Ducted Air Conditioning Settings for Comfort and Efficiency
Did you know Australians spend over $2.9 billion annually on air conditioning? That’s a substantial investment, albeit one most of us deem a non-negotiable, given our scorching summers and chilly winters.
As Brisbane’s ducted air conditioning installation experts, we know a thing or two about getting these household essentials working in a way that keeps your ambient temperature and your wallet comfortable. The best part? It normally just takes a few tweaks of the settings. So if you love a temperature controlled environment, but hate the associated price tag, this article is for you!
We explore the ducted air conditioning system and discuss everything you need to know about getting yours working at peak performance and cost-effectiveness throughout the winter and summer months.
Understanding Ducted Air Conditioning Systems
Before we dive into the ins and outs of the best settings for ducted air conditioning systems, let’s take a quick look at the specifics of this type of air conditioning. Ducted air conditioners are a popular choice for whole-home or large-area cooling and heating, thanks to their ability to distribute conditioned air evenly through several rooms.
They consist of a central unit connected to a series of ducts installed in the ceiling in the various rooms. The ducted air conditioner pulls air from the environment, cools or heats it, and then expels it through these ducts.
Key Components and Their Roles
By understanding the key components of ducted air conditioners and what they do, it can be easier to manage the optimal performance and efficiency of these systems:
- Thermostat: The brain of the operation, the thermostat allows users to select their desired temperature. It controls the air conditioner by automatically activating and deactivating it according to the set temperature, ensuring consistent comfort.
- Vents: Positioned in key areas around the home, vents are the exit points for conditioned air to enter living spaces. Strategically placed, they ensure an even flow of air throughout the various spaces.
- Ducts: Consider these the channels through which the conditioned air makes its journey from the unit to the vents. Ensuring the proper sealing and insulation of these ducts is essential for reducing energy loss and ensuring efficient operation of the system.
- Outdoor Unit: Home to the compressor and condenser, expelling heat from the house to the outdoors when cooling, and drawing heat in when heating.
- Indoor Unit: Usually located under the floor or in the ceiling, this unit houses the evaporator coil responsible for cooling or heating the air before it makes its way through the ducts.
Summer Air Conditioning Tips
Below, you can find our top recommendations for ducted air conditioning settings to ensure your system is doing its best and most cost effective work during the warm summer months:
Consider the Ideal Summer Temperature Settings
When it’s 35°C and 70% humidity outside, we know it can be tempting to rev up your ducted system to maximum power and minimum temperature. Unfortunately, this approach is better in theory than in practice, often overwhelming your air conditioner, and consequent electricity bills to follow. 24°C to 25°C is considered a sweet spot for air conditioning systems in summer, balancing comfort and energy efficiency.
While one degree beneath this may seem like an insignificant change, it can actually bump up your energy consumption by a hefty 5-10%.
Use Programmable Settings
You’ve had a long stressful day at work and you want to return home to a perfectly ‘chilled’ environment. We get it. Many people are tempted to leave their air conditioning running all day to make this dream a reality. However, making use of programmable settings to start the cooling process shortly before you arrive home is a far smarter choice. This is a great way to ensure your home is at the ideal temperature when you walk in, without your air conditioning unit having to work overtime.
Take Advantage of Zone Control
Many modern day ducted air conditioning systems come equipped with zone control. This feature allows you to select the rooms or areas within your home to cool, instead of merely having your air conditioning ‘on’ or ‘off’. By avoiding cooling unoccupied rooms, you can promote the peak performance of your ducted system, while reducing energy waste and environmental impact.
Embrace High Fan Speed in Summer: The Key to Humidity Control and Comfort
In the hot and humid climate of South East Queensland, preventing condensation becomes crucial for maintaining a healthy and efficient ducted air conditioning system. While it might seem counterintuitive, high fan speed is your secret weapon.
Why High Fan Speed Wins:
- Condensation Buster: Lower fan speeds can lead to trouble. They cause the air moving through your ducts to be colder, making flexible ductwork and grilles icy cold. This increases the risk of condensation or ‘sweating’—a recipe for potential mould and damage.
- Even Cooling: High fan speed circulates cool air more effectively throughout your home. This reduces temperature variations from room to room, ensuring everyone stays comfortable.
- Minimal Energy Impact: Yes, high fan speed uses a bit more energy, but the increase is comparable to running a ceiling fan. The benefits far outweigh the minimal extra cost.
By embracing high fan speed, you’re not just cooling your home more effectively; you’re protecting your investment and ensuring your system runs smoothly for years to come.
Avoid Heat Build-up During the Day
While not a ducted air conditioning setting per se, avoiding heat build up in your home during the day is a fantastic way to give your air conditioning system a leg up. By keeping your home naturally cool, for instance, by closing blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight, your air conditioner will have a heap less work to do. This is a simple and highly effective way to increase efficiency and reduce air conditioner running costs.
Winter Air Conditioning Tips
Here, you can read through our suggestions for optimal ducted air conditioning settings to use during the winter months to keep you warm and your energy bills cool:
Consider the Perfect Winter Temperature Settings
Similar to scorching summer days, those crisp winter days may tempt you to get silly with your ducted system temperature settings. In winter, setting the temperature to 20°C to 22°C is usually sufficient. By staying within this thermostat range, you can create a comfortable environment without overexerting your air conditioner, overheating your space, or spiking your electricity bills.
Switch to Heat Mode on Reverse-Cycle Systems
Setting your ducted air conditioner temperature to 30°C in cooling mode might sound like a tropical dream, but it’s an ineffective, energy consuming nightmare. If your ducted air conditioning system is a reverse-cycle model, be sure to switch it to heating mode before attempting to heat your space. This settings switch is essential for optimal performance and energy savings, as well as ensuring your ducted air conditioning efficiently warms your home during the colder months.
Program Your Heating to Match Your Schedule
Programmable settings are ideal for setting heating times that align with your daily routine. For example, you can program your ducted system to start warming your home just before you wake up or before you return home from work, and to lower the temperature when you’re sleeping or out and about. This avoids wasteful energy use and harmful environmental impact while ensuring your home is toasty when needed.
Opt for a Low Fan Speed
Contrary to the hotter months, in which a high fan speed is often required to circulate cool air effectively, in the cooler months, a lower fan speed is often enough to do the heating trick. By opting for a low fan speed in winter, your ducted air conditioner can typically distribute warm air steadily without overdoing itself. This can result in maximum efficiency and friendlier energy bills.
Increase Efficiency with Advanced Settings
Many modern systems come with settings such as ‘eco’ or ‘energy saving mode’ that can assist with ensuring your air conditioning system’s peak performance while preserving energy usage. For example, ‘eco’ mode typically regulates the heating output by slightly lowering the maximum heat or adjusting the frequency of cycling on and off. This prevents the system from overworking by maintaining a steady, energy-efficient output rather than short bursts of intense heat.
Regular Maintenance for Optimal Performance
Regularly maintaining your ducted air conditioning system is an essential element of ensuring it operates at peak performance year round. Below, you can find a checklist containing the essential maintenance to-dos:
- Clean or Replace Filters: This simple step can prevent airflow blockages and improve efficiency.
- Inspect Ducts for Leaks: Check that air isn’t escaping through any gaps or holes, which can significantly impede on the efficiency of the system.
- Check Refrigerant Levels: Low levels can suggest leaks and can have a large impact on performance.
We recommend aiming for a professional check-up at least once a year. A great time to do this is just before peak heating or cooling seasons to make sure your ducted air conditioning system is fit for the task.
Ducted Air Conditioning Service Brisbane
By understanding the optimal ducted air conditioning settings for different seasons and maintaining your system with routine tasks, you can significantly boost performance and efficiency. However, it’s best to leave some aspects of maintenance (and all repairs) to professionals.
At Smarter Air and Electrical, we provide trusted ducted air conditioning solutions throughout Brisbane. Whether you need to keep cool during summer or stay cosy through winter, we’ve got you covered.
Contact us today to see how we can help you maximise the comfort and efficiency your ducted system provides.
