Archives for October 2013

Here at Brisbane Air we do everything possible to ensure our customers are safe around electricity. A few weeks ago we posted a list of ten electrical safety tips for the home, but now summer is on its way we thought we should post a few more that are really pertinent to the warmer weather. Of course, we all know that any appliances we buy or use should be approved and regularly tested for faults, but here are some other things you should do to help keep you and your family safe:

A Dozen Do’s of Summertime Electrical Safety

• Never cover a hot appliance with a towel or other household item, or clothes.
• Always unplug unused electric appliances (this will save money too).
• Never use extension leads in bathrooms or other wet areas.
• You might be in and out of the pool a lot: make sure you dry your hands thoroughly before using any electric appliance.
• If any electric appliance falls into water, throw it away. And don’t reach into the pool to retrieve an electric appliance, even if you think it has been turned off. Don’t be afraid to call an expert.
• Prevent little fingers playing with electric outlets by blocking them off with solid cover plates.
• Don’t swim when there’s an electric storm brewing: a bolt of lightning striking you is a million to one shot, but you don’t want to be that one in a million.
• Keep all of your electrical tools locked away in a dry place.
• Don’t overload your plugs with multiple appliances. It might be hot, but running a dozen fans off one socket is asking for trouble.
• If a fire is caused by electricity, whatever you do don’t douse it with water. Use the correct fire extinguisher and learn to use it properly: Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep the flames (remember PASS an extinguisher over an electric fire).

Here at Brisbane Air we want everyone in the communities we serve to be safe and have a great summer. Electricity is probably the most important household energy supply we have, but it can also be the most dangerous. By using electricity wisely, and paying heed to the simple rules of safety around electricity, not only will you be teaching your kids how to use electricity in the right way, but you’ll also ensure you have the kind of fun filled summer you deserve.

The Energy Rating of an appliance must be displayed when it is sold, and so it’s easy to see how efficient the appliance is.  The Australian government uses an Energy Star Rating system. One star is the least efficient, all the way up to the most efficient rating of 10 stars. Appliances that have to be Star rated include:

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Clothes washers
• Dishwashers
• Air conditioners
• Televisions

The Energy Rating Label offers consumers two main pieces of information:

• The Energy Star rating is a comparative assessment of efficiency
• The comparative energy consumption gives an estimated amount of energy the appliance will use over a year, based on typical home use.

Energy Stars and Air Conditioning

You should never buy an air conditioning unit that doesn’t have an Energy Star label. The Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) program is required by Australian law, and stipulates that air conditioning units must reach a certain standard to be sold and provided to consumers.

The most energy efficient air conditioners are recognised by the award of a TESAW, a government sponsored award that replaced the Galaxy Award system and is presented every year.

Measuring Air Conditioning Performance

An energy efficient air conditioner’s efficiency depends on a number of qualities, including age, standard of maintenance, and internal components, as well as the type of system it is. There are two main measurements of energy efficiency used to show how efficient an air conditioning unit is:

1)      Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)

The EER is how the cooling performance of an appliance is measured, and is typically shown in kilowatts. The cooling capacity is how much heat can be removed from a room, and the heating capacity how much can be added.

2)      Coefficient of Performance (COP)

Heating provided by an air conditioning unit is extremely efficient compared to other heating methods, because the amount of power used is lower for comparative heating capacity. The COP is a measurement of a unit’s energy efficiency when heating a room.

Don’t forget the gas

Air conditioners use refrigerant gases to cool air. It’s this gas that was the cause of so much concern when the global warming arguments were at their strongest. The most common used refrigerant gas was R22, and is still used in Australia today. However a new gas, R410a, has a higher thermal volumetric cooling capacity than R22, and produces better thermal exchange properties. If that sounds a little technical, then simply remember this: R410a gives better energy efficiency and is greener than most other refrigerant gases.

A Final word about Energy Stars

The Energy Star rating of an energy efficient air conditioner combines all of the above factors to give a ‘one sight’ visual comparative measure. The more Energy Stars an appliance has, the more efficient it will be: and that means cheaper energy bills and a cleaner and greener planet for all.