Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners Archives

Looking for a summer and winter air conditioner

September 17, 2014 by Barney Brisbane Air

Most people think of air conditioning as a system that cools in the height of summer. Yet a unit also set up as a winter air conditioner has a number of benefits. These include reducing the spread of germs and producing an atmosphere ideal for those that suffer with air-based allergies. Clean air and an ambient temperature will make those indoor days more comfortable, and help the festivities flow during a fabulous family Christmas. Here we look at how you will benefit with a winter air conditioner, also commonly known as reverse cycle air conditioners.

What is a winter air conditioner?

You might think of a summer air conditioner as one which pumps ice cold air into your home or office, though one of its main benefits is the way it removes moisture to dehumidify – dry air means less sweat. A winter air conditioner helps to maintain a comfortable temperature while humidifying the space it serves; in other words, it does the opposite to a summer air conditioner and helps you feel warm rather than cold.

Contrary to popular belief, a winter air conditioner is one of the most efficient ways of keeping your home warm (Ausgrid, 2011). And when combined with a summer air conditioner in the same unit, no longer will there be a need for two separate systems to keep your home or office at the most comfortable ambient temperature. That’s going to save on maintenance costs, too.

The benefits of a winter air conditioner

Though it may be a little more expensive to install than conventional winter heating systems, the running costs of a winter air conditioner will surprise most home owners. A winter air conditioner keeps you warm at half the cost of a gas heater and a third that of electric convection heaters. Apart from the money saved, here are some other benefits of installing a winter air conditioner:

The air filtration system keeps internal atmosphere free from dust and other pollutants, making staying indoors comfortable for those with allergies and helping to prevent germs spreading.
The ideal room temperature is reached rapidly, with control at the touch of a button.
A winter air conditioner is a quiet way of keeping your home at the perfect temperature, and when installed in a conservatory will increase the space in your home (a great addition for Christmas).

Stay warm in winter and save money

The benefits of a winter air conditioner will be obvious from its first operation, and the cost quickly repaid by reducing energy bills. With a number of winter air conditioning solutions available, there will be a system to suit your home and budget. Our experts will be happy to help you choose the best unit for your home, so that you can begin to take advantage of all the benefits a winter air conditioner offers.

5 tips for making the right choice for air conditioning performance

September 11, 2014 by Barney Brisbane Air

AC Unit Front When used effectively, air conditioning not only increases comfort in the home and office all year round, but also saves on energy and reduces utility bills. The many benefits of air conditioning are seen fully by planning ahead, but with so many different types of air conditioning available the choice can be mind boggling. Here are five tips to make the right choice for air conditioning installation and performance for your individual needs.

Think about your space

The first consideration when selecting your air conditioning is that of the space it is going to serve. If in a home, you’ll need to think about the size and layout of rooms, and which rooms will be used most often. If you are installing office air conditioning, then you may need to cater for an open plan office as well as consider future zoning needs.

Choose the right type of air conditioning

There are several types of air conditioning available, including ducted air conditioning and split system air conditioners, the suitability of which will depend upon the required use. Ducted systems are generally best for whole of house and single storey buildings, while split systems are more commonly used in specific areas of homes and office buildings.

Be energy efficient

The more energy efficient your air conditioning unit, the more cost effective it will be. Here in Australia, air conditioning units are rated on the Energy Star System. This rating combines the energy efficiency ratio and coefficient of performance with the type of refrigerant gas used. This produces a star rating between 1 and 10 (10 being the most efficient). Higher efficiency equals lower running costs.

Size your units correctly

Air conditioning units that are too big or too small for the space and location will be less efficient. For maximum air conditioning performance, size really does matter. You’ll need to consider the size of rooms, their locations, and what types of use they will receive when selecting the optimum size for your air conditioning units. This article will help you answer the all-important size question.

Don’t forget maintenance

Even the highest rated energy efficient air conditioning units will require regular maintenance to keep them performing at their peak. Think about where the air conditioning units will be placed, not only for air conditioning performance but also for ease of access. A well maintained air conditioner will give up to 60% better energy
consumption – make sure your air conditioning is easily maintained and serviced regularly.

These five tips will help you make the best choice for peak air conditioning performance. If you require further help, then contact us now to arrange an onsite consultation with one of our air conditioning experts.

Can You Use Your Air Conditioner As A Heating System?

May 9, 2013 by Barney Brisbane Air

Many people don’t realise that it IS possible to use an air conditioner as a heating system…if you have a reverse cycle system. A reverse cycle air conditioner works by transferring heat from the outside air and then passing it over a coil that is filled with a refrigerant.

Once the liquid is heated, the refrigerant goes through a compressor and into a condenser and the hot air is released into your home or office. These systems are much more energy efficient than traditional heaters and can use up to 2/3 less energy!

To cool your home with these air conditioning units, all you need to do is change the settings to the reverse cycle and the refrigerant will cool the air rather than heating it.

Advantages to Reverse Cycle Systems

There are a number of considerable advantages to using these air conditioning units. First, this is an extremely efficient way of heating your home. Secondly, there are no open flames, so your risk of fire is much, much lower. With reverse cycle air conditioning units you can have access to BOTH heat and cool cycles with the same unit!

There are several different types of reverse cycle air conditioning units, including:

Split System Air Conditioners
Multi-Split Air Conditioners
Ducted Air Conditioners
Inverter Air Conditioners

Split system AC units have a compressor that is located out of your building, while the internal fan unit is located inside. One advantage to these particular units is that they are very quiet.

Multi-split systems are split system air conditioners that have multiple internal units. These are excellent choices for larger buildings with lots of space.

Ducted systems are used for heating or cooling several rooms at once. These systems usually work best for people who like to have all of the rooms of their home or office at the same temperature.

Inverter reverse cycle systems are air conditioners that have a variable speed compressor. These systems are very energy efficient and usually take much less time to heat up. Since these systems adjust gradually to maintain the temperature of the room, you likely won’t be bothered by the noise.

If you live in the Brisbane area and are in need of air conditioner installation or repair, you should contact us today. The experts at Brisbane Air have been providing air conditioning services in the area since 1982 and have a reputation for outstanding service and value.