Tag: Fujitsu

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5 easy tips to keep your air conditioning costs down

The winter chill and rising energy costs are hitting Australians simultaneously. While homeowners research alternative energy providers to minimise their spending this season, Kyle Rafter of Fujitsu General, offers some advice for those with an existing air conditioning system to help minimise energy consumption and maximise comfort.

Keep the air conditioning unit clean

Dust and debris can build up on both the indoor and outdoor units, restricting airflow. This can cause the system to work harder, leading to higher energy usage and increased running costs. Keep dust away by wiping down the outdoor unit and cleaning indoor unit filters regularly; this will ensure the system is ready when needed.

Have the system serviced by a licensed technician

Fujitsu General recommends a full service every one to two years depending on use. Keeping your unit maintained will ensure it is running at peak performance.

Use timers

Program the air conditioner to turn on automatically during off-peak times to heat the room before waking and before returning home from work or school. This avoids operation at full power during peak times and lowers demand on the unit.

Only heat the rooms being used: keep doors and windows closed and, for homes with a ducted system, use zone control features to heat specific areas.

Adopt Wi-Fi technology for remote control

Smart technology makes it easy to control an air conditioner remotely using a smartphone or tablet. If you have left home and forgotten to turn your air conditioner off, the Fujitsu General anywAiR technology range currently includes a Wi-Fi adaptor compatible with Fujitsu Lifestyle range indoor units; and the anywAiR technology ducted controller for ducted systems.

(Alternatively there are third party gadgets you can use to make any air con a smart one).

Set the right temperature

Don’t be tempted to increase the indoor temperature to heat a space faster as this can put unnecessary pressure on the system and contribute to an increase in energy use. In winter, setting the temperature between 19°C to 21°C will assist in minimising energy consumption.

For more on Fujitsu General’s latest air conditioners.

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Appliances Expert Tips

Get the most out of your air conditioner this winter

Once installed, knowing how to use your air conditioner correctly will help maximise indoor comfort and minimise energy consumption. Fujitsu General share the top five most common questions customers should ask before buying, and using, a reverse cycle air conditioning system:  

How do air conditioners compare with other heating methods? 
When temperatures drop, all that’s important is creating a warm environment to unwind in. Reverse cycle air conditioning is one of the most energy-efficient ways of heating a room and doubles as a cooling method during summer. While gas and electricity prices vary from state to state, ongoing innovations in technology and features make reverse cycle air conditioning a smart way to create a comfortable environment all-year-round in a single room or the whole house.

What is the ideal temperature to set an air conditioner in winter?
When the temperature outside is freezing, it can be very tempting to raise the air conditioning temperature indoors to heat the home faster. Setting the temperature high doesn’t necessarily warm the room faster and can actually put pressure on the unit by making it work harder for longer to try to achieve the desired temperature. 

In winter, ensure the air conditioner mode is changed to heating, and set the temperature at a recommended 19 degrees celsius, to create a comfortable environment while minimising energy consumption.

What technology do air conditioners use and can they offer smart home connectivity?
Smart technology can make it easy to control an air conditioner using a smartphone, tablet, or using voice command when available. This means indoor comfort can be managed throughout the day, even if you’re home!

How can you compare efficiency between air conditioner models? 
The easiest way to compare efficiencies on wall-mounted split systems is to look at the energy star rating for both heating and cooling modes. The better the star rating, the more energy efficient the system is! 

Blue stars rate cooling efficiency and red stars assess heating.  The new labels provide a seasonal efficiency rating for three distinct climate zones across Australia: HOT, AVERAGE and COLD. The star ratings on the new label reflect how the air conditioner will perform in different climate zones and allows an estimated annual electricity figure to be calculated. They also compare the energy management features and consider which will be more useful and effective in your home. 

What are the best ways to minimise energy usage when running an air conditioner?

  • Clean the filters or replace them regularly: During regular use, filters within the air conditioning unit accumulate dust, which if left uncleaned, can reduce airflow and diminish the performance of the air conditioner. Clean dust from reusable filters with a vacuum cleaner or wash in mild soap and water each month. For disposable filters, replace as required according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  
  • Have the system serviced by a licensed technician
    Fujitsu General recommends a professional service every one to two years, depending on usage, to ensure maximum efficiency.  
  • Utilise in-built timers: Program the system to turn on to heat the room before waking and turn off during sleep. This avoids running the unit all night and day at times where air conditioning is not required. 
  • Only heat the rooms being used: Keep doors and windows closed to avoid heat escaping. For homes with ducted air conditioning use zone control features if available to close vents. 
  • Don’t set the temperature too high: Setting the temperature high doesn’t warm the room faster and puts unnecessary pressure on the system, contributing to an increase in energy use.

For more information

Energy efficiency tips (by appliance and by room) in your home

With World Environment Day coming up this Saturday 5 June, Colin Jones, category expert at Appliances Online, has compiled all his favourite tips and tricks to help you create an…
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Choosing aircon: some things to consider

With temperatures rising well above average this summer, Australians are relying on air conditioning to escape the heat during the day, and to help them sleep at night.

For those thinking of buying a new system to provide relief from the summer heat, it’s important to choose the correct system so your home is cooled efficiently, and continues to deliver indoor comfort for seasons to come.

Kyle Rafter, National Product Manager, Fujitsu General Australia, provides the following buying tips to help find the most efficient and cost-effective air conditioning solution for the home.

Measure up – before speaking to an air conditioning specialist, it’s a good idea to know the number and size of rooms that require cooling; the direction the building is facing and whether there’s insulation.

Request a heat load assessment –A heat load assessment is an important component of the quote process conducted by an air conditioning specialist. This is to ensure the correct size and type of air conditioning system is specified and installed, providing the user with the most efficient solution. New residential air conditioning standards contain clear guidelines for specialists to adhere to these requirements.

Stamp of approval – look for air conditioning units that have a stamp of approval. The Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand and Finder’s retail awards are based on consumer opinions of which brand is most trusted and recommended by them.

Star ratings – A range of air conditioning units include a star rating for heating mode and cooling mode. The better the star rating, the more energy efficient the unit performs.

Demo run – after installation, installers are required to provide a demonstration showing how to correctly use the air conditioning unit and controller. This helps users understand optimal temperature settings, how to set up weekly timers to only cool the home when required, and how to change reverse cycle units from cooling to heating mode at the change of seasons.

Operating an air conditioning unit that is more than 10 years old, can contribute to higher energy usage. Newer models are more technologically advanced and more efficient with new energy management features such as Human Sensor Control, economy mode and weekly timers.

For more information