Reverse cycle air conditioning can be great for keeping your home heated through the winter in the Northern Rivers.
But it’s understandable to have some reservations though about how much it might cost and how you can keep the bills down. That’s why in this article, we’ll be showing you how you can get the most out of your air conditioning heating this winter.
Finding the right temperature
One of the easiest ways you can make sure you’re running your air conditioning as efficiently as possible is to set the right temperature for your home. Setting your temperature between 18 and 20 degrees celsius in winter is a safe bet for most locations.
The ideal setting does vary based on your home’s insulation, location and personal preferences for ideal temperature. If you feel that it’s still not the right temperature for you then you can do a little bit of tweaking until you get it just right.
There are a range of reasons why finding the right temperature is important, including:
Keeping everyone in the house comfortable
Improved health
Improved air quality
Better energy efficiency
Reducing the cost of your electricity bill
The general rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the higher you increase your temperature settings, the more energy you will be using. The opposite of this is true in summer when you’re cooling your home down. Generally, for every 1°C you turn up the heating in winter, you’re using around 10% more energy.
Which AC settings to use
If your AC unit comes with a range of modes, it may seem obvious that heat mode is the best choice to use for the winter months.
In most cases, this assumption would be correct but there are some conditions under which it might be best to change the setting. For example, if you live in a humid area it might be best to use the dry setting so that you can reduce moisture levels. This won’t be as effective at heating but is more energy efficient than heat mode.
Keeping your home energy efficient
Beyond your AC unit itself, there is a range of ways you can make your home more energy efficient. These can be structural changes or even minor lifestyle tips such as:
Insulate your home so that less heat escapes
Seal up any air gaps around doors and windows
Shut doors to rooms that nobody is using
Invest in double or triple-glazed windows which trap heat more effectively
Change or clean the air filters in your AC unit
It may also be well worth having your AC unit serviced by a professional before winter hits. This means you can be sure that you’re getting the most out of your air conditioning when you’re heating your home.
If you have a particularly old AC system you may even decide it’s time to have it refitted and move to a more efficient system that will save you money on bills in the long run.
If you do decide you need some maintenance on your AC unit, or that it might be time to have a new one installed, we are ready to assist. You can get in touch with us via email at info @coughranelectrical.com.au or call us on 0266804173 and we’ll organise an initial consultation when it suits you.
