Why winter can be the best time of year to buy an air conditioner
In Australia, it’s understandable to think of air conditioners as a way to beat the heat when summer rolls around. However, there are several reasons why winter can actually be the best time of year to buy an air conditioner.
With lower demand, greater deals and reverse cycle technology to keep you cosy in the cooler months, this season offers buyers a range of benefits. Read on to discover why investing in a new air conditioner this winter could be a great idea for your budget and comfort!
Plus, we answer some of your most frequently asked questions about using an air conditioner in winter. From temperatures and timers to symbols and modes, you can learn how to stay warm with maximum energy efficiency.
Benefits of buying an air conditioner in winter
Here’s why winter is often the best time of year to buy an air conditioner in Australia:
1. You’ll have more time to shop around
When it comes to finding the right air conditioner, it’s important to take the time to research the best options for your space and budget. By deciding to purchase an air conditioning system in winter, you can shop around until you find the ideal solution – without the urgent need to escape summer heat waves.
Instead of rushing this purchase, you can compare the different features and prices of various air con models, as well as receive quotes from the best suppliers in your local area. Having done your homework thoroughly, you can be confident that you are installing an air conditioner for the best price and in plenty of time before summer temperatures set in.
2. You can beat the summer crowds
Another big reason why winter can be the best time of year to buy an air conditioner is the relatively low demand. Technicians are often swamped in summertime, when most customers scramble to sort out their air conditioning. Consequently, if you leave your air con to be installed during the warmer months, you could struggle to get your space cool and comfortable as quickly as you’d like due to the longer wait times.
On the other hand, our technicians tend to have more availability in their schedules during winter and can therefore schedule your job sooner. With extra fast turnarounds, this is often the best time to buy an air conditioner.
3. Air conditioners are cheaper in winter
Demand for air conditioners tends to cool down along with the weather. The good news? You can make the most of this off-peak period and save money. As well as End of Financial Year sales, suppliers will be offering all sorts of deals and promos to keep up demand in the low season. View the latest offers from NewAge Air.
As spring brings more sunny days, plenty of people will begin to buy air conditioner units again. As demand grows, suppliers will have less need for deals.
Another reason for the seasonal surge in air con specials is that manufacturers want to get rid of last year’s models as they create new versions. Some suppliers will pass these cost savings onto customers during the colder months – a win/win each winter!
4. Reverse cycle air con will keep your home cosy
Remember that an air conditioner can use reverse cycle technology to take care of both heating and cooling your space. And it’s important to keep your home or office comfortable as temperatures fall.
In winter, a reverse cycle system absorbs outside air and warms it up via a chemical reaction using refrigerant gas. It then circulates the warm air throughout the system to heat your space.
During the summer months, this system operates in reverse, pulling in and cooling warm air from outside. Both split systems and ducted systems use this technology to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature in any season.
Reverse cycle air conditioners can heat up a space quicker and more cost-effective than portable heaters, thanks to their power and output capacity. The inbuilt thermostat will automatically adjust or switch off the unit once the set temperature is achieved, helping you to save on electricity costs all year round.
When summer eventually comes, you’ll already have a top-of-the-range cooling solution installed and ready to keep you comfortable.
What symbol is heat on an air conditioner?
The symbol for heat on an air conditioner remote tends to look like the sun. Alternatively, look for the word ‘HEAT’.
Once selected, you can usually adjust the temperature using up and down arrows labelled with the word ‘TEMP’. Pressing the up arrow will increase the level of heat in the room, while pressing the down arrow will reduce it.
Most air conditioners feature symbols and settings similar to the above. That said, with so many makes and models to choose from, understanding the specific controls of your AC system can be challenging. If in doubt, please consult its product manual to confirm which symbol represents each function.
What temperature to set your air conditioner in winter in Australia
According to Canstar Blue, you should set your air conditioner’s temperature to approximately 18 to 20°C in winter for maximum energy efficiency.
This is only a general estimate, as the perfect temperature varies depending on several factors. For example, elderly or ill people and babies may need a slightly warmer space. In particular, those with respiratory conditions such as asthma may benefit from a higher temperature, as cold air can irritate the bronchial tubes and exacerbate breathing difficulties.
Therefore, we suggest setting the temperature of your air conditioner in winter to anywhere between 17°C and 22°C depending on who is in the room, the current outside temperature, and how energy efficient your air conditioner is.
Do air conditioners dehumidify when heating?
In short, no. An air conditioner does not dehumidify when running in heating mode.
If the outside air is colder than your room’s temperature, then condensation will form on the inside of your windows – something known as ‘the dew point’. The air conditioner’s coil must be below the dew point to absorb moisture from the air – and this is not achieved during heating mode.
However, air conditioners can dehumidify slightly as a side effect of the cooling process. Your unit’s compressor will remove moisture from the air if the room temperature exceeds 2°C above its set point for cooling. For example, if your air conditioner is set to operate at 22°C, the room temperature must be 24°C or over when it is switched on.
How does this work exactly? To understand dehumidification, you first need to consider the way in which an air conditioner creates a colder environment.
Essentially, a cold chemical refrigerant flows through the evaporator coils of your air conditioner, absorbing heat to cool the air in your room. Once the refrigerant reaches the compressor and condenser outside, it releases excess heat into the air. Then it flows back inside to continue the cycle.
The air surrounding the indoor evaporators is very cold, so condensation begins to form. Excess moisture gathers on the air conditioner tray before being removed out the window or via a floor or wall drainage system, depending on the type of AC you have installed. As any condensation is drained outside, the humid air inside gradually becomes dryer.
That said, it’s important to note that while some dehumidification may be achieved in cooling mode, this is not the primary purpose of your AC unit.
Which mode is best for AC in winter?
Heat mode is generally the best option for AC in winter if you want to get cosy fast. However, split system air conditioning can also be set to other modes in winter, such as dry mode or freeze protection mode.
Typically represented with a water drop symbol, dry mode is designed to decrease humidity levels inside when the air outside is humid and cool. If your region experience’s mild, wet winters, then dry mode can create a more comfortable space indoors by absorbing excess moisture and replacing it with clean, dry air. Importantly, dry mode should only be run for one to two hours at a time.
Ideal for a rainy winter’s day, dry mode is usually more energy efficient than heating and cooling modes – but it may not be as effective when the outside temperature drops significantly. Rather, freeze protection, or low heat, mode is best on extremely cold winter days.
In this case, your AC runs on a low power setting that continuously releases warm air into your space. That way, the room temperature never falls below freezing, meaning you can protect your pipes, electronics and artwork from the cold without hiking up your energy bills.
Is a reverse cycle air conditioner a heat pump?
Yes. If you warm up your room with a reverse-cycle air conditioner during winter and cool it down in summer, then you are using a heat pump.
That’s because a heat pump is any machine that transfers heat in both directions. In winter, a reverse-cycle air conditioner extracts heat from the outside air and draws it into your room. During summer, the AC cools down your space by removing heat from inside and releasing it outside.
Learn more about how reverse cycle air conditioning works.
How to use ducted air conditioning efficiently in winter
Ducted air conditioner units are hidden away in the roof cavity of your home or workplace, with only the sleek ceiling vents and thermostat in view.
If you need to heat more than three rooms, reverse-cycle ducted air conditioning may be the most cost-effective option for heating and cooling. However, following heavy use over summer, this ducted air conditioning will need some extra TLC during the colder months.
Here’s how to use ducted air conditioning most efficiently in winter:
Choose an energy-efficient system
Before you buy an air conditioner, take a look at its energy rating, which is portrayed using blue and red stars. The blue star rating represents its cooling efficiency, while the red star rating concerns its heating efficiency.
Slight increases here can translate into big savings in the long term, so it pays to take these stars into account.
Set the temperature carefully
As mentioned above, set the temperature between around 17°C and 22°C. It might be tempting to raise the temperature drastically if you wake up shivering, but even 17°C will feel warm when it’s chilly outside.
Remember that the higher you set this figure, the harder your air conditioning needs to work, and therefore the more energy it will consume. Each extra degree equals about 10% more energy being used.
Start your A/C early in the morning
It’s often assumed that the later you turn on the heating, the more money you will save because it is operating for less time. In reality, the most efficient way to run your heating is to turn it on first thing in the morning. That way, your air conditioner doesn’t have to struggle against well-established cold air to keep your space comfortable.
Be patient, too. Raising the temperature right up at the start of the day will have your heating eating up way more power than necessary. The unit will need less energy if you leave it to gradually warm up and maintain the temperature in your room.
Take advantage of air conditioner timers
With built-in timer technology, you can preset your air conditioner to turn on when you get up for the day and turn off when you go to sleep for the night. With ducted air conditioning, you can even time its operation at the zone level, only heating specific rooms at particular times. Waste less, spend less.
For instance, you could set a timer to switch on the heating in your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen every morning at your usual wakeup time. Meanwhile, your living room heating could be set to switch on when your favourite TV show airs each evening.
Keep the filters clean
Heavy use over the summer can lead to a buildup of dust and debris in your reverse cycle air conditioner. This is a big problem, as dirt can clog the unit’s filters and force it to use more energy when heating your room.
By cleaning your air conditioning system’s filters throughout winter, you can not only boost energy efficiency but also help to prevent health issues.
Why? Filters help to purify the air that passes through them, capturing dust, debris and bacteria in their netting. As a result, there are generally less allergens in the air. If these nasty particles accumulate to the point that they harm the air conditioner’s ability to perform effectively, however, it no longer achieves this benefit.
Combined with dry heated air, you may begin to notice irritated eyes and skin, cold-like symptoms and more – all caused by a dirty or blocked filter.
That’s why we advise cleaning your air conditioner filters at the start of the winter season and at least every month thereafter. To do this, simply take out the filters, rinse them with warm, soapy water and leave to dry before inserting back into the unit as instructed in the product manual.
Service your ducted air conditioning system
To ensure your heater is operating at optimum efficiently, you need to schedule a service at least once a year. This expert assessment and care will help your unit to stay functional and effective in any season.
Our top tip? Book your service outside of peak season, such as around April or May as part in preparation for a cosy winter! At NewAge Air Conditioning, our experienced technicians can service and repair your AC system in Newcastle at a competitive price.
Close doors and windows
Last but not least, support your air conditioner’s heating efforts by keeping your space well insulated. That means closing all windows and doors (both external and internal) to prevent cool air from entering the room and warm air from leaving it.
By heating only the rooms you are using that day, you can conserve energy and keep your expenses to a minimum while staying comfortable.
How to use split AC in winter
A reverse cycle split system air conditioner uses both an indoor and outdoor unit. During winter, the indoor unit draws in cold air from your room and sends it to be released outside, while the outdoor unit extracts heat energy from the external air, condenses it and pumps it inside. Insulated tubes connect these two units via a concealed hole in the wall.
When it comes to how to use your split AC in winter most efficiently, many of the rules above apply: set the temperature to a modest 18-20°C in the morning, use timers throughout the rest of the day and keep its filters clean. It’s also a good idea to close all windows and doors for extra insulation.
However, there are a few additional considerations to factor in for split system air conditioning. For example, you should ensure that your outdoor compressor has enough cleared surrounding space to expel cold exhaust air easily.
Additionally, key parts of your split system that need to be serviced and cleaned include:
- The outdoor unit, its compressor and heat exchanger;
- The indoor unit, its fan, filters and coils; and
- Grilles and/or louvres.
Always choose a licensed air conditioner technician with the expertise in split system AC to assess all of these components carefully.
Get the best price on your air conditioner this winter
Now that you know why winter is the best time of year to buy an air conditioner, it’s time to take action and install a reverse cycle split system or ducted system.
While it may involve a larger upfront investment than a portable heater, this energy efficient solution could lead to significant savings on your energy bill in the long run. And thanks to our increased availability in the winter months, we’ll get the job done quicker than ever!
At New AgeAir, our accredited technicians provide cost-effective air conditioning installation across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Port Stephens, Maitland and Hunter Valley. Make the most of our air conditioner specials this season and get in touch for a free quote today!