Keeping air conditioning costs down in winter

Clean or replace the filters

Some of the most basic maintenance jobs do the most for efficiency. Before winter, work through these:

• Clean dirt and debris off the return air intake grilles.
• Clean or replace the return air filter.
• For underfloor systems, move furniture and anything else sitting over the return air vents.
• Clear the area around the outdoor unit so air can move freely through it.

These small jobs lift the efficiency of the system and save you money on running costs. The best time to clean or replace filters is just before winter and just before summer.

During operation, filters gradually block and restrict the flow of air through the system. Keeping them clean means the system runs at its best. There is more on how filters work in filters explained.

Check the ductwork

If your system has ductwork, it is worth having the ducts checked for holes and loose connections. Ductwork matters for two reasons:

• Holes and loose joints open up what should be a closed system. Heated air escapes into the roof or under the floor, so the system runs longer for the same result and costs more.
• Cold air drawn into the ducts makes it harder for the system to keep the house warm. In a bad case it can no longer cope with the load.

Having a licensed technician check the ductwork is a good investment in keeping winter running costs down. A technician can also point out things that do not need attention now but will later. Find an accredited dealer through the dealer locator. There is more on caring for a ducted system in caring for a ducted air conditioner.

Cover the windows

If the aim is lower running costs in the colder months, window coverings help your heating do its job. External shutters, awnings and insulated curtains all make a difference, and the more windows the house has, the more they matter.

Coverings slow the loss of warmth through the glass and keep cold air off the rooms, so the system finds it easier to keep the house warm.

On sunny days, open the coverings and let the sun in. You save on lighting and the sun does some of the heating for you. Close them again at night to keep the warmth in.

Set the temperature sensibly

Set a heater or reverse cycle air conditioner to 18 to 20 degrees in winter, and check the temperature after the unit has run for 30 minutes. Every one degree increase can add up to 10 per cent to the heating part of your energy bill. That figure comes from the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism's Good Energy Practice Guides.

The lower you can comfortably set it, the less the system has to do. For more on choosing a setting, see the set point guide.

Have the system inspected once a year

There is plenty a homeowner can do to keep winter running costs down, but it is also worth paying for an inspection by a licensed technician.

At the start of winter, or during it, have an expert look over the system and confirm everything is working as it should. An inspection can turn up small faults that are quick to fix before they become expensive problems. What a service should include sets out what to expect from that visit.

An accredited dealer has a back-up service department, so the people who installed the system are also the ones who can look after it. Find one near you through the dealer locator.

Before winter

• Return air grilles cleaned and the filter cleaned or replaced
• Furniture moved off underfloor return air vents
• Area around the outdoor unit cleared
• Ductwork checked for holes and loose connections
• Window coverings closed at night and opened to the sun by day
• Thermostat set to 18 to 20 degrees and left there
• Annual inspection booked with a licensed technician

Every accredited ACDA member runs a back-up service department and works to the ACDA Standards, so the dealer who installs your system can also keep it running efficiently. Find one near you with the dealer locator.