X

Using air conditioning units to keep warm in winter

16 Mar 2021

Reverse cycle air conditioners are great for staying warm in winter, but we don’t always want to crank up our air conditioning unit if we don’t have to. We know loads of ways you can stay warm in winter, which is why we started our blog – air conditioning units are the main focus of our blog articles, but we cover much more as well.

You will want to consider ways to minimise your air con use – which we will discuss in more detail via our blog – home air conditioning installation though is a great start.

Lower the temperature control on your air conditioner

While it may be tempting to turn your air con up to a balmy 26 degrees plus on a cold day, you could probably cope just as well with a lower temperature. Try dropping your temperature to 20 degrees, especially while you sleep or are away at work, you’ll save a lot on energy and cost.

Use automatic or tech options on your aircon

If you have an aircon unit that has smart technology options, by all means, use them to customise your heating schedule. A lot of other units have automatic functions that you can set so your heating doesn’t kick in until the temperature drops to a specified figure. These are also great for setting to come on just before you get up in the morning, rather than having your air con run all night.

Ensure you have your aircon maintained annually

Air conditioning units run at their best when they are kept in tip-top condition. Ensure your aircon unit is regularly checked and cleaned. An annual maintenance check from a qualified professional is also a great idea. Not only will your air conditioner run more efficiently, but it ensures you can catch and repair small problems early on before they get much bigger.

Clear the zones in front of your aircon

Do a check on the areas directly in front of your air conditioner vents. You will want to remove any large objects or debris that could make your unit work less efficiently. Regularly clean the vents to remove any dust.

Rug up during the winter months

There’s nothing like getting rugged up in winter. Whether you like a good set of tracky dacks, ugg boots and a snuggly, or something else, it’s a great idea to add some extra layers. Putting on more clothing and blankets on your bed means you can use your aircon unit less and at lower temperatures.

Use a fan to circulate the warm air

Okay we know it sounds counter-intuitive, but ceiling fans are great for circulating warm air. If your ceiling fan has a directional switch, flip it over from your usual mode and run it on low speed. This creates an updraft and circulates the warmest air.

Harness the sun

If the sun is shining brightly outside, take advantage of it. Open the curtains and blinds for any sun-facing windows during the day, and let the sunlight to the hard work for you.

Benefits of Inverter Air Conditioning

Inverter air conditioning is more expensive than non-inverter air conditioning, but with the deteriorating state of the energy system in South Africa, it is a worthy investment to consider.  The main difference is that an inverter air conditioning unit delivers a fixed amount of power using a fixed speed compressor. The speed of the compressor varies, so as to deliver the precise cooling or heating power required.

Benefits of inverter air conditioning

  • Up to 40% cheaper to run as it consumes less power
  • Reaches the desired temperature quicker
  • Startup time is reduced by 30%
  • Much quieter when running
  • No temperature fluctuations, therefor maximizing comfort level
  • No voltage peaks from the compressor
  • All Samsung inverter air conditioners are heat pumps which in itself is one of the most energy efficient form of heating.

How does inverter air conditioning work?

The amount of cooling or heating required by an air conditioner varies depending on the outdoor temperature and the amount of heat in the room. When cooling or heating capacity needs to be decreased, the compressor will operate at a high speed and will increase the amount of refrigerant flow.

When the inverter air conditioner is switched on, the compressor operates at a high speed in order to cool or heat the room quicker.

Find out more - contact us today!