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How to Avoid an Electricity Bill Spike Because of Your AC
Ainsley Ovenden • August 2, 2022
Some of the most common AC problems we see spiking energy bills include lack of maintenance, dirty filters, poorly thought out AC systems, poor location of outdoor AC units and thermostats, and setting your thermostat temperature too low. These tips should help you keep the electricity bill low and comfort levels high. Read on to find out how to optimise your savings.
Ensure Filters Aren’t Clogged
By far one of the most common air conditioner problems is a dirty air filter that blocks your airflow and causes a series of worsening problems with everything from the outdoor unit to the evaporator coil.
When you don’t keep your filters clean, your air conditioner has to work overtime to keep the room cool by using more electricity and running up costs. An improperly maintained filter can also lead to a frozen evaporator coil or a frozen outdoor unit.
A blocked filter can also cause your compressor to overheat, which can cost you even more money in repairs. Clean air filters mean your air conditioning will work properly and provide you with better air quality.
Proper Planning & Design of AC System
To get the desired performance out of your AC system, you need to think about the optimal system for your particular home. Getting an AC system that’s too big or too small for your living spaces will run up costs by overworking or constantly turning on and off (short-cycling). Plan ahead of time by researching what the best unit is for the dimensions of your home.
Regular Service & Maintenance
It’s important to have regular service & maintenance on your AC system every year to ensure that all components are working efficiently. If you’re having AC problems such as refrigerant leaks, hot air, or the AC not turning on, a qualified professional can inspect and clean the system to diagnose and treat the problem.
Regular maintenance ultimately extends your system’s lifespan. HVAC specialists can check for:
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An overheated compressor
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Escaped air
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Evaluate signs of corrosion in the circuit breaker
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Identify drainage issues with the drain line
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Identify wear and tear of the fan motor
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Clean and replace dirty filters
Location of Outdoor Unit
If possible, don’t place your outdoor unit in a location that gets direct sunlight. If your compressor is in the sun, it has to work harder to cool down compared to if it were in the shade. However, be wary of trying to provide shade or hide your compressor with bushes, plants, or trees because they can get caught in condenser coils.
Be Mindful of Your Thermostat
There are a few helpful tips regarding your thermostat for lowering your energy bill. The first thing to consider is where to place your thermostat. Much like your outdoor compressor, you don’t want it to be caught in direct sunlight or placed too close to the hottest areas of the house which will cause it to kick in when you don’t necessarily need it to.
The other problem is setting your thermostat’s temperature too low. Ideally, you should have your thermostat set to the highest comfortable temperature in the hottest months so your AC unit doesn’t have to work too hard to cool the room.
Use fans to help circulate the air and make you feel more comfortable at hotter temperatures. Avoiding setting your thermostat below 25 degrees celsius will save you money on your electricity bill.
Book Your Annual Service & Maintenance With Hills Air Conditioning
Do you wish your air conditioner would pump out cold air at a lower cost? Do you have water leaking from your outdoor unit, a poor electrical connection, or does your compressor and fan stop working?
There are few things as amazing as a well-fitted air conditioning system to keep your home cool during those scorching Australian days. While many have systems to keep their home cool, the reality is that few consider a Sydney air conditioning service for maintenance until something breaks. Servicing your equipment at timely intervals provides an extensive range of benefits, so it’s certainly worth doing, but how often is often enough? Understanding Maintenance Requirements for Your Air Conditioning System Any air conditioning system requires servicing at some point. We’ve found that the best way to keep everything working is to service your air conditioning system at least twice a year, and certainly no less than once a year. But why is it so important to service your air conditioner, and why can’t you simply chance it until a breakdown, and then get repairs? The aim of a back-to-back or ducted air conditioning service in Sydney is to avoid any breakdowns from ever occurring in the first place. Damage in air conditioners are expensive to repair – and are almost always avoidable with maintenance. So, how does maintenance prevent downtime? Maintenance acts as a preventative measure. When professionals come to your home or business to service your air conditioning system, they will specifically look for signs of subtle damage or forming problems that could lead to the system breaking down if left unattended. They can then address these problems in a much more cost-effective way since nothing has stopped working yet. These small fixes will, in turn, increase the lifespan of the entire system. People certainly underestimate the ripple effect of minor damage. Maintenance for your system also involves cleaning the filters and other parts of the air conditioner – yes, sometimes bugs can get stuck in there. A well-maintained system provides cleaner air, minimises power consumption, and ultimately increases the life of the device. Signs You Should Get Maintenance for Your Air Conditioner Now that you know how often to get your air conditioner serviced, you might want to know which signs to look out for that indicate you should get that servicing sooner rather than later. Here are some common reasons to call our tradies for a check-up: The aircon doesn’t produce cold air anymore. No air seems to come through the unit. There’s an awful smell coming from the unit. The unit is making noises it never used to make. The thermostat of the unit seems broken. Please note that these problems don’t always indicate damage but can certainly lead to downtime if tampered with or ignored. We recommend always getting professional assistance with your air conditioners unless you are a qualified technician yourself. It’s always nice to want to fix things yourself, but it can cost you significantly more money if you mess up. If you need air conditioning maintenance for any brand of equipment, our team is always ready to assist. Additionally, we also provide sales and installation of all units, so if you’re looking to get a new air conditioning system – whether residential or commercial – we can help. Request a free quote from our team and get started.
Is your air conditioner old, damaged or in need of some TLC? Are you looking for a trusted supplier of residential or commercial air conditioning services? Hills Air Conditioning is proud to offer a comprehensive range of AC services. We supply and install numerous air conditioning systems manufactured by premium providers. We offer Fujitsu air conditioner installation and are experienced in providing innovative solutions for challenging situations. We will work closely with you to ensure your space is fitted out efficiently, whether you’re based in the Hills District, Lower North Shore, Upper North Shore, or the Eastern Suburbs. Professional Air Conditioning Technicians Always work with qualified professionals when considering purchasing a new AC system. AC installation is a complicated, technically exacting process that requires workers to have the skills and qualifications to install the unit safely. Training is often specific to different brands and models, so the technician who installs your AC unit must be qualified and able to complete the job to the brand’s specifications. Hills Air Conditioning offers safe and hassle-free Fujitsu air conditioner installation in Epping, Beecroft, Pymble and other nearby suburbs so that you can be sure your new Fujitsu AC unit is installed correctly and is working as expected when our engineers leave you. Types of AC Systems and Other Services We serve residential and commercial customers in the Sydney area, offering maintenance, repair, sale and installation services as part of our dedication to our customers. Among the kinds of systems and services we offer are the following: Multi-split AC system - usually comprises two separate pieces of equipment. Firstly, the engine of the system is the compressor. This component is heavy and often loud, so it is usually placed outside the property to minimise noise. The second part is called the evaporator, which is mounted in a room that requires cooling. For customer flexibility, the evaporator can be attached to a wall or ceiling or secured to the floor. Multiple evaporators can be connected to a single compressor. Ducted air conditioning systems - are often more expensive to purchase and install. Still, they offer an efficient means of providing climate control throughout your home, office or facility. A ducted air conditioning system is perfect for multi-story establishments; using ducts means cool air can be sent to each room separately, allowing you to cool individual rooms to different temperatures. Another advantage of ducted systems is their concealment in ceilings or walls, providing a more desirable aesthetic appearance. Use our preventative maintenance service to check your AC system regularly. Preventative servicing can save considerable time and money, testing your unit for faults and worn-out parts before they fail. It ensures your system works with maximum efficiency. Additionally, our AC breakdown services ensure your system is up and running immediately after a breakage, keeping you cool when needed. Most manufacturers recommend servicing your AC system at least twice per year, even more so if you have pets that malt and cause hair to become lodged in the system. Keeping all system parts clean and clear of blockages will guarantee that it works effectively. Proper servicing involves inspecting and cleaning the refrigeration parts, filters, ducting, electrical connections, and the ducting. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how much difference a clean AC system makes. A clean system means the air is cooler and more hygienic and doesn’t have a stale odour when blowing air. We are happy to chat with potential customers to ensure the optimal system is installed. For a comprehensive range of AC services, such as Fujitsu air conditioner installation, choose Hills Air Conditioning to provide you with quality and integrity throughout the design, installation and lifetime of your system.
We work closely with all our customers to ensure you choose the best units suited to your heating and cooling needs. Many customers wonder how hard it is to install a split-system air conditioner in Sydney.
As the peak Summer heat approaches, many Australians are enquiring about air conditioning installations. Hills Air Conditioning handles the supply and installation of air conditioning and ventilation systems. We service residential, commercial, and industrial projects of all sizes and complexities. Whether you need a small unit for your cottage, or extensive, ducted systems for a factory, our team has over 25 years of experience in the field and is up for any task. Keep reading to find out how much you would pay for an air conditioning installation in Sydney. Some Things to Consider When Calculating the Cost Due to the wide range of HVAC systems, it’s necessary to consider the various brands and sizes in light of a few factors. At Hills Air, we work with each client individually to determine which system would work best for you, given your specific needs. We stock a variety of systems, ranging from affordable options to more upper-end models. Here are some aspects that contribute to the overall cost: Type of HVAC system: At Hills Air Conditioning, we stock various HVAC systems, such as multi-split, wall-mounted, ducted, VRV multi-split and VRF recovery systems, water-cooled air conditioning and mechanical or forced ventilation systems. Please call us if you have any specific enquiries about these systems. Size of area: We’ll calculate the capacity you require for your system, and how many units you need, depending on the room or factory that needs heating or cooling. Budget: We work with you to choose the most effective HVAC solution based on your desires and budget. All our work is tailored to your individual needs. Number of zones: If you’ve chosen to install a ducted air conditioning system, including zones in your set up can allow you to have greater control of the airflow and change the temperature in each room. This optimises the energy efficiency of your HVAC system, but does require specific set up and installation so if this sounds interesting be sure to talk to your Hills Air representative for more information. Room specifications: We also consider other room factors such as the number of windows and the direction they’re facing which affects how heated they get from natural sunlight. Heating/ cooling requirements: Our team also works with you to determine the exact temperature range you’d like to maintain, and we’ll then select the most efficient way to achieve this. If you need to keep computers cool or any other such request, we’ll compare options and give you the best solution. Running costs: Modern HVAC systems are much more efficient to run. You’ll still want to calculate the energy cost to run your HVAC system to have a full picture of cost. We also handle maintenance and repair services for your convenience. What Will It cost? All this being said, each unit and installation will vary in cost, depending on your need.. We’ll work with you to determine the most affordable and efficient heating and cooling solution for your home or office. Whether you’re looking for a small residential unit or extensive ducted air conditioning in Sydney, our friendly and professional team is available. Contact us today for excellent customer service and an efficient air conditioning installation in Sydney.
AC Isn’t Blowing Out Cold Air When AC units don’t blow out cold air it’s usually because of a dirty or blocked air filter. Dirty air filters will block airflow and can also result in your condenser unit freezing up. To reduce the buildup of dirt, regularly clean your air filters at least once every 3 months, ideally once a month. Replace clogged or dirty filters with new ones when necessary. Condenser Has Frozen Outside When your outdoor unit freezes, there are a few possibilities as to the cause. This can happen due to poor airflow, low outside temperatures, low coolant levels, or motor problems. The first thing you should check if your condenser unit has frozen is your air filters to see if they need to be cleaned or replaced. The reason a dirty air filter can cause your condenser to freeze is that the evaporator coil connects to the condenser outside through a refrigerant line. When your filters aren’t properly maintained, the airflow suffers. While the refrigerant line normally removes heat from your house, lack of airflow means it can no longer pull the heat through this line and the refrigerant becomes abnormally cold and as a result, can freeze. Refrigerant Leak Refrigerant leaks cause changes in temperature which can cause a host of problems, such as high power consumption, reduced efficiency, a frozen evaporator coil, a damaged compressor, and uneven cooling. To prevent significant issues to your air quality and ensure your AC unit is working properly, have a professional inspect and fix and refrigerant leaks. Frozen Evaporator Coil As previously mentioned, dirty air filters are one of the most common AC problems that we encounter. It results in poor airflow that results in cooler temperatures in the evaporator coil and any present moisture will cause it to freeze over. Clean, clean, clean your air filters! A blocked air filter or a faulty fan is almost always the culprit. Leaking Water If humidity is high, some minor water leakage is considered normal and not a cause for concern. This can also happen when temperatures reach lower levels and cause the condenser or evaporator coil to freeze. Once temperatures rise again, this ice will melt. However, severe leaks can be caused by blocked or dirty filters, a blocked or improperly installed drain line, low coolant levels, or a broken condensate pan. Regular inspections and maintenance are vital to preventing issues that cause leaks. At Hills Air Conditioning, we check coolant levels, clean the system, and prevent the need for costly replacements by making minor repairs. AC Will Not Turn On If your air conditioner does not turn on, first check that the thermostat has fully operational batteries and that it is not due to a faulty setting. If the AC still will not turn on, you could have a tripped circuit breaker or there is a part in your AC system that is broken and needs replacement. If you had many electrical appliances plugged in at once, it’s more likely the circuit breaker. Simply flip the switch off and on to fix this. If it doesn’t come back on, check if you’ve blown a fuse. Your thermostat could also need to be replaced if it is no longer working. Hot Air If your air conditioner is blowing out hot air, this is typically caused by one of three things: blocked or dirty air filters, an overheated compressor, or low refrigerant levels. As always, you should first check that your filters are super clean. Blocked air filters can cause an overheated compressor. Once your compressor overheats, it can become damaged and may need to be replaced. You should also avoid excessively turning the AC system on and off, as this can damage connections between the compressor and fan. This may be the case if the fan motor is making loud noises. Finally, low refrigerant levels suggest that you have a leak. Book AC Maintenance Services With Hills Air Conditioning You’ve probably noticed a common thread throughout these popular air conditioning issues? When it comes to troubleshooting your AC, the importance of keeping your air filters clean can not be overstated. We recommend that you regularly clean your air filters yourself at least every 3 months and have them professionally cleaned every year. Service and maintenance prevent costly repairs and system replacements so you can get many more years out of your AC system.