Evaporative, Ducted and Split Air Conditioners – What’s the Difference?

Learn 5 easy tips to fix common ducted heater problems. Troubleshoot issues and keep your home warm this winter. Professional help available.

With utilities prices set to rise later this year, many Canberrans are researching what changes they can make to reduce their bills and carbon footprint. Changing over from evaporative cooling and ducted gas heating systems, as well as swapping to an induction cooktop can sometime cost a small fortune and take time for the average household to gather the necessary funds. Some homeowners even turn towards the banks to secure a loan for these additions, but with interest rates the way they are now, who knows how much that will cost in the long run. However, there is another way in the form of the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme supported by Brighte . The ACT sustainable household scheme is a government program designed to give Canberran residents access to 0% interest loans between $2,000-$15,000 on a range of products focussed on making homes more sustainable and less energy dependent. This can range from new reverse cycle heating/cooling systems , to the installation of new induction cooktops and electric ovens. The focus is that you are replacing older, inefficient technology with new more energy efficient systems that reduce will your carbon footprint and your energy bills. There are two ways to go about securing a loan under the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme. You can either apply for a loan directly through their website, making sure to give all information requested from Brighte. From there, they will provide you with access to dozens of accredited vendors for the work you are looking to have done. There you can choose who you want to be quoted by and decide what is the best way forward for you and your household. Another way is to secure a quote from a company that is affiliated with Brighte without contacting the Brighte organisation yourself. Once you receive a quote and are happy with the service provided, your quote can be referred to Brighte by the company on your behalf. Brighte will then make contact and request from you the relevant information to complete the application process. Once approved, your installation can be booked in and installed, with no need to worry about paying deposits before work commences. Once both parties are satisfied with the installation, Brighte will then pay the vendor, and you can sit back and relax in the comfort of your new air conditioning system. Here at AirConditioning Canberra we are Brighte affiliated vendors. We strive to make sure the quoting and installation of your system is as quick and painless as possible. We send our qualified and experienced technicians to provide you with your quote, not salespeople. This is to ensure that the quote for your installation is properly engineered for its intended purpose, and so you can discuss all your technical questions with someone qualified to answer them. To see if your home is eligible under the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme, click this link here . If you would like to organise for one of our qualified technicians to come and provide a free, no-obligation quote on your next air conditioning or electrical installation, contact our office on 02 6111 2914 or click on this link here .

With modern homes becoming increasingly more dependent on electricity, the way your electricity is delivered in your home is now more important than ever. The switchboard located in every house, apartment, or flat contains circuit that control the flow of power from the main line to every light switch and power outlet of your home. But with the reliance on electricity increasing, when is it time for your switchboard to be upgraded and what does that involve? Listed below are a few reasons why a switchboard upgrade is a worth while investment for your home. Safety: The main reason to have your switchboard upgraded is for the safety of you and the other members of your household. Older switchboards from twenty years old and older might not conform to today’s electrical standards. Nowadays, switchboards are fitted with circuit breakers that have inbuilt safety switches which not only keep your appliances safe but will also keep you and your family safe from any electrical incidents that may occur in your home. If your system is 20 years old or older, or if it has the older rewireable ceramic fuses, it might be time to organise for an electrician to inspect and provide a quote for a switch board upgrade for your home. AirConditioning Canberra has a team of qualified and experienced electricians who can provide a no-obligation, free quote on switchboard upgrades and other electrical work for your home. Better Performance: Older switchboards were designed to deal with the anticipated loads of the home at the time it was built. With more of our lives revolving around our appliances, these older switchboards might not be able to keep up with these new demands. Overloading and circuits constantly tripping are a sign that your switchboard might not be able to deal with the load that is being exerted upon them. If you’re finding that your circuits are constantly tripping, it might be time to call an electrician to investigate and upgrade your switchboard. Required for Certain Appliances: Certain appliances will also require the upgrade of your switchboard to accommodate them. Solar installations and larger ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning systems require new switchboards with modern circuits with inbuilt safety switches to be installed before the larger installation can occur. This is usually anticipated when the company quoting the work comes to inspect your property. Here at AirConditioning Canberra, our qualified refrigeration specialists and electricians will walk you through the process, telling you what is necessary for your installation and what the steps are to talking to your energy provider should they need to be involved in the upgrade process. To find out more, click here . If you have experienced any of the issues mentioned above, or if you think its time to update your switchboard, give AirConditioning Canberra a call. Contact our office on 02 6111 2914 or click here to contact us online. We’ll organise a time for one of our electricians to provide you with a no-obligation, free quote on your electrical work and have your switchboard upgraded in no time.

Is your system leaking a fair bit of water outside? Is it periodically not blowing warm air? Don’t worry, your system might just be performing a “defrost” cycle. For those with new reverse cycle systems who aren’t used to this function, sit back and relax, and let us explain why there is nothing to worry about. When in heating mode, your air conditioning system extracts heat from the air outside and transfers it to the interior of your home. The defrost cycle will start as the temperature of the exterior heat exchange becomes too cool (0 o C and below), causing moisture in the outside air to freeze on the surface. Your outdoor unit sensors will detect this this build-up and will initiate a “defrost” cycle, causing the indoor and outdoor fans to stop whilst keeping the compressor running to melt away the ice to prevent build up. This cycle will continue until the outdoor heat exchange temperature rises and the ice melts away. This is why it can appear like large amounts of water are leaking from your system and why warm air can stop blowing from your system inside. Its just the system doing its job to maintain peak efficiency. Many factors can contribute to how often your system will go into “defrost” mode. This can include the outdoor temperature and humidity, how high you have your system’s temperature set to, the cleanliness and condition of your system, and if your system is the correct size for the area. If you find your system going into “defrost” mode more than before, there are steps to reduce this: · Ensure there are no physical barriers around your outdoor unit that will block the airflow to the unit. · Keep the temperature of the unit set at a reasonable level. Higher temperatures will cause the system to defrost more frequently and will use more energy to reach these higher temperatures. · Make sure your system is regularly maintained and serviced every 12 to 18 months. A system that is regularly serviced will operate at peak efficiency, prolong the life of your system and reduce running costs. · Have a system that is correctly sized for the space its placed in. A smaller system will struggle in the cooler months to heat a space too large for its capacity. This in turn will make the system go into “defrost” mode more frequently and will be more prone to breakdowns and service calls. When researching systems, ensure the company you employ have experienced technicians to provide your quote . If you’re worried that there may be an issue with your system or its performance is not what it used to be, it may be time to have one of our qualified technicians come and have a look at your system. Our technicians can provide a service to check over all components of your system, cleaning your interior system as well as checking your outdoor unit to ensure peak efficiency. If you’re worried your system may be too small for the area its placed, our technicians can provide a quote to install a system that is up to the task. Whether it be a reverse-cycle ducted or wall mounted system, our technicians will measure up the area and make sure your system is correctly sized to heat and cool your home, especially during our cold Canberra winters. For any questions about your system or to book in a quote or service, call AirConditioning Canberra .

Reverse-cycle split systems have become one of the go-to heating and cooling solutions in the Canberra region. Their ability to heat and cool a space efficiently and quietly have made them one of the most popular installations for apartments and small homes. As amazing as wall-hung split system can be, sometimes issues can arise, such as water leaking out of the internal unit. Why is this happening you ask? Here are a few reasons that can lead to your split system leaking water: Blocked Condensate Drain: When your air conditioner is set to cooling mode, your system will create condensation by removing moisture from the air as it travels over the internal heat exchange. This condensation is then captured and funnelled into a drain which leads away from the interior of your home to the outside unit of your system. When the air circulates through your system, small particles can become trapped in the condensation and can settle in this drain, causing build-up and blockages. These blockages then cause the drain in your system to back up and water to drip from the internal unit. When this occurs, a technician is needed to come and assess the blockage and clear it for you. Higher Humidity: As explained above, your split system will remove moisture from the air when in cooling mode; as warm, moist air passes over the internal heat exchange. During times of high humidity, some systems can struggle with the added condensation leading the system to drip water. A small amount of water is nothing to worry about, but if there is anything more than a few drips here and there you should involve a technician . Dirty Filters: Every split system has filters that are serviceable by their owners or operators. These filters trap fine particles such as dirt and dust in the air to keep these particles from adhering to the internal coil. When the filters are dirty and blocked, the coil receives far less airflow which can cause the moisture in the air to freeze onto the coil. This ice will then melt, causing your system to leak. We recommend cleaning these filters at least every 3 months to limit the likelihood of this happening. Poor Installation: A system is only as good as its manufacturing and installation allows. If your system is of lower quality or if it has been installed incorrectly, issues like those mentioned above can occur. When your split system is installed, it is paramount that a trained and experienced technician is there to ensure that the drain is run correctly so that the condensation flows down and away from your system. In more complicated installations, sometimes a condensate pump is needed to help with this process. When looking at installing a new split system, ensure an experienced and trusted air conditioning company is employed to provide you with a quote to ensure any difficulties with your future installation can be identified and accounted for. We hope this has shed some light on this issue, but for any further questions, please contact AirConditioning Canberra.

How to make your house more energy efficient? Why do you want a more energy efficient house? The easy answer, you can save dollars and save the planet at the same time. Many may not know this, but AirConditioning Canberra has a team of fully qualified electricians. Our electricians are used to work alongside our air conditioning gurus, but are also here for any other electrical needs. We have enlisted their help to request the quickest and easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient so that you can spend your save money on more important things, like a trip down Perisher in the winter or a trip to the coast in the summer. Our top tips for making your home more energy efficient: 1. Turn off all electrical appliances at the switch when not in use, even the kettle. This may seem like an obvious one to some, and not so obvious to others. One thing you may not know is that electrical appliances use standby power, or “vampire power” when they are not actually in use – like they are waiting to be used again. In some houses up to 75% of power used is with appliances that are turned off. The important thing to remember is that there is a difference between when you switch off an electrical item at it’s on/off button, and when you switch it off at the wall. For desktop computers, best to turn off the screen and not leave a screensaver running as this will cost you more energy as well. 2. Look to purchase new appliances with good energy efficient ratings. Government regulations in Australia demand that all new appliances sold have energy efficiency ratings. These are a great guide as to which brands are most efficient. Call our team to discuss the ratings on our recommended air conditioners . 3. Install solar panels (if you can afford it) – the average household generates 7 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Solar panels help to reduce this. Essentially, with solar panels, a significant amount of energy is generated by the home itself. Saving you energy and money! 4. Heating and Cooling – a quick an easy way to reduce energy and bills in your house is to alter your heating and cooling set temps – we recommend you keep the house at around 22 degrees all year round. Also, make sure any windows and doors are closed when you are using your systems to ensure a more efficient heating or cooling of the house. Another important fix is to seal up any gaps that might be letting your heating or cooling in or out to save energy. 5. Insure your home is very well insulated – a home that is well insulated will help to control the temperature of your home better 6. Ditch the dryer – this is probably a very unpopular point of view to share, but your washer and dryer use up to 13% of your household energy. If you can hang the clothes out and let them dry naturally, you are saving energy and dollars. 7. Install LED lights where you can – LED lights are proven to be longer lasting (100x) than normal lights and more energy efficient, as they use much less power than regular lightbulbs. Outlaying the cash to change your lightbulbs could save you bulk cash. These are just a few of our tips and tricks to make your house more energy efficient, but there are many ways. Call AirConditioning Canberra and we can put you in touch with our on-hand electrician to talk you through your customised options for your home.

Why AirConditioning Canberra do not install ducted system in the height of summer? It may not be common knowledge to all, but let’s get something out on the table. Any reputable air conditioning company that looks after its employees would avoid installing ducted air conditioning systems in the height of summer. This may sound like an unusual thing to hang your hat on, but let’s consider what is involved when it comes to installed ducted systems into your homes in Canberra. How are ducted systems installed? The way that majority of ducted air conditioning systems are installed is by placing the indoor units into the ceiling note: ducted systems are also installed under the floor, but for an existing home, it is more common to install into the ceiling. The installation process involves a lot of duct work that is required in the ceiling, and this is long and grueling work which really should be avoided during the hotter months. Our qualified experts can spend anywhere between 1 to 2 days in the roof installing your ducted systems, with anywhere between 1-4 people in the roof at any one time. When would this be? In Canberra, the peak hottest times are obviously in Summer. Canberra certainly turns up the heat in January and February. Last year, Canberra recorded a record high of 44 degrees Celsius in January. In fact, generally January is Canberra’s hottest month each year, so this is certainly the month that would be avoided when installing ducted air conditioning. Overall, it would be unlikely that AirConditioning Canberra will accept bookings for duct work during any of Canberra’s super-hot periods, pending the weather forecast. Best to organise duct work in the other months of the year. We care about our staff. So, the real and simple answer to the question Why AirConditioning Canberra do not install ducted system in the height of summer? AirConditioning Canberra first and foremost care about the safety of our workers. It is simply too hot for the roof work, and way too hot to expect workers to get up in the roof cavity. All of AirConditioning Canberra’s workers are either qualified electricians, qualified air conditioning mechanics, or working towards getting qualified under an apprenticeship program. AirConditioning Canberra knows it is important that their health and safety is considered for all work that they are requested to do. Make sure you book in your ducted system work for our upcoming cooler months to ensure you are ready for all that Canberra throws at you weather-wise in this new year of 2022. Contact Us now for a fast quote!

What do we do in Canberra over the Christmas / New Year School Holidays? 2021 has been a tough year for Australia and the world, which makes the Christmas and New Year school holiday period even more important this year. People around Australia are holidaying in Australia, which is a beautiful concept, and something we are sure many wouldn’t have considered unless COVID struck. We are down with this concept, but we say go one step further and suggest checking out your own backyard aka Canberra. You don’t even need to do the research; we’ve got you covered right here. How to holiday in Canberra: Canberra Christmas Market A 2-day market with over 90 stalls, the markets act as a place people can go to satisfying all of their Christmas needs. The vibe is fabulous for families with carols a plenty and special guest Santa Claus. Find the markets at Exhibition Park in Canberra on the 12 and 13 December. If the markets are not your thing, head to Belconnen Mall or the Canberra City Centre, not only for your Christmas shopping, but to find some delicious food and other fun things to do. Get out of Canberra It’s no secret that usually a Canberran’s favorite thing to do is, leave Canberra. Go for a road trip to the South Coast, it’s only a short 2.5 hour drive down the road. Our favorite venue for coastal bliss is Ulladulla/ Mollymook. The crystal blue ocean at Mollymook beach (and surrounds) is worth the five hours in the car. If you prefer to drive and stay, we recommend booking accommodation NOW as it is rare to find accommodation this time of the year as we assume at least 70% of the population at this time of the year is made of Canberran’s and Sydney-siders. For something a little closer to home and for adventure seekers, head to Burrinjuck Dam, which is about an hour and a half out of town. The family and friends can enjoy a day of water sports, BBQ’s and even stay a night or two (if availability of accommodation permits). It’s a beautiful part of the world, and at Canberra’s doorstep. New Years Canberra does not do things by half during New Years. 2021 will still see the infamous street celebration alongside fireworks that are better than you expect. At this stage, the 2021 fireworks display spots and timings have not been confirmed, but history states there will be two sessions (9PM and MIDNIGHT) and the best spots to camp and watch are: Civic Square, Garema Place and Lake Burley Griffin (a number of spots). Personally, we think it’s a smart idea to find a venue near / at one of these spots and pre-book tickets so you can have the best of all worlds. Dinner, drinks and fireworks. There are adult and kid friendly places in Canberra, get Googling and booking. Don’t forget – while popular opinion of people that have not had the privilege to visit Canberra and Surrounds in Summer is that it is cold, we Canberran’s know they are sorely mistaken! The heat is HIGH and DRY and when you are not lucky enough to get to the beach or the dam, you will need relief in the comfort of your home with the air conditioner cranking. If you don’t have air conditioning, get it! If you do have it, ensure it is serviced (every 1 year is the recommended timeline) so you do not have to deal with one second of discomfort in the hot summer days.

We at Air Conditioning Canberra emphasis this a lot, but it is to ensure the health and safety of our customers, ensure your air conditioning units are serviced regularly to avoid unnecessary costs, health problems, disasters, or periods of time where you family is not being kept warm or cold. 1 - Loss of gas / refrigerant Loss of gas or refrigerant in an air conditioning unit can be due to a number of factors, but the most common factor is wear and tear over time. You do not want a refrigerant leak in your unit as it will affect the systems overall performance, and it can also create negative effects on your health. It is important to get your air conditioning unit serviced to avoid any refrigerant leaks. If you air conditioning system is well maintained, you will not lose any refrigerant gas, saving you any unnecessarily headaches in the future. In the event that you have a refrigerant leak, ensure you get this looked at as quickly as you possibly can. 2 - Compressor / Motor Failure Compressor / motor failure in your air conditioning unit can be caused from a number of factors, all of which can be prevented with regular services. Some of the causes of compressor / motor failure include: if there is not enough oil lubricant in your system, if there is not enough the system cannot work properly. If there are contaminants in the system like moisture, dirt, leaves or acid. If there is too much refrigerant, it can cause problems. There can be electrical failure, caused my numerous things. Blocked suction lines, which you will notice if the system is not cooling adequately and lastly another problem that can occur is dirty coils, when dust and other things build up on your condenser coil. You are not expected to remember, or know these potential issues, this is the job of the team at AirConditioning Canberra. Each of these things and more will be checked as part of a regular service and clean of your system, so please ensure you book your next service. 3 - Vermin Vermin and pests can cause problems in all parts of your dwelling, but specifically we have found that they can be a real issue for your air conditioning units. Mice, rats, etc. are common terrors for your air conditioning units. Mainly, they like to get into your unit and chew the electronics, this is not ideal and will not benefit you. Be sure to stay on top of your vermin problem in Canberra and call A1 Professional Pest Control for all of your pest removal needs. 4 - Electrical Failure / Power Surge If there is a storm, and lightening decides to strike this could cause a power surge in your house which can damage your air conditioning unit, among other electrical items in your house. We highly recommended that you have proper circuit protection to avoid this from happening as the cost of ensuring it does not happen is much less than replacing all of your electrical items in the house. A clean, regularly serviced air conditioner not only is less likely to break down but is also more efficient. At the end of the day this saves money and helps reduce power use which is obviously a good thing for our environment.