Queensland is on storm alert, with meteorologists predicting four cyclones in the 2013/14 period. In preparation, the Queensland government is promoting a ‘Get Ready Queensland’ campaign, giving tips on how to prepare for the storms and the clean-up required after.

With over 30 years-experience in the Brisbane area, Brisbane Air know more than most about the damage that can be caused to electrical equipment during a storm. Often forgotten is the air conditioning unit: potentially thousands of dollars of damage can be caused in a single second. It is easy to see the importance of taking precautions against storm damage, and here we give some easy to follow guidance on how to do so.

Before a storm

• Get in touch with a reliable and qualified air conditioning technician and/ or electrician, and have them come and check for readiness. Speak to him about electrical surge protectors for your air conditioning installation.
• Turn off the air conditioning unit.
• Once the air conditioning system is switched off, cover the outside unit with a tarpaulin or cover. Make sure it is tied down securely.  Always remove the cover, before turning the air conditioning system back on.
• Disconnect the unit from the mains supply.  Turn off the isolation switch.

After a storm

• Never switch your air conditioning on immediately after a storm.
• Check outside units for damage.
• Inspect surrounding areas and the units, ensuring that the vicinity is clear and there is no debris in the units.
• If in any doubt, then call for professional maintenance help.

When you are completely sure that your air conditioning units are clear and ready to be switched back on, then first check that all internal switches are turned off. Then reconnect the supply at the mains before switching your units back on. This will ensure that there is no unforeseen power surge, and help prevent your air conditioning unit’s internal electrical parts from any late stage damage.

The bottom line

Your air conditioning installation is an expensive and essential element of your comfort at home, in the summer and the winter. By spending a few minutes ensuring you are prepared for a storm, you could save a lot of aggravation, heartache, and cost later.

If you have any questions, or wish to discuss protecting your air conditioner further, then feel free to contact the technicians at Brisbane Air.

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.

It seems that the cost of heating and cooling our home increases every year, and it’s hard to keep up with the extra expense. Using these 5 tips to lower your electricity bill, compiled by Brisbane Air’s electrical experts, you’ll find your bills falling by hundreds of dollars.

1. Start small and turn appliances off

Leaving televisions, DVD players, Wi-fis, and computers on stand-by when they’re not in use adds as much as 10% to an electric bill: turning such devices off at the wall when not used, is an immediate money-saver.

Fridges and freezers use more power when they are nearly empty, as do dishwashers.

Keep heaters away from windows, and don’t heat or cool unoccupied rooms.

Use only as much water in the kettle as you require, and hang your laundry out on a dry day rather than using a tumble dryer.

2. Pay attention to lighting

Just like turning off appliances and only heating occupied rooms, never leave lights burning without reason. Using LED lights will also save on energy costs, so switch straight away if you haven’t already.

3. Use air conditioning wisely

Just as with heating and lighting, if you’re not using a room then having the air conditioning blasting will eat up your cash. Air conditioning units also work far more efficiently when they are clean, so make sure you have them serviced regularly with filter cleaning as part of a regular household maintenance program.

4. Compare energy costs and consider solar

It’s easy to compare the energy costs of different electricity supply companies, though when you do, you should ensure you compare against actual usage: measuring a cheap-rate tariff against a day-rate tariff will only mislead. Even though installing a solar energy system is a major up-front expense, the ongoing savings could be worth thousands.

5. Maintain and service your electrics regularly

Well maintained electrics work more efficiently, like a clean engine drives further on a gallon of fuel. A once-a-year service of your home electrics and appliances by a licensed electrician will spot problems early and make sure you’re not paying over the odds for your electrical costs.

Reducing your electric bill is not difficult, but requires new habits and an energy conscious mind set. Discussing how you could cut hundreds of dollars from your bill with a licensed electrician is the first step to doing so.

At Brisbane Air, our air conditioning and electrical services experts have drawn up this list of 10 tips for electrical safety in the home.

1. Look after your electrical appliances

Always follow instructions, and hold a plug to connect and disconnect from the socket. Ensure your appliances are in good order, and pay special attention to cords: worn electric cords should be replaced by a licensed electrician.

2. Safeguard from children

Make your electric outlets childproof.

3. Teach children about the dangers of electricity

Children love copying, it’s how they learn. When using electricity, set a good example and talk to your children about how to use the electric appliances safely.

4. Protect against power surges

A power surge is unpredictable, and can damage computers, televisions, air conditioners, and other expensive devices. Always unplug appliances when not in use.

5. Use safety devices

Surge protectors will help protect appliances whilst in use, and safety switches – a legal requirement in new homes – cut the power within 0.03 seconds of a problem occurring. A licenced electrician will be happy to advice on the most appropriate safety devices to use.

6. Beware of overhead and underground power lines

Keep clear of power lines when working on electrics, particularly when repairing a roof, pruning trees, or working on a swimming pool. If work is needed underground, always make certain it’s safe to do so and check with the Dial Before You Dig service on 1100.

7. Water and electricity don’t mix

Remove electric appliances from bathrooms, near sinks, or by the pool, always drying hands before touching electrical appliances. When using appliances near water only ever use electric cords designed for use in wet areas.

8. Feel a tingle, call an expert  

If you feel tingling when using an electric appliance, turn off the electric at the mains and call a licenced electrician. You should keep abreast of emergency procedures, too.

9. Report faults immediately

Any electrical accident which requires medical treatment should be reviewed and the source of the problem resolved, to precent recurrence. Also, as a tenant, if you notice a potential electrical hazard, you should report this to your landlord or property manager and request immediate rectification.

10. Call the experts

Never attempt electrical work yourself: always use the services of a licenced electrician. They know what they’re doing, they’ll have all the right equipment, and their work will be guaranteed.

A little expense will save a lot of heartache.