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.

Jason Gent
These guys were amazing to deal with, I can see why they have all 5 star reviews. Great communication, value, price and service. Every team member ...
Jason Gent
These guys were amazing to deal with, I can see why they have all 5 star reviews. Great communication, value, price and service. Every team member from sales to admin/ scheduling and installers were prompt, courteous and a pleasure to deal with. The whole process from start to finish was flawless, thanks again!
Jason Gent
Jason Gent
Aftaar Atik
A well deserved 5 🌟 rating to Smarter AIR & Electrical for a Samsung Ducted Systems. From initiation to completion everything was a breeze...
Aftaar Atik
A well deserved 5🌟 rating to Smarter AIR & Electrical for a Samsung Ducted Systems. From initiation to completion everything was a breeze. These guys are the best in Brisbane and I highly recommend them for all your air-conditioning requirements. Benji and team showed up on time and did a amazing job,also cleaned up the site.
Aftaar Atik
Aftaar Atik
D Llyd
Clean looking finish. Quick install. Professional from start to finish! Highly recommended if you're considering ducted air-conditioning.
D Llyd
Clean looking finish. Quick install. Professional from start to finish! Highly recommended if you're considering ducted air-conditioning.
D Llyd
D Llyd
Nicole & Brindley Rouse
Huge thanks to Benji and the team at Smarter Air Electrical for an awesome job installing our new aircon! From start to finish, they...
Nicole & Brindley Rouse
Huge thanks to Benji and the team at Smarter Air Electrical for an awesome job installing our new aircon! From start to finish, they were professional, efficient, and really took care in everything they did. Even the apprentices were fantastic—you could see how well they worked together, and the whole team just got stuck in and got the job done. They were careful around the house, cleaned up after themselves, and made the whole process super easy for us. A special thanks to Amanda in the office for always keeping us informed. We are very happy! Thanks for making our days a lot cooler 🙂
Nicole & Brindley Rouse
Nicole & Brindley Rouse
Philip Elisara
Excellent service from Alex and Amanda in the office communication was on point always kept us up to date with what was going on and ...
Philip Elisara
Excellent service from Alex and Amanda in the office communication was on point always kept us up to date with what was going on and talking us through products etc. To the install team Led by Benji and his team the boys were respectful cleaned up and did an excellent job. Also a mention to Jake the electrician as well thanks guys the best experience with any company hands down. We will be recommending the team to anyone after ducted aircon.
Philip Elisara
Philip Elisara
Kayley Parkinson
We couldn't be happier with our new ducted air conditioning system. Alex, Louie and the team at Smarter Air and Electrical were amazing to deal ...
Kayley Parkinson
We couldn't be happier with our new ducted air conditioning system. Alex, Louie and the team at Smarter Air and Electrical were amazing to deal with throughout the entire process. The team were polite, friendly, punctual and their workmanship is excellent. Highly recommend!
Kayley Parkinson
Kayley Parkinson
Sean & Katrina Yacoubian
The installers were excellent. Arrived on time and we did a preliminary walk around to check positioning of everything was correct. Very stress...
Sean & Katrina Yacoubian
The installers were excellent. Arrived on time and we did a preliminary walk around to check positioning of everything was correct. Very stress free install. Price was extremely good. Would highly recommend giving Smarter Air & Electrical a call if you’re thinking about air conditioning.
Sean & Katrina Yacoubian
Sean & Katrina Yacoubian
Jason Trembath
A big thank you to Benji who was very friendly and professional. He provided a great service and ran through questions we had. He fixed ...
Jason Trembath
A big thank you to Benji who was very friendly and professional. He provided a great service and ran through questions we had. He fixed up a few items which was greatly appreciated to ensure we have our system running well. I highly recommend Benji from Smarter Air. Thanks as well go Amanda and Andrea as well for being warm, friendly and professional to deal with when booking everything in, and getting our service and repairs in straight away.
Jason Trembath
Jason Trembath
Greg Chijoff
Not Happy Jan. Despite the company being told in advance of my unique situation - a 3 storey townhouse with limited roof void space, necessitating the ...
Greg Chijoff
Not Happy Jan. Despite the company being told in advance of my unique situation - a 3 storey townhouse with limited roof void space, necessitating the probable use of a scissor-lift and access through the steel roof, Smarter Air accepted the job for ducted air installation and took a deposit. Deposit transferred November 29. First site inspection January 10. Project declined January 13. Not only has this set back other activity such as the installation of roof top Solar panels, but I had declined two other reasonably priced proposals [also Black Friday deals]. Now I have to go back to scratch and restart with new Project quoting from competitors. I have elevated the star rating by '1' as I did eventually get the refund back, after a reminder two days later.
Greg Chijoff
Greg Chijoff
James Herbert
We couldn't be happier with the fantastic service provided by Smarter Electrical! They recently upgraded our air conditioning system, and the entire process was seamless ...
James Herbert
We couldn't be happier with the fantastic service provided by Smarter Electrical! They recently upgraded our air conditioning system, and the entire process was seamless from start to finish. The team was professional, punctual, and incredibly knowledgeable. They took the time to explain all the options available and made sure we chose the right system for our home. The installation was done efficiently and with great attention to detail, leaving everything clean and tidy afterward. Our new air con system works perfectly, and we can already feel the difference in comfort and efficiency. We would highly recommend Smarter Electrical to anyone looking for a great service and expert advice. A big thank you to the team, especially Tom, Hayden and Chris for their excellent work!
James Herbert
James Herbert

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