Winter is approaching, and while we may only have mild winters in Queensland and on the Sunshine Coast, you can count on a few cool evenings and mornings. While you may be looking forward to cuddling up on the sofa and binge-watching Netflix in your Uggs, no one wants a high power bill come Spring. So we’ve compiled a list of 9 useful suggestions to help you stay toasty while also reducing your power cost to a minimum this winter.
Let the Sun…Shine!
We’re fortunate on the Sunshine Coast and in other areas of Queensland to still get a decent dosage of Vitamin D throughout the winter months, so leave your curtains, blinds, or shutters open during the day to let the sunshine in. Your indoor plants will appreciate it, and the few degrees of warmth you maintain will mean less work for your air conditioner when you get home.
Grab a Rug
Uncovered flooring may account for up to 10% of your home’s heating loss, so whether you have timber floorboards or tiles, cover them with a good rug to keep as much heat as possible. On those chilly mornings, a nice floor rug will also feel much better on your bare feet!
Lock in the heat
While you want to let in as much sunlight as possible during the day, once the sun goes down, it’s best to cover your windows and glass doors. Because glass has a high level of thermal conductivity, when the temperature outside drops, windows and glass doors let all the heat out. Your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep the temperature stable. If you have ordinary curtains, you might consider adding a lining for an added layer of protection.
Pick and Choose the spaces you heat
While it may sound like stating the obvious, limiting the amount of area that your air conditioner is attempting to heat is one of the most efficient ways to heat your house. The less space your air conditioner is heating, the less time and energy will be required to reach the perfect temperature and maintain it. Close any open doors and block off any entranceways that may allow heat to escape – this is especially critical if you’re trying to heat the basement section of a two-story property.
Seek out any cracks, or seals
While a nice breeze isn’t the worst thing in the summer, cold draughts may substantially drop room temperature even with the doors closed. To prevent this, fill up any holes below your doors with a door snake and check the seals around your window sills. While they may appear insignificant, all of these draughts build, causing your air conditioner to work harder.
Make use of timers and eco-mode
Most modern split and ducted systems offer timer or eco-mode capabilities that let you regulate when your unit turns on and off. Set this to turn on just as needed, and be sure to set the sleep timer before going to bed — this will prevent your air conditioner from running all night.
Maintain a reasonable temperature
Setting your system to an extremely high temperature forces your unit to work harder and longer to attain the desired temperature, consuming more energy. When utilising heating mode, we recommend keeping the temperature between 22ºC and 24ºC and not adjusting it during operation. This should guarantee that everyone is at ease and that your unit isn’t working too hard.
Clean your filters
If the filter in your split or ducted system is unclean, your unit will have to work harder to take in enough air, consuming more energy than it should. Making sure your filters are clean is critical to ensure your split system runs as efficiently as possible. So give them a thorough cleaning before the cold season arrives. For filter locations and the best way to clean them, consult your user handbook or reach out to the friendly team at Port City Air for some advice.
Regular System Servicing
Cleaning your split system or ducted unit’s filter on a regular basis is fantastic, but it doesn’t negate the importance of getting your unit serviced on a regular basis to ensure it’s functioning as effectively as possible. A specialist will be able to inspect the internal components, as well as the gas levels and a variety of other factors, to ensure that your unit is operating at peak efficiency as winter approaches.
If you want system service or advice on any aspect of your air conditioning system, contact the specialists at Port City Air Conditioning on the Sunshine Coast; we provide free quotations on both system installation and servicing.