How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Winter.

1. Clean Filters First
Following a summer of heavy use, your filters may be soiled with a lot of dust and debris, so it will pay to clean them thoroughly or even have them replaced depending on their age & condition.

Clean filters provide better air quality, and allow your unit to run more efficiently, which can result in reduced running costs. Filters should be checked and cleaned on a regular basis. Unsure of how to clean your filter? We have a guide at the ready How to Clean a Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Filter.

Simply cleaning your filters is an easy way to prevent issues down the track.

2. Additional Cleaning
Now that your filter has been cleaned or replaced, there are other items which should be checked.

The most common item overlooked is the supply air outlets – dust, debris and cobwebs can build up on the outlets, so take some time to wipe these down and ensure the air you are receiving is the cleanest it can possibly be!

Next turn your attention to outside. The outdoor condensing unit is often overlooked when it comes to maintenance. Take some time to remove any leaves, bugs, cobwebs and general dirt from all around the unit. This will ensure maximum efficiency.

We also recommend keeping the unit clear of surrounding plants, branches and outdoor equipment where possible.

3. Operating the Unit
When it comes to Air Conditioning, efficiency is key! We recommend setting your temperature to between 22-24 degrees when in heating mode.

Setting your thermostat back even by a few degrees can reduce energy consumption by 5 to 10%.

More simple steps to improve efficiency:

  • Close doors and windows to prevent heat loss.
  • Close the doors to any rooms that don’t need to be heated; this will stop unnecessary dissipation of the heat.
  • Close curtains or blinds – this will keep the heat in and the cold out.
  • Don’t run the air conditioner when you are not home – it will heat your space very quickly once it has been turned back on.
  • Try turning it off overnight when you are tucked up in a warm bed.
  • Have your air conditioning unit serviced regularly to keep it running well, and prevent any faults.

4. Going the Extra Mile

To give the air conditioning system the best chance at efficiency we recommend taking the time to do a thorough audit of your home.

Find any spots that need draft-proofing, little devices like draft excluders and window seals are cheap to buy, and can make a big difference.

It may be wise to check your home’s insulation too: while it is a bit of a pain to replace, it can be well worth the trouble if it’s damaged or no longer working effectively.

Newer batts have a much higher rating than older variants and provide much better thermal protection.

For more information, servicing, and new units, please contact us.