Need to know
- Cheap way to warm and cool your house.
- Different systems for different houses.
- Use a thermostat to set the most comfortable and efficient temperature.
Introduction: Reverse-cycle air conditioners are the cheapest and most energy-efficient way to warm and cool your house. They collect energy from outside and use it to cool the house in summer and warm it in winter. Air conditioners are more efficient to warm space than electric heaters, generating a third of comparable emissions and costing only 25% as much to run.
Types of Air Conditioners
There are several types of reverse cycle air conditioning systems:
Split System: A split system needs one outdoor unit to provide heating or cooling and one indoor unit to diffuse it. Good for smaller spaces and are cheaper and require less installation work than ducted systems.
Ducted: One outdoor unit provides heating and cooling for the whole house through ducts in the walls or ceiling. Ideal for heating and cooling a range of rooms in larger buildings.
Window System: Sits inside a window frame with half of the unit inside the house and the other half outside. Will only heat one room but is cost-effective and simple to install.
Portable: Can move from room to room where heating and cooling are required. Cost-effective and excellent no-installation solution for rentals. Need to be near a window or door to vent the hot or cold air through an exhaust hose. Some systems can be noisy.
Energy Ratings: Australian electrical products come with a star rating reflecting their energy consumption. The more stars, better the energy efficiency and the more you’ll save on your electricity bill. Newer model air conditioners have a rating that considers where you live. In Alexandrina, we align with the rating for Adelaide.
Thermostats: New air conditioner models have integrated programmers and thermostats to help you maintain the household temperatures and manage electricity consumption. Thermostat and timers provide:
- energy efficiency – the thermostat controls the temperature of the room and switches off the system when the desired temperature is reached. This prevents it from running unnecessarily, reducing your energy bill.
- comfort - a thermostat can help you maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. The system will automatically maintain the desired temperature you set.
- convenience - you don’t have to adjust the AC's temperature, the thermostat does this for you.
- safety - a thermostat prevents the system from running unnecessarily and reduces the risks of overheating and fire.
In winter, set your heating between 18°C and 20°C. In summer, set your cooling between 25°C and 27°C. For every degree you increase heating and cooling, you increase energy use between 5% and 10%. Shut doors and vents to unused areas. Only heat or cool the rooms you’re using.
What Size Do I Need?
It’s important to get an air conditioner that’s the right size for you. If you get one that’s too big, you’ll waste energy running it; too small and it’ll use more energy to heat or cool a room. Think about your home. Do you want all the rooms heated and cooled (for example, some people like cool bedrooms for sleeping)? Or just one main room?
Rebates
The South Australian Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme can lower the cost of your air conditioner. The scheme sets energy productivity targets to be met by electricity and gas retailers. The retailers then offer incentives to households and businesses to improve energy efficiency in their premises.
The energy efficiency improvements are carried out by activity providers, who are technicians who can advise you on what needs to be done and the best solution for you. The easiest way to access the incentives provided by the scheme is through your energy retailer. Look up their number on your bill and get in contact. You can find out more about the scheme on the Essential Services Commission website.
What to Do
- Think about the heating and cooling needs of your house to work out which systems will be suitable for you.
- Contact your energy retailer and ask them about the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme and how it can help you install or upgrade your air conditioning.