Tag: air conditioning

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Appliances Expert Tips RENO ADDICT Smart Home

Best air con Australia: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries win 3 years running

Real photo of a green armchair, pink couch, gold tables with flowers and wooden rack with plants in botanic living room interior

Sponsored by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia

It’s official. Australia has a favourite brand of air conditioner. For the third year running, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners have been recognised by CHOICE as the best air conditioner brand in Australia and awarded Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Award for the second year in a row in the air conditioners category.

Built for dependability and energy efficiency, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA) are solid, no fuss units, that have won back-to-back awards for happy customers and reliability.

The respected CHOICE annual recommendation is awarded to products or services that out-perform their competitors in rigorous lab tests, customer satisfaction and reliability over the last 12 months. Overall, MHIAA out-performed all other brands with an overall Best Brand Score of 71%, to be awarded the Best Brand of Air Conditioners in 2020.

Canstar Blue’s annual air-conditioner review rates air-conditioning brands on functionality and features, noise, ease of use, reliability, value for money and overall consumer satisfaction. From a survey of over 1,000 participants, MHIAA was the only brand to receive a five-star rating for overall satisfaction to take out the 2020 Award.

Innovation

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries develop cutting edge technology across the energy, space, aviation, automotive and environment sectors, which extends to their innovative air-conditioners, built for the harsh Australian summer.

Design award

The awards don’t stop at quality and efficiency though. The Avanti PLUS model is as efficient as it is stylish. It won Australia’s highest honour for design and innovation at the 61st annual Good Design Awards in recognition of its outstanding design and innovation.

It’s one of the quietest split systems on the market and incorporates an energy-saving motion sensor and improved automatic mode for even more precise temperature control. It also incorporates MHIAA’s ‘Clean Air Technology’ which captures and neutralises fine smoke particles, allergens, odours bacteria and viruses.

5 reasons to choose a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries air conditioner

  1. Named by CHOICE® as best air conditioner brand three years in a row
  2. Recognised by Canstar blue as having most satisfied customers two years in a row
  3. Highest rating on productreview.com.au achieving 4.7 stars out of 5
  4. Clean air technology
  5. Cheapest running costs.

For more information on MHIAA air conditioners

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RENO ADDICT Shopping

How to choose the right air conditioner for your home

With summer well and truly upon us, Australians are searching for the one… and by the one, of course we are referring to the perfect air conditioner!

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For those who are looking to guarantee this summer’s forecast as sunny with 100% chance of being cool, The Good Guys appliance experts have pulled together a fail-safe way to help you choose the right air conditioner for you…

Types of air-conditioning:

If you’re looking to keep all rooms of the house cool at once a split system is the way to go. These air conditioners are made up of two parts, with one part attached to the internal wall of your home and the other sitting on the outside to exhaust heat out. These usually cost less to install and provide flexibility as you can choose separate units for each room of the house

A reverse system refers to air conditioners that provide both cooling and heating functions, coming in very handy during the cold winter months

Air conditioners with inverters are your kind of cooling system if minimal noise is important to you – these are often the quietest. They can also vary the temperature of the air they produce, rather than stopping and starting, as well as being cheaper to run and helping you achieve your desired room temperature more quickly – although they can be slightly more expensive

Multi-split air conditioners connect multiple indoor units to a single outdoor condenser, meaning there is usually less work involved in installing them, but a single control station operates the whole system, so individual room temperatures aren’t possible

How big should you go?

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When buying air conditioners, a big consideration is how powerful the device needs to be to adequately cool your home, keeping you comfortable throughout the warmest of summer nights. Air conditioner capacity is rated by British Thermal Unit (BTU) and power output in kilowatts. Buying the right size unit is very important as air conditioners that are too big will use more energy, while under-sized ones will not cool the room sufficiently – so think about the size of your room first.

For a living room measuring 30 square metres approximately 3.75kW will be needed and around 125 watts per square metre, allowing a constant level of comfort for you to entertain your friends

For a bedroom, as a rough guide, 80 watts of power per square metre should be enough to keep the room cool enough to allow you and your family to fall peacefully to sleep

Bells and whistles:

Now that you have made the decision to buy an air conditioner, you can’t go past a few extra bells and whistles that will shoot you to the top of the cool list this summer. Even though some features tend to be more expensive, here is a list of common extras that are worth taking a look at:

  • Remote control
  • Timer
  • Sleep timer
  • Dehumidifier
  • Reverse cycle for heating
  • Slide-out chassis for easier installation
  • Mosquito traps
  • Air filter to remove odours, smoke and germs

For more information.

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Appliances

How to choose an air con system

With the summer heat well and truly upon us, now’s a better time than ever to consider investing in good quality air-con and dispose of the old fan that’s only blowing the heat around in circles. Below, The Good Guys appliance expert offers valuable advice to help you find the perfect air con to beat the heat this summer, and fit within your budget and needs.

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1. Step one is selecting the size. Consider how large your home is and therefore how much power you need from your air con. An air conditioner that is too large will use more energy than necessary, whilst one that is too small will not cool the home efficiently. As a rough guide, 80 watts of power per square metre is enough for a bedroom, whilst living rooms may require around 125 watts per square metre. In other words, the larger the living space, the larger the air-con power needs to be.

2. The next decision that needs to be made is what type of air conditioner you would like:

  • Split system: One part of the air conditioner is inside the home whilst the other sits outside the home to exhaust heat out. They are low-cost to install and can be installed in several rooms which provides flexibility.
  • Reverse system: A reverse system air conditioner can provide a heating and cooling function, and therefore are also useful during winter.
  • Inverter system: These air conditioners can vary the temperature of the air they produce, as opposed to stopping and starting. Therefore, they are quieter and cheaper to run – however they are more expensive.
  • Multi systems: Multi-split air conditioners connect multiple indoor units to a single outdoor condenser, and therefore require less ductwork. However, a single control operates the whole system, so individual room temperatures are not possible.

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3. It is also important to consider what features or extra functions you require. Common extras available include remote control, timer, dehumidifier, reverse cycle for heating, slide-out chassis, mosquito traps and air filters. Understandably, the more extras, the more expensive the air conditioner will be.

4. Another concept to consider is the energy efficiency. Air conditioners are rated on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most energy-efficient. Heating and cooling will have two separate ratings.

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5. The last step is deciding on an installer. Air conditioners often include manufacturer’s warranties, so to ensure you’re covered under the warranty if something goes wrong, professional installation is mandatory.

Visit The Good Guys’ website for more information.

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Appliances Expert Tips

There’s no need to compromise on style to keep your home cool

As creatures of comfort, our demand for air conditioning has grown and is now valued as a necessary inclusion, rather than a luxury. This demand has driven design changes, so that it’s now possible to be completely comfortable indoors all year round – and in many cases not even notice the air grilles or a neat, compact unit mounted on the wall. Combined with advanced features and sleek, slimline designs, air conditioning has become more stylish and cost-effective to run than ever before!

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But with a variety of air conditioning systems on offer, on a hot day it can be all too tempting to rush out to the nearest shopping centre to buy any type! However, it is best to speak with a licenced air conditioning specialist first for their advice on what system will best suit the needs of your home.

In terms of air conditioning systems there is reverse cycle air conditioning, which provides relief from the heat during summer whilst keeping the home warm and cosy during the cooler months. There are also ducted air conditioning systems, which are an ideal whole-home solution for design-conscious homeowners, having ventilation grilles fixed inconspicuously within ceilings or floors. They also offer more comfort and flexibility, allowing users greater temperature control over different zones. Finally, for apartment dwellers, a wall mounted system is a viable solution. Fixed high on a wall, these are unobtrusive and great for smaller spaces, such as a bedroom or living room.

But if you’re still a little unsure on what system would best suit your home, Fujitsu General have developed a checklist to help homeowners determine the most suitable air conditioning system for their home, as well as general tips to maintain it.

Pre-purchase considerations

  • Only licenced contractors can install air conditioning. An experienced technician should be able to offer advice on which brands have a reliable track record, comprehensive warranties and strong customer support. This also adds peace of mind and flexibility when it comes to scheduling ongoing maintenance.
  • Know the space – a system that’s too big or too small will be costly and inefficient.
  • Online tools such as Fujitsu’s Economatch calculator can help homeowners easily find the right air conditioning system for their home. Simply enter basic details – such as room measurements, insulation and the direction windows face – to find the best match.
  • An air conditioning system can be a long-term solution, if adequately cared for. As such, it’s important not to rush into selecting an air conditioner on a whim. Do due diligence and make sure the solution chosen is right for the job.
  • It’s a huge advantage to select a system that operates with minimal noise, as this lessens the likelihood of upsetting neighbours with unwelcome disruptions. It’s a good idea to check with the local council to ensure the air conditioner complies with the council’s noise regulations.
  • Prevent cool air from escaping by installing or replacing insulation batts, as well as sealing draughts under doors with weather strips and filling in cracks along windows using sealants.

Smart tips for an efficient system

  • Use timers: program the system to turn on at a low-speed before waking and before returning home from work or school. This avoids operation at full power during peak times. Program the system to shut down just before leaving the house or going to sleep.
  • Manage temperature control: the ideal temperature range in summer is 21°C to 23°C. One degree of extra heat increases energy consumption by up to 10 per cent.
  • Only cool the rooms being used: keep doors and windows closed and for homes with ducted air conditioning, use zone control features to close vents.
  • Embrace sensor controls: this functionality can positively reduce energy consumption by switching to energy-saving mode when no activity is detected in the room.
  • Clean or change the air filter and grills: these cavities accumulate dust and debris throughout the year.
  • Like a car, air conditioning operates more efficiently when properly maintained. Book a check-up with a licensed technician every two years to ensure your air conditioner stays healthy over 10 to 15 years.

– Fujitsu General is Australia’s leading supplier of air conditioning products, stocking a wide range of reverse cycle air conditioners to meet the specific needs of every Australian home.

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Appliances

Save up to 30% off your air con bill with smart new app

The smart upgrade for any remote-controlled air conditioner, the soon to launch Ambi Climate by Ambi Labs, is a small, sleek, personalised system that sees your smartphone or tablet become your remote.

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Yet well that in itself is useful, the real genius part is that this device also provides a tailored AC experience, by learning from your usage patterns and remembering your individual temperature preferences. What this means is throughout the day, Ambi Climate’s algorithms combine the insights from your preferences and behaviour with those collected from sensor data in order to adjust your AC settings. It even factors in the performance level of your air conditioner. The end result? More accurate air conditioning, fewer temperature fluctuations and energy and money savings.

With the ability to save you 30 percent on AC energy consumption by minimising wasteful overcooling and temperature fluctuations, the companion app also provides you with useful energy saving notifications that let you know when it is suitable to open a window and turn off the AC, or when it’s time to clean the AC filter.

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A plug and play system that makes life easier, simpler and more enjoyable, Ambi Climate requires no hardware or specialist installation, just plug it in, connect to WiFi, download the app and watch it work with your existing AC. Available to buy via their Kickstarter page for the current price of US$99, it took only nine hours for Ambi Labs to bypass their funding goal of US$25,000. Now, with over US$80,000 raised, production has begun, with early bird backers expected to receive their unit by November.

Check out this simple infographic below to learn how you can save with Ambi Climate:

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Expert Tips

Top tips for keeping your home warmer this winter

There’s no denying winter has arrived, which makes now a great time to look around the home and consider simple improvements to positively improve heating efficiency and energy management, and get yourself some smaller power bills.

Fujitsu General have come up with some hot (pardon the pun) tips for us, from general DIY solutions to air conditioning system maintenance, to maximise indoor comfort during the colder months.

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For homes with reverse cycle air conditioning:

  1. Use timers: program the system to turn on at a slow speed before waking and before returning home from work or school. This avoids operation at full power during peak times. Program the system to shut down just before leaving the house or going to sleep.
  2. Manage temperature control: the ideal temperature range in winter is 21°C to 23°C. One degree of extra heat increases energy consumption by up to 10 per cent.
  3. Only heat the rooms being used: keep doors and windows closed and for homes with ducted air conditioning, use zone control features to close vents.
  4. Clean or change the air filter and grills: these cavities accumulate dust and debris throughout the year.
  5. Have the system serviced by a licensed technician every two years. A healthy system operates more efficiently and lasts longer.

General DIY tips:

  1. Seal draughts under doors with weather strips or door snakes.
  2. Fill small gaps and cracks around windows with sealant.
  3. Consider installing or replacing roof insulation.
  4. Decorate with warm colours: rooms filled with warm tones such as orange, yellow and red can influence how cold people feel. Brighten the room – and make it feel warmer – with new cushions or throw rugs for the season.