With the subtropical climate we have at Whitsunday Islands, most of us resort to running our air conditioner non-stop. Although this can relieve the heat and discomfort, it has a blow to our electric bills. Therefore, it is important to learn a trick or two to save energy while using your air conditioner at home. Here, we listed five efficient ways to use your air conditioner you probably haven’t heard of.

 

Settle for Limiting Humidity in Favourable Level

When we hear the word humidity, what comes to mind is:

• Heat
• Discomfort
• Irritation

But the fact is we need a level of humidity to feel comfortable, which is neither too cold nor too hot. When we run our air conditioner on max, we are decreasing the humidity level beyond the comfortable degree. This is why we feel discomfort when staying in a room with a very low temperature.

Aside from causing discomfort, running your AC to its max is not energy-efficient. The longer you have the AC on, and the lower the temperature is set, the more energy your unit consumes. The key here is to settle for a limiting humidity to a favourable degree, 18-21 degree Celsius will be enough.

 

Avoid using the auto mode

At first, it may appear that the auto mode feature is convenient, but you’ll soon realize that it’s not because it consumes more energy.

When the air conditioner is set in its auto mode, it works to ensure the room maintains a constant temperature. As a result, you are automating your aircon to heat up your room when the temperature drops and cool it back again when it gets warm.

 

Make use of the timer features

Running the air conditioner when no one is in the room or at the coolest part of the day is a waste of electricity. It is one of the reasons your energy bill blows up. So for more efficient use of your AC, you can set the timer feature to ensure that it only turns on when people are indoors or about to get home.

 

Avoid the use of heat-emitting appliances

Several factors lead to excess heat in your house. Limiting the use of such contributors to excess heat is one means of keeping your indoor cool without causing the air conditioner to work at maximum. Should you need to use the oven or dishwasher or iron clothes, try to postpone these activities until nighttime when the temperature normally drops.

 

Have your air conditioner regularly serviced

You will see a difference in the energy bill if you deal with a well-maintained air conditioner as opposed to one that has been ignored. Having your unit tested once a year will save your air conditioner from a lot of wear and tear, not to mention lower your energy cost.

Do you need a reliable HVAC technician to service your air conditioner at home? Send us a message today

In the event of a power outage, someone in your house or workplace must turn the manual switch for your generator to work. This can be considered impractical and time-consuming. So in today’s blog, we will share with you a practical solution to that problem – an automatic changeover switch.

A Closer Look at Automatic Changeover Switch

When combined with a working generator, the automatic changeover switch transforms the generator into a self-contained appliance that can turn on and off in coordination with the local power grid. This entails that when the electricity in your house goes off, the generator starts automatically. This is even when no one is present to turn it on. As soon as electricity is restored, the generator will shut down and return the electricity source to the main power grid.

 

Is an Automatic Changeover Switch Worth It?

Here are some of the benefits of adding an automatic changeover switch to your generator:

 

Promotes Safety

Handling power sources manually puts you and others at risk of injuries, including electrocution. This is particularly true during a thunderstorm or when there is a sudden blackout in the entire area. So, an automatic changeover switch installed by a qualified electrician can ensure safety within your home and workplace.

 

Convenience

Imagine you are sleeping peacefully in an air-conditioned room and the power suddenly goes off. Isn’t it a hassle to get up off the bed and walk your way to the generator to press the manual switch? What if you do not have an emergency light nearby?

With an automatic changeover switch, you can continue your peaceful rest since it will automatically convert the power source to the generator. It is also convenient when you are working from home since it will ensure that your work will not be interrupted by a sudden power outage.

 

Reliability in Business

A power outage can spell disaster in business. An hour of power loss can cause income and prospective clients or customers. Although a generator provides some assurance that your business will not fail even with a power outage; it still needs to be manually turned on, if you are using a regular switch.

An automatic changeover switch ensures that electricity is uninterrupted for your business. To ensure that your business operates like clockwork, installing an automatic changeover switch to your generator is recommended.

 

Conclusion

To ensure that it is assembled securely, a licensed electrician shall be contracted for the installation of an automatic changeover switch. The conversion switch shall be connected to your property’s main breaker box by a qualified electrician exclusively.

Are you interested in installing an automatic changeover switch for your business or home? Talk to us today!

Winter is coming to Whitsunday Island! This means the need to adjust your ceiling fans and reverse split type of air conditioning systems. Therefore, you would want to get your home ready before the winds start to get chilly.

 

Here are some of the things you might want to consider when preparing your home for Whitsunday winter.

 

Tip no.1: Run an electrical system inspection

Examine the wiring, ports, connectors, switches, and other electrical components inside your home. These devices get weakened or wear out over time. If you didn’t inspect these after summer, some of your electrical devices have likely been damaged by now. Some may even need to be repaired or in some instances replaced to limit the possibility of electrical accidents.

Not sure how to do a proper inspection of your electrical system? A licensed electrician in Whitsundays can help you with that! Call us on (07) 49 461 356 / 0409 368 754.

Tip no. 2: Add An Additional Power Outlet When Necessary

Most of the time, electrical accidents occur due to the overloading of power outlets. As your family spends more time indoors expect the simultaneous use of appliances. So to help accommodate the increased usage of electricity, it is recommended to add more power outlets to your home.

A licensed electrician can install additional power outlets for your home after an electrical inspection. Avoid DIY installation of power outlets as this can cause more accidents like a short circuit.

 

Tip no. 3: Maximize Some of Your Appliances

You might not be aware yet but some of your home appliances have a heating mechanism for winter. With the type of mild winter we have at Whitsunday, these heating features shall suffice.

Your reverse split type air conditioner has a reverse feature you can use to heat your room. Instead of using a bar heater that’s not very energy efficient, it is better to use your AC as an alternative. Likewise, your ceiling fan can be used to heat your verandah by setting the blades to a clockwise direction.

Tip no. 4: Prepare An Electrical System Checklist

An electrical system checklist is an important thing to have at home. It guarantees that you will not forget or miss any necessary maintenance and repair your electrical system needs. Here, we included some pointers you should include in your home electrical system checklist for winter.

What should you include in your checklist?

• Electrical device inspection including switches, fuses, adaptors, wirings, plugs, smoke alarms, circuit breakers, and appliances.
• Locating your home’s main power source and ensuring that you can easily reach the place in case of a sudden power outage. You can also check if the switches inside the switchboard are properly labelled and working.
• Ensure that your electrical system is safe from water leakage on roofs, ceiling, walls, and floor. It will also help to check if your air conditioner is leaking.
• Trim the tree branches and other obstructions to your power line outdoors.
• Turn off appliances when not in use before going to bed.
• Ensure that no appliances are left plugged in when going outdoors.

 

Conclusion

Doing the activities listed above can make your home safe from various electrical accidents this winter. Although there are several things on the list that you can do by yourself, always remember to consult a reliable electrician when necessary.

Need help with an electrical inspection? Talk to us today!

If you are looking for an AC contractor in the Whitsundays for the first time, you may encounter dishonest offers. Therefore, we have listed some of the things you can look for to pick a reliable contractor. Follow these tips to make sure you find a reputable business.

 

 

Choose the one that other people trust

When you are uncertain which AC contractor to hire, the best thing to start with is looking at contractors with trustworthy reputations in the market. Knowing the recommendations of their previous clients is a good measure for the quality of service they deliver. Often, satisfied clients are happy to share their experience with a good contractor; while disappointed clients easily post their grudges on social media. So, take time to read online feedback and reviews.

You may also ask around, especially with your friends or relatives, because they will most likely point you out to a trusted contractor.

 

Don’t Just Compare Quotes

It’s expensive enough to purchase an air conditioning unit, that’s why it’ll be good if the service charges for maintenance and repair are within your budget. But as the rates of aircon service charges vary, then you may first want to do some research for you to find the contractor with not only the best price offer. One way to do this is by comparing the different services included in their quote. Use this to decide which among them you should consider.

Consider the contractor’s experience

Years of experience represent the competence a service provider has in the industry. So, hiring a contractor who has been in operation for several years is a wise decision. This gives you the guarantee of their wide experience in handling AC emergencies and knowledge with advancements in air conditioning technology is more than sufficient to address your concerns.

TIP: If a contractor has been in the business for a long time and they have good reviews, it just means that many people trust them and continuously use their services. So, that’s a plus factor you should consider.

 

Look out for promos and deals

Some contractors provide their customers with incentives such as discounts and loyalty benefits. As it is rather expensive to maintain an AC at home, the air conditioning service that comes with benefits is advantageous.

One of the perks you should look for in an air conditioning service is the warranty. A longer warranty shows how confident the contractor is with the service they deliver. This also gives you the assurance they are providing their ultimate best all the time.

 

Are they a service agent

You can get many different contractors to install an air conditioner, however, if there is a problem in the future, are they also the service agent that can repair or replace the unit if there is a problem. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you check when hiring a contractor if they are also a service agent of the product being installed.

 

As a service agent, there are added licences, compliance and conditions that they have to comply to. These conditions will ensure the safety of their clients as well as their employees. Some of the conditions are as follows:

• Employees’ insurance and benefits
• Public liability insurance
• Compliance with work protection requirements

So, when an AC contractor presents a license to you, then it is their guarantee that they are following laws and protocols.

 

Conclusion

Are you looking for a reliable and trusted air conditioning contractor in the Whitsundays? Air Conditioning Whitsundays (ACW) is a registered AC contractor with vast years of experience. We can provide you with the best air conditioning maintenance and repair services a contractor can offer. Talk to us today to learn more.

An air conditioner is an ABSOLUTE MUST in areas like Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Proserpine and Whitsundays, especially with the consistently hot and humid temperature of the region. This makes living unbearable without the aid of aircon. Thus, it is always best to make sure that your air conditioning system is always at its top condition.

 

 

Moreover, a clean and well-maintained air conditioner is proven to have a good impact on your health. This provides more reason for us to have our air conditioners regularly serviced. Here we listed some of the health benefits of a well-maintained air conditioner.

Clean filters are allergen-free

Among the parts of an air conditioner,  it is the filter that accumulates the most dirt. This happens when the mud-like structure starts forming on the filter. As a result, it becomes the breeding grounds of disease-causing bacteria. So, unless you regularly get this cleaned, your family will most likely breathe in these harmful microorganisms.

What may happen if you don’t get this cleaned?

Prolonged exposure to air that contains such germs can lead to allergies. Itchy and reddening eyes are one of the early symptoms of this allergy. The condition can worsen into flu or other respiratory infection upon continuous subjection to unclean air.

Is it advisable to do the aircon cleaning on your own?

To solve this problem, some homeowners think that doing it themselves is okay. However, we advise that you do otherwise and let a licensed air conditioner specialist do the cleaning for you.

Why?

Although it may seem an easy task to clean your air conditioner’s filter, you cannot guarantee that you’ve done it properly. For once, a normal cleaning agent you use at home may not be sufficient to kill the germs. You might even have the risk of leaving a thin layer of dirt which will be harder to clean once deep-seated.

Therefore, to make sure that your filters are clean and allergen-free, it is recommended to have your AC serviced regularly.

Better aircon performance can help avoid heatstroke

The threat of experiencing heatstroke is very alarming on areas around Whitsunday Island. According to Whitsunday Times, heatstroke is a concern to both children and the elderly in the area. Even though the air conditioning system helps alleviate the extreme heat, it cannot do so without proper maintenance.

Your air conditioner needs regular cleaning, checking, and sometimes repair, so it can function well all the time. If left unattended by a qualified specialist, your air conditioners will more likely malfunction. It can even have a hard time performing in this state.

To ensure that your air conditioner won’t fail, we advise having it checked thoroughly before and after summer.

Well-maintained AC combats humidity

High relative humidity is a common problem among areas with tropical climate conditions. The muggy atmosphere, accompanied by the hot temperature is very uncomfortable and can lead to feeling ill. Moreover, high relative humidity makes it hard for us to perspire which is supposed to be our natural cooling mechanism.

This problem in humidity is fortunately manageable by using the air conditioner as a dehumidifier. But then again, it will only work when your AC is in its prime condition.

Air conditioners do wonders in our daily living. It betters not only the ambiance of our indoors but also our health. Thus, having your air conditioner regularly maintained is important so it can continuously make our life comfortable.

Getting the right air conditioning specialist is a must in areas like Whitsunday Island. With the climate being a warm tropical year-round, the last thing you’ll want is a poorly serviced AC.

But with several contractors offering air conditioning services out there, how would you pick the best one?

If you are a first homeowner who recently moved to Whitsunday Island, looking for an AC specialist can be challenging. Likewise for old residents who wished to find another contractor who can offer better services. To help you find your long-term air conditioning contractor, we listed some qualities a good AC specialist must-have.

A good AC specialist is licensed and experienced

License and experience must come together. Firstly, air conditioning contractors in QLD are supposed to carry a license to operate. This is a minimum requirement which they should be able to show their clients upon enquiry. Therefore, if you have doubts about whether you should hire a certain contractor, you are free to check their license.

This license further shows the contractor’s credibility. As part of the conditions to obtain a license, a contractor must agree with the following:

• Workers’ insurance
• Service warranty
• Continuous learning on the field

This can guarantee that you’ll be hiring a responsible tradesman who is also knowledgeable in his job.

Now, most if not all of the contractors you’ll come across in your search are licensed. That is where experience plays its role. Experience is the tiebreaker between licensed contractors. As the old sayings go, “Experience is the best teacher”. Undeniably, a contractor with more years in the industry knows a lot more than the budding ones.

Moreover, service providers such as an air conditioning contractor thrive in people’s trust. Thus, several years in business speak a lot of how an AC specialist is trusted by its clients. You can never go wrong in taking experience as a measure.

Consider a Local and Accessible Contractor

A malfunctioning air conditioner during hot weather is distressing. This is the reason you should consider hiring a local contractor. An AC contractor that operates within the area is more accessible than those outsides. The proximity allows a more urgent response when your air conditioner suddenly acts up.

Local contractors are also knowledgeable about the area’s climate and other factors that must be considered when installing an AC system. Amount of rainfall, average temperature and relative humidity have a lot to do with the air conditioner’s maintenance. Thus, letting a local contractor handle what they are very familiar with is a good decision.

Look for some Perks within the Contract

A reliable service is good enough, but if there are perks to go with it, what else could you ask for?

We at Air Conditioning Whitsundays offer a 12 months installation warranty to our clients. This is to ensure that they are getting the most of what they paid for. Apart from that, we also offer a 5 years warranty on all our Mitsubishi Aircon Products.