourcefulness and ingenuity to deliver high-quality and affordable solutions every time. Our qualified technicians can even design your ducted air-condition in-house! Not only do we pride ourselves on quality workmanship, but our outstanding service standards and promise to treat your property with the utmost respect. This sets us apart from our competitors. Call Power Trip Services today on (07)3385 5833 or request a quote here.
What is Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning?
Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning When it comes to heating and cooling our homes, we have so many options available to us these days. Each offers different features and benefits and can vary greatly in cost, maintenance and health and safety. Today we look at Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning and why it could be a great choice for your family. In this article, we answer several commonly asked questions such as: What is reverse cycle air conditioning? How does reverse cycle air conditioning work? Are reverse cycle air conditioners expensive to run? What are the benefits of reverse cycle air conditioning? what is reverse cycle air conditioning? Reverse cycle air conditioning is a type of air conditioner that can heat as well as cool. It can be a great option to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home all year round and alleviates the need to install separate heating and cooling devices. Recently, Canstar Blue identified reverse cycle air conditioning as one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home during winter. Reverse cycle air conditioners also provide other benefits such as filtering and dehumidifying to ensure you are breathing clean, healthy air. How Does Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Work? A reverse cycle air conditioner has a function that allows the normal refrigeration cycle to be reversed (hence the name). When it is set to perform its heating function, heat is extracted from the outside air and drawn inside. This occurs because cold refrigerant gas is passed through an external coil, absorbing the heat from outside. As the refrigerant is compressed into a condenser, it warms up and creates hot air, then pumped into a room via a fan. Are Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners Expensive to Run? Most kinds of cooling and heating consume fairly high amounts of electricity and can be expensive to run. However, reverse cycle air conditioners are actually one of the most energy-efficient, and therefore cheaper, options available. Last month, we took an in-depth look at the energy efficiency of reverse cycle air conditioning. We found that even well-known consumer comparison websites such as Canstar Blue and Choice have confirmed it as one of the best heating options available today. There are many ways to maximise the efficiency of the heating and cooling in your home and thus reduce the running costs. Some tips and tricks include: Keeping the air filters clean and the unit serviced regularly Having the appropriately sized system for the space that needs to be cooled or heated Setting the correct temperature for the season (further reading about the best temperatures in winter can be found here) Selecting a model with the highest star rating Using timers on your air conditioning units so that they only run when needed Addressing insulation, drafts, and light entering your home to reduce heat or cool air loss, depending on the season and mode in which you are running your reverse cycle air conditioner. What Are The Benefits of Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning? Convenience is a major benefit of reverse cycle air conditioning. Heating or cooling a room can be done with a simple flick of a switch. There are other benefits to consider too: Cost-effective and energy-efficient There are no exposed elements, flames or hot components when in heating mode It can also be used to filter and dehumidify the air in your home Automatic temperature functions mean that the unit only operates as needed Only one device is needed to heat and cool How To Choose the Best Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner for Your Home Selecting the correct type of reverse cycle air conditioner for your home involves several considerations and decisions. You may prefer to install a series of split system units throughout your home, or you may choose to go with ducted air conditioning. Each type of system provides its own set of unique features and benefits. Additionally, you will need to complete a series of mathematical calculations that consider many factors that will determine the size of the system you will require. And don’t worry – we usually do this bit for you to recommend the most appropriate size for the space! Things such as the size of your home, the number of occupants, the heat loss from under and around the building, and the positioning of windows all need to be considered when making these calculations. Power Trip Services specialises in all air conditioning systems, and we prefer to only work with reverse cycle units. We can do all of the calculations for you and provide a custom design and recommendations to meet your budget and keep your home comfortable all year round. If you would like to maximise the benefits of your home air conditioning, be sure to give us a call today. The electrical and air conditioning specialists at Power Trip Services go above and beyond to tackle any complex installation or electrical issue you throw our way. We are leaders in our profession in North Brisbane because we use our resourcefulness and ingenuity to deliver high-quality and affordable solutions every time. Our qualified technicians can even design your ducted air-condition in-house! Not only do we pride ourselves on quality workmanship, but our outstanding service standards and promise to treat your property with the utmost respect sets us apart from our competitors. Call Power Trip Services today on (07)3385 5833 or request a quote here.
