Air Conditioning In Winter: How To Use Ducted Air Conditioning Efficiently!

Phill Crawley

Smarter Air & Electrical

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As winter approaches, now is the perfect time to master the efficient use of ducted air conditioning to manage running costs effectively. Shorter days and colder weather often mean increased time spent indoors, which can result in soaring energy bills.

However, enjoying a warm and cozy home shouldn’t break the bank. In this guide, we’ll explore eight actionable energy-saving tips to help you optimize your ducted heating system for minimal energy consumption and maximum comfort.

Air conditioning in winter

Tip #1: Optimize Temperature Settings

The key to slashing your energy bills starts with fine-tuning your air conditioning settings. If you’re a homeowner in sunny Queensland, our recommendation is to aim for 24°C for cooling during those scorching summer days and a comfy 20°C for heating when winter rolls around. Tweaking your temperature settings even slightly can make a big difference in energy usage, leading to noticeable savings on your power bills! Now, if your roof is decked out with solar panels, you’re in for a treat. You can comfortably run lower temperatures on sunny days, knowing your solar panels are offsetting the operational costs of your air conditioner. Just a heads-up, though: if you don’t have a battery system, make sure to adjust the temperature back up at night when your solar setup isn’t generating electricity.

Smart Ducted Air Conditioner

Tip #2: Make the Most of Built-in Timer Functions

Air conditioning is a real lifesaver in summer ensuring we always have a comfortable indoor environment, particularly when all you need is a good night’s sleep. However, running it continuously through the night can be a quick way to drive -up your energy bills. This is where the built-in timer or scheduling functions come in handy. These features are standard in most modern air conditioning units, such as those from Mitsubishi Electric. A savvy approach is to check overnight temperature forecasts from a reliable weather source such as Weatherzone to work out  the most suitable time for your air conditioning to automatically switch off in the evening. Once the system is off, simply open your windows to let in some fresh air.

For those looking to further enhance their home’s efficiency, consider incorporating smart home products & sensors like Shelly for added functionalities. Automation platforms like IFTTT or Zapier can be particularly useful. For example, in summer, you could set up an IFTTT recipe to turn off the air conditioner when the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature then for that extra touch of user-friendliness, you can set your Google Home to play a melody, serving as a geeky reminder to open up your windows for natural ventilation.

Tip #3: Invest in Quality Insulation and Sealing

Wondering why your energy bills are through the roof? One likely culprit is poor insulation and sealing. Inadequate ceiling insulation allows hot air trapped in the roof cavity to transfer through the plasterboard and into your home, making your AC unit work harder and increasing your energy bills.

“It’s almost daily I’m in a customer’s home to provide a quote on ducted air conditioning, and when I come out of the roof space, more often than not the client is completely unaware that they have no ceiling insulation. So we always start with that. Adding high-quality ceiling insulation such as Knauf Earthwool is a no-brainer investment in your home and comfort. Aim for R3.5 or higher!” – Phill, Smarter Air & Electrical

Sealing is insulation’s trusty companion. Small cracks around windows and doors can significantly impact your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Periodically check these areas and seal any gaps with weather stripping or caulk.

To put it simply, good insulation and sealing will not only reduce your energy costs but also make your home more comfortable year-round. It’s a smart investment for any modern home aiming for maximum efficiency.

Ceiling Insulation

Tip #4: Regular Maintenance is Key

Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in your air conditioner, affecting its efficiency and potentially posing health risks. To maintain optimal performance, clean your filter every month and schedule professional air conditioning maintenance or annual service. At Smarter Air & Electrical, we offer high-quality repair and maintenance services at affordable prices.

Service Costs

Tip #5: Choose Energy-Efficient Models

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, pay attention to the blue and red energy rating stars. These ratings indicate the unit’s efficiency in both cooling and heating, and even minor improvements can lead to significant long-term savings.

Tip #6: Consider a Ducted System

For larger homes requiring climate control in multiple rooms, a ducted air conditioning system is often the most energy-efficient option. Many ducted systems allow you to add smart thermostats like MyAir or Airtouch, which offer smartphone controls and advanced temperature-sensing technology.

Tip #7: Implement Window Treatments

Adding curtains, blinds, or drapes to your windows can further insulate your home and reduce energy consumption. These window treatments block direct sunlight, keeping your home cooler during the day, and offer the added bonus of enhancing your interior décor.

Tip #8: Seal Your Doors and Install Weatherstripping

A straightforward way to minimize energy loss is by keeping doors closed, especially when the air conditioner is running. Installing weatherstripping around your doors can offer extra savings by preventing drafts and heat leakage.

Get a Quote for Winter Air Conditioning

Smarter Air & Electrical is your go-to for professional split system and ducted air conditioning installations. We offer competitive quotes, quality workmanship, and excellent customer service. For personalized advice or a quote on quality air conditioning on the Gold Coast, contact our friendly team today at 1300 476 421 or Contact Us Today.

Scott Booth
We had a great experience from quote to install. I spent a year shopping around for air conditioning solutions and this mob had the best ...
Scott Booth
We had a great experience from quote to install. I spent a year shopping around for air conditioning solutions and this mob had the best price and the best service by far. An easy decision.
Scott Booth
Scott Booth
Jade Marsh (Jadey k450)
Had ducted aircon installed very promptly. Chose this company due to their customer satisfaction and importance for continuing to offer support. Have had to have ...
Jade Marsh (Jadey k450)
Had ducted aircon installed very promptly. Chose this company due to their customer satisfaction and importance for continuing to offer support. Have had to have technicians out twice to replace sensors and the second technician was absolutely phenomenal and gave use amazing advice.
Jade Marsh (Jadey k450)
Jade Marsh (Jadey k450)
Goran Radosavljevic
Very professional and friendly people at the same time, so easy to deal with. They always come on promissed time and deliver all 100%. They run ...
Goran Radosavljevic
Very professional and friendly people at the same time, so easy to deal with. They always come on promissed time and deliver all 100%. They run like ants, everyone knows what he's supposed to do and before you know it's ready to be turned on, when they start showing you how to control your new AC. Well done Smarter A&E, very happy with what you've accomplished. I strongly recommend this business to everyone.
Goran Radosavljevic
Goran Radosavljevic
Zuzana Husak
Smarter Air & Electrical made the choosing and installation of aircon a breeze. From the first contact, through inspection and installation I was impressed with ...
Zuzana Husak
Smarter Air & Electrical made the choosing and installation of aircon a breeze. From the first contact, through inspection and installation I was impressed with the professional service, punctuality, tidiness and politeness. I would highly recommend the team, in fact I already have. Thank you Alex, Davis, Tom and the boys.
Zuzana Husak
Zuzana Husak
Dave B
The guys were great. Professional, polite and efficient. Arrived on time, completed all work to a very high standard and left the house cleaner than ...
Dave B
The guys were great. Professional, polite and efficient. Arrived on time, completed all work to a very high standard and left the house cleaner than when they started. Would not hesitate to recommend Smarter Air to anyone.
Dave B
Dave B
Aslam Chapri
Excellent!!! The customer service was outstanding. Alex went above and beyond to help me finding the product I wanted. They efficiently and in time replaced ...
Aslam Chapri
Excellent!!! The customer service was outstanding. Alex went above and beyond to help me finding the product I wanted. They efficiently and in time replaced my old ducted aircon system. The installation team, Tom, Jacob, Levi and rest of the team were highly professional and polite and tidied up nicely after completing installation. Davis' initial site inspection was very informative. I highly recommend Smarter Air & Electrical.
Aslam Chapri
Aslam Chapri
Frankie Smith
Contact from start to finish was good, company was very responsive. Guys who installed were polite and professional. Price was much better than other quotes ...
Frankie Smith
Contact from start to finish was good, company was very responsive. Guys who installed were polite and professional. Price was much better than other quotes we got too. Happy all around, would highly recommend
Frankie Smith
Frankie Smith
Aaron Bey
Had our ducted aircon installed today the team was on time very professional and very efficient and tidy. It has been an amazing experience...
Aaron Bey
Had our ducted aircon installed today the team was on time very professional and very efficient and tidy. It has been an amazing experience from initial contact to quoting through to site visit and install. Didn’t try to sell us anymore than we need and really knew what they were talking about. Would highly recommend to anyone look to have air con installed. Thanks to the whole team.
Aaron Bey
Aaron Bey
Adam Staier
These guys are great. From initial quote right up to demonstration after it was installed they’ve been brilliant. Ours was a tricky install...
Adam Staier
These guys are great. From initial quote right up to demonstration after it was installed they’ve been brilliant. Ours was a tricky install due to access issues and they absolutely nailed it. Friendly professional staff and they work hard.
Adam Staier
Adam Staier
Anna Marcantelli
Have had the team from Smarter Air and Electrical do an aircon system for our shop and it’s absolutely changed our life. We were...
Anna Marcantelli
Have had the team from Smarter Air and Electrical do an aircon system for our shop and it’s absolutely changed our life. We were dying from the heat before but the guys had it installed in no time and couldn’t have been any easier to deal with! From calling up and booking in to having the system installed was seamless and the super friendly team made the decision that much better! Will continue to use these guys and always recommend to anyone in the future needing any air conditioning and electrical work done!
Anna Marcantelli
Anna Marcantelli

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